Experience the rich and aromatic flavors of the Middle East with this Arabic Chicken Shawarma Sandwich recipe. This dish combines tender, marinated chicken with fresh vegetables, all wrapped in warm pita bread. Perfect for a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner, this shawarma sandwich will transport your taste buds to a bustling street market in the heart of Arabia.
Some ingredients in this recipe might not be staples in every kitchen. Ground cumin, paprika, turmeric, and coriander are essential spices that give the shawarma its distinctive flavor. If you don't have these on hand, they can be easily found in the spice aisle of most supermarkets. Additionally, plain yogurt is used in the marinade to tenderize the chicken and add a creamy texture.

Ingredients For Arabic Chicken Shawarma Sandwich Recipe
Chicken breast: Thinly sliced to ensure quick and even cooking.
Olive oil: Used in the marinade to add richness and help the spices adhere to the chicken.
Garlic: Minced to infuse the marinade with a robust, aromatic flavor.
Ground cumin: Adds a warm, earthy flavor to the chicken.
Ground paprika: Provides a mild sweetness and vibrant color.
Ground turmeric: Contributes a subtle bitterness and a golden hue.
Ground coriander: Imparts a citrusy, slightly sweet flavor.
Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Ground black pepper: Adds a hint of heat and depth.
Plain yogurt: Used in the marinade to tenderize the chicken and add creaminess.
Lemon juice: Provides acidity to balance the flavors and tenderize the meat.
Pita bread: Warmed and used to wrap the chicken and vegetables.
Lettuce: Shredded to add a fresh, crunchy texture.
Tomatoes: Diced to add juiciness and a burst of flavor.
Cucumber: Sliced to add a refreshing crunch.
Red onion: Thinly sliced to add a sharp, tangy bite.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When marinating the chicken, ensure that each slice is evenly coated with the marinade. This can be achieved by using your hands to massage the mixture into the meat. This technique allows the spices and yogurt to penetrate the chicken, resulting in a more flavorful and tender outcome. Additionally, letting the chicken marinate for longer than the minimum one hour, ideally overnight, will enhance the depth of flavor.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable alternative for chicken breast in shawarma.
olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it a good substitute for olive oil in cooking.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic, though you may need to adjust the quantity to achieve the desired flavor.
ground cumin - Substitute with ground caraway seeds: Caraway seeds have a similar earthy flavor to cumin, making them a suitable alternative.
ground paprika - Substitute with ground chili powder: Chili powder can provide a similar color and a bit of heat, though it may alter the flavor slightly.
ground turmeric - Substitute with saffron: Saffron can provide a similar color and a unique flavor, though it is more expensive and should be used sparingly.
ground coriander - Substitute with ground fennel seeds: Fennel seeds have a sweet, aromatic flavor that can complement the other spices in the recipe.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, though it will also add moisture to the dish.
ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat and flavor profile, making it a good alternative to black pepper.
plain yogurt - Substitute with sour cream: Sour cream has a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture, making it a suitable substitute for yogurt.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice has a similar acidity and citrus flavor, making it a good alternative to lemon juice.
pita bread - Substitute with tortilla wraps: Tortilla wraps can be used in place of pita bread, though they will have a different texture and flavor.
lettuce - Substitute with spinach: Spinach can provide a similar crunch and fresh flavor, making it a good alternative to lettuce.
tomatoes - Substitute with roasted red peppers: Roasted red peppers can add a sweet and smoky flavor, though they will alter the texture of the sandwich.
cucumber - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini has a similar texture and mild flavor, making it a suitable alternative to cucumber.
red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder flavor and can be used in place of red onions in the recipe.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
- To store the chicken shawarma, allow the cooked chicken to cool completely. Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, freeze the chicken. Spread the cooled chicken slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are not touching. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date and use within 2 months.
- When ready to enjoy, thaw the frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, adding a splash of olive oil if needed to prevent sticking.
- Store pita bread separately at room temperature in a bread box or airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the pita bread in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
- Keep lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion fresh by storing them in the refrigerator. Place lettuce in a salad spinner or a container lined with paper towels to absorb moisture. Store tomatoes and cucumber in the crisper drawer, and keep red onion in a breathable bag or container.
- Assemble the shawarma sandwiches just before serving to maintain the freshness and texture of the ingredients.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the shawarma sandwiches in aluminum foil to keep them moist. Place them on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is warmed through. This method helps maintain the texture of the pita bread and keeps the vegetables from getting too soggy.
Skillet Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the shawarma sandwiches in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through. This method gives the pita bread a nice, slightly crispy texture while ensuring the chicken is heated evenly.
Microwave Method: Place the shawarma sandwiches on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent the pita bread from drying out. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through. Be cautious with this method as it can sometimes make the pita bread a bit chewy.
Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the shawarma sandwiches in aluminum foil and place them in the toaster oven. Heat for about 10 minutes, or until the chicken is warmed through. This method is great for achieving a slightly crispy pita bread while keeping the vegetables fresh.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the shawarma sandwiches in the air fryer basket and heat for about 5-7 minutes. This method gives the pita bread a nice, crispy texture and heats the chicken evenly.
Best Tools for Making This Recipe
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the marinade ingredients and mix the chicken slices thoroughly.
Refrigerator: Essential for marinating the chicken to allow the flavors to meld.
Skillet: Used to cook the marinated chicken over medium-high heat until fully cooked.
Spatula: Handy for stirring and turning the chicken in the skillet to ensure even cooking.
Knife: Necessary for thinly slicing the chicken breast and chopping vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for slicing the chicken and chopping the vegetables.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the spices, olive oil, and lemon juice accurately.
Measuring cup: Useful for measuring the yogurt and vegetables.
Pan: Can be used to warm the pita bread if not using a microwave.
Microwave: An alternative option for warming the pita bread quickly.
Tongs: Helpful for handling the cooked chicken and assembling the sandwiches.
Serving plate: Used to serve the assembled shawarma sandwiches.
How to Save Time on Making This Dish
Marinate overnight: Prepare the chicken and marinade the night before to save time on the day of cooking.
Pre-chop vegetables: Chop the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion in advance and store them in the fridge.
Use pre-made pita: Buy pre-made pita bread to skip the step of warming it up.
Batch cook: Cook a larger quantity of chicken and store leftovers for quick assembly later.
Use a food processor: Mince the garlic and mix the marinade ingredients quickly using a food processor.

Arabic Chicken Shawarma Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
Marinade
- 500 g Chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon Ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 1 cup Plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoon Lemon juice
Sandwich
- 4 pieces Pita bread
- 1 cup Lettuce, shredded
- 1 cup Tomatoes, diced
- 1 cup Cucumber, sliced
- 0.5 cup Red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, salt, black pepper, yogurt, and lemon juice.
- Add the chicken slices to the marinade and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken until fully cooked, about 10-15 minutes.
- Warm the pita bread in a separate pan or microwave.
- Assemble the sandwiches by placing the cooked chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion inside the pita bread.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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