Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner

Easy Chicken Shawarma is the best crispy, juicy, and flavorful dinner you can make at home in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the marinade and cooking technique for a better-than-takeout meal. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Refreshing Cherry Limeade Recipe Perfect for Summer and Easy Mediterranean Orzo and Beans One-Pot Dinner.

What You'll Need for Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp allspice
• Optional: Pita bread
• Optional: Lettuce
• Optional: Tomatoes
• Optional: Red onions
• Optional: Tzatziki sauce

How to Make Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner

1. Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, turmeric, and cayenne pepper (if using). Add chicken breasts and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
2. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Cook the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Discard the marinade. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
4. Prepare the garlic sauce: While the chicken is cooking, combine 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and salt to taste in a small bowl. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. Serve: Slice the cooked chicken and serve it on pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and tzatziki sauce. Drizzle the garlic sauce on top.

Storing & Reheating Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Cook and assemble just before serving.

Freezing Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner

Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. May lose some crispiness.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicier garlic sauce, add more minced garlic or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Best substitution: Substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts for a more flavorful dish.
• Make-ahead: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Cook and assemble just before serving.
• Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If the chicken is not crispy, broil it for 2-3 minutes after baking, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning.

Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner

⏱

Prep

30 mins

🍳

Cook

30 mins

⏳

Total

1 hour

🍽

Serves

4 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Seasonings

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp allspice

Optional Toppings

• Pita bread
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Red onions
• Tzatziki sauce

Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, turmeric, and cayenne pepper (if using). Add chicken breasts and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
2. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Cook the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Discard the marinade. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
4. Prepare the garlic sauce: While the chicken is cooking, combine 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and salt to taste in a small bowl. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. Serve: Slice the cooked chicken and serve it on pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and tzatziki sauce. Drizzle the garlic sauce on top.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicier garlic sauce, add more minced garlic or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Best substitution: Substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts for a more flavorful dish.
• Make-ahead: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Cook and assemble just before serving.
• Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If the chicken is not crispy, broil it for 2-3 minutes after baking, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. May lose some crispiness.
• Make ahead: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Cook and assemble just before serving.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 35g
• Fat: 15g
• Carbs: 15g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Cholesterol: 95mg
• Sat. Fat: 2.5g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!