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Homemade Chicken Shawarma

This Chicken Shawarma is packed with bright, delicious flavors and contrasting textures, and it takes just 30 minutes or less to make! Serve them in pita wraps,  tortilla wraps or, lettuce cups for a low-carb option.

Easy Homemade Chicken Shawarma

CHICKEN SHAWARMA RECIPE

If you’re craving authentic shawarma, but you don’t want to hit the streets or go to the local takeout place, then try making this chicken shawarma recipe at home! The best part about it is that this chicken shawarma recipe comes together quickly and easily, so you can enjoy it whenever the mood strikes! To make delicious shawarma at home, just follow the steps below.

BEYOND MEDITERRANEAN

Shawarma is popular in African countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana. However, the African version adds some flare to the traditional middle eastern Shawarma.
It is created using easy to get sweet, savory, and tangy spices which all come together to create a highly seasoned marinated slices of meat.
If you want more wrap recipes, I have compiled a list here – Delicious Chicken Wrap Recipes.
Easy Homemade Chicken Shawarma

What is Shawarma?

Shawarma is a Middle Eastern Recipe. It is made with thinly sliced roasted Meat (Lamb, Chicken, Turkey, or veal) wrapped in flatbread.  It looks a lot like Gyro but still differs in so many ways.

A little Background

I first tasted shawarma, when I was in my early twenties and I immediately fell in love with it.

After I left home, I have been thinking about making my own homemade Shawarma. Not the middle eastern version but the type I ate in the days.  I’ve finally gotten around to experimenting with my own recipe and documenting it.

After getting a hang of it, I served it to my family and they enjoyed the experience. That is why this recipe is very special to me and the rest of my family and I hope you like it as much as I do.

Sauces for Shawarma

While Tahini sauce or Yogurt sauce are the most common sauces used for Shawarma recipes, I will like to introduce you to a delectable easy to put together African Shawarma sauce (especially in Nigeria).

We use a mixture of Ketchup and Mayonnaise. A hint of pepper is kind of a must in making this Shawarma sauce, so I used a little bit of Cayenne pepper. Red pepper flakes will work just as well. If you don’t want that extra little heat, then you can skip it.

Easy Homemade Chicken Shawarma

How do you eat Chicken Shawarma?

While wraps are the most common way to serve shawarma, they can also be used in Chicken salad, for sandwiches, served over Rice, and you can also snack on it!

Serving Shawarma in Crunchy Lettuce cups is also a delightful change of pace from the regular. It’s a good alternative for low carb eaters without compromise on taste.

You can see how I made my pita wraps here.

Easy Homemade Chicken Shawarma

NOTES FOR CHICKEN SHAWARMA RECIPE

  1. You can replace Chicken with either Turkey, Beef, Veal, Lamb, Goat or a mixture of two or more of these meats.
  2. You can also skip Hot dog if you prefer. Some also like to add French fries to theirs.
  3. I used Tortilla wraps and Pita bread for this recipe, but other flatbreads such as Chapati or Roti will work well.
  4. Make sure to pat dry the chicken before adding the spices because excess water in the Chicken will water down the spices.
  5. I used boneless and skinless chicken thighs because it yields a nice taste and texture after cooking (my own opinion).
  6. You can skip the seasoning powder if you want to just replace it with about 1/4Tsp of salt or simply add salt to taste.

If you liked this Easy Homemade Chicken Shawarma recipe, you may also like some of my other oven grilled recipes:

Easy Homemade Chicken Shawarma

Easy Homemade Chicken Shawarma

Chicken Shawarma is a Middle Eastern Recipe and Nigeria’s version adds some flare to it.You can prepare Shawarma using a rotisserie, gill it outdoor or bake in the Oven. Middle Eastern spices are rare in Nigeria, though one can recreate Shawarma using common spices.
4.95 from 19 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Cuisine: African, East Africa
Keyword: homemade, shawarma
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 5
Calories: 505kcal
Author: Lola Osinkolu

Ingredients

FOR THE SHAWARMA MARINADE:

  • 2 lb Chicken Thigh boneless
  • 1 Onion large Red 
  • 2 Tablespoons Lemon juice
  • 4 cloves  garlic – minced
  • 1 Tsp Ginger Minced
  • 2 Teaspoon Black pepper
  • 2 Tsp Paprika
  • 1/2 Tsp Nutmeg
  • 1 Tsp Turmeric or curry powder
  • 1/2 Tsp Thyme
  • 1/2 Tsp bouillon cube optional
  • 1 Scotch bonnet pepper Minced
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil or any cooking oil of your choice
  • 1 Tsp Salt or to taste

FOR THE SHAWARMA SAUCE:

  • 3 Tablespoons Ketchup
  • 3 Tablespoons Mayonnaise
  • Cayenne pepper optional- A hint of

FOR THE FILLING:

  • 1 Tomato ripe and hard
  • 1 Onion  small red & sliced into strips
  • 1/4 lb Cucumber  sliced into strips
  • 4 to 6 Lettuce leaves
  • 4 to 6 Tortilla Wraps large

Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Marinate the Chicken – Wash and pat dry the chicken.
  • Add all the Spices to the Chicken and mix very well.
  • Cover with a plastic wrap or a tight lid and leave in the fridge for at least 20 minutes.
  • Grill The Shawarma – Lay the Chicken pieces on a parchment lined baking pan, transfer to a 425°F and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Check to make sure it’s cooked through and char it for about 1 to 2 minutes just to make it darker (if you choose)
  • Prepare the Shawarma Sauce- Mix the Ketchup, Mayonnaise, and Cayenne pepper together and set aside.
  • Serve the Shawarma – Wash and slice all the Vegetables
  • Spread a thin layer of the Mayonnaise and Ketchup mixture on the Tortilla wrap
  • Layer the vegetables and Shawarma Chicken on the wrap, drizzle a little more sauce on it and roll it up.
  • Optional - Place the rolled wrap on a heavy bottom skillet or a grill and brown the wrap enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 505kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 181mg | Sodium: 842mg | Potassium: 596mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 895IU | Vitamin C: 13.2mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1.9mg

You can find me on Facebook, and Instagram. I love keeping in touch with all of you!

If you make this Chicken Shawarma recipe, I’d love to see pictures of your creations on Instagram and Facebook. #cheflolaskitchen

Recipe Rating




Khadeeja Ismail danbatta

Friday 12th of August 2022

I really love u and proud of u homemade

Iremide

Saturday 2nd of July 2022

I really loved your homemade sharwama and I will love to see more about what you bake and cook and the recipes .I love your styles ❤️

Chef Lola's Kitchen

Sunday 10th of July 2022

Thank you, Iremide.

Zainab Umar

Sunday 17th of April 2022

I want you to teach me how to make pizza

Chef Lola's Kitchen

Tuesday 19th of April 2022

You can follow the homemade pizza recipe on the blog.

Ige Ezekiel

Wednesday 25th of August 2021

Fantastic love to see more

Skyface

Saturday 21st of August 2021

You are gud and fast at teaching.. thank you dear

Lola Osinkolu

Friday 27th of August 2021

Thank you for the kind compliment. 😊