Shawarma Chicken

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Spiced chicken roasted upright and shaved into pita with tahini and pickles. This middle eastern ready in about 60 minutes pairs chicken thighs, yogurt, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 540 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.9 (178 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 Middle Eastern cuisine 540 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Whisk yogurt, lemon, spice mix, garlic, oil for marinade.
  2. Step 2: Marinate chicken 4 hours to overnight.
  3. Step 3: Stack chicken on baking dish, roast at 425°F 40 min.
  4. Step 4: Rest 5 min, slice thinly against the grain.
  5. Step 5: Serve in warm pita with tahini, pickled cabbage, tomato, parsley.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Shawarma Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Shawarma Chicken?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Shawarma Chicken?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Shawarma Chicken for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Shawarma Chicken?

Middle Eastern middle eastern like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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