Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce | Air Fryer or Skillet | Lite Cravings Recipes (2024)

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A quick, weeknight take on the classic Lebanese dish, Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce is a packed full of flavor and easy to make!

Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce | Air Fryer or Skillet | Lite Cravings Recipes (1)

It’s no secret around here that I’m a sucker for a good chicken marinade. And I’m pretty much obsessed with sauces. Peruvian Chicken with Green Sauce is a reader favorite, Skinny Alfredo Sauce has gone viral on Pinterest, and Citrus Marinated Chicken (El Pollo Loco Copycat) has been a meal-prep staple for me for years.

The flavors in this dish are out of this world, making it my new favorite. Smoky, tangy, slightly spicy, with a sharp kick of garlic flavor. Heavenly!

What is Chicken Shawarma?

Shawarma is a traditional Middle-Eastern street food, typically prepared on a spit and roasted for hours. The vendors will thinly shaved the meat off of the spit and serve with pilaf, pita, and some sort of garlicky sauce.

I wanted to both lighten up and speed up the process. I use chicken breasts, marinated for hours to lock in flavor. Then, I either BBQ or air for for perfectly charred and tender chicken.

Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce | Air Fryer or Skillet | Lite Cravings Recipes (2)

Plan ahead for a quick meal

Both the marinade and the garlic sauce get better and better as they sit in your refrigerator. For that reason, this makes for an ideal meal prep!

You could get away with making the sauce and marinating the chicken as close as 2 hours before you want to cook up the chicken. The flavors won’t be quite as deep, but it will still come out great.

This is combo really is best when both the chicken and sauce marinate overnight. I like to put it all together on a Sunday evening for a super quick dinner on Monday night. It takes just under 15 minutes to cook up the chicken. While that’s going, I’ll chop my veggies. Dinner is done! And then I have leftovers for lunches the rest of the week.

Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce | Air Fryer or Skillet | Lite Cravings Recipes (3)

Serving Suggestions

  • Chicken and Rice Plate: One of my favorite restaurants is local Lebanese café. I always order their chicken shawarma plate. So to recreate that at home, I pair this chicken with my Simple Rice Pilaf and a side salad of parsley, tomatoes, and cucumber, tossed with a little balsamic vinegar. Simple and delicious!
  • Pita Wraps: The chicken and sauce combo is great for a wrap. Just add some lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers–whatever veggies you like! This is a great way to use up leftover veggies.
Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce | Air Fryer or Skillet | Lite Cravings Recipes (4)
  • Chicken Shawarma Salad with Creamy Garlic Dressing: Or just skip the pita and turn that beautiful garlic sauce into a dressing! Add a bit more almond milk to thin out the sauce a bit, then drizzle over the chicken and your favorite salad ingredients. Avocado would be fabulous with that spiced chicken!

By the way, if you end up liking this recipe, you MUST try my Halal Cart Chicken Bowls!

I’d love to hear from you if you make this recipe! It makes my day when you share your pics on Instagram and tag me (@litecravings). Don’t forget to use #litecravingsrecipes to make sure I see it. If I don’t get a chance to scroll through my tags quickly enough, I won’t see your post. I always make a point to look through the hashtags, though, so I’ll see it there!

Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce | Air Fryer or Skillet | Lite Cravings Recipes (5)

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5 from 1 vote

Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce

A quick, weeknight take on the classic Lebanese dish, Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce is a packed full of flavor and easy to make!

Prep Time2 hours hrs

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Lebanese, Middle Eastern

Servings: 6

Calories: 277kcal

Author: Geri

Ingredients

FOR THE CHICKEN MARINADE

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast (buy cutlets to skip a step)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 3 tablespoons fat free chicken stock
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ground pepper to taste

FOR THE GARLIC SAUCE

  • 2/3 cup nonfat, plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 garlic cloves, grated
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 3-4 tablespoons almond milk or skim milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon each kosher salt and black pepper

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS FOR SERVING

  • pita, tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, iceberg lettuce

Instructions

PREP THE CHICKEN

  • Cut chicken breasts in half length-wise (or buy chicken cutlets). Mix all marinade ingredients together in a large bowl and add chicken.

  • Coat chicken completely with marinade. Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.

PREP THE GARLIC SAUCE

  • In a small bowl, mix all sauce ingredients together. Add more or less milk to reach your desired consistency. Refrigerate for at least an hour. It will get better the longer it sits and will last in your refrigerator for up to 5 days.

COOK THE CHICKEN

  • Remove chicken from marinade. Discard the marinade and pat the chicken dry with paper towels.

  • FOR THE GRILL or SKILLET: Preheat grill or skillet to medium-high. Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes per side. Rest chicken, covered with tin foil, for 5 minutes before serving.

  • FOR THE AIR FRYER: Preheat air fryer to 370F. Cook chicken cutlets for 5 minutes, then slip and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Rest chicken, covered with tin foil, for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

FOR THE CHICKEN:

Click here to determine your WW PersonalPoints for 3 ounces of cooked chicken (if you are logged in to your WW app, it should calculate for you automatically)*

WW Purple and Blue SmartPoints: 0 points (3-ounce cooked serving suggested)*

WW Green SmartPoints: 2 for 3 ounces of chicken

FOR THE GARLIC SAUCE:

Click here to determine your WW PersonalPoints for 2 Tb of this recipe (if you are logged in to your WW app, it should calculate for you automatically)

WW Purple, Blue, and Green SmartPoints: 0 for 2 tablespoons**

*I don’t count the olive oil because not enough soaks into the chicken to make a point difference; adjust if you aren’t comfortable with that calculation.

**The entire sauce recipe is 0 SP on Blue and Purple, or 3 SP on Green.

Nutritional information is for 3 ounces of cooked chicken and 2 tablespoons of sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 7g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g

Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce | Air Fryer or Skillet | Lite Cravings Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is shawarma garlic sauce made of? ›

Toum is a bold and creamy Middle Eastern garlic sauce made of garlic, oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt with just a little bit of water. You can make this in a snap with the a help of a food processor and one important technique.

Can you make shawarma with frying pan? ›

Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt. Add the chicken to the pan in batches to help create a really deep golden crust on the surface and to add flavour and texture.

Is chicken shawarma healthy? ›

Overall, shawarma can be enjoyed guilt-free as part of a balanced diet due to its array of nutritional highlights. Packed with lean protein, a variety of fresh vegetables, and a rich blend of antioxidants, this Middle Eastern gem that is celebrated in Nigeria not only satisfies taste buds but also nourishes the body.

What makes shawarma taste good? ›

You've got to spice it delicately. Remember: it's a complement, not the main dish. Typically, shawarma sauce contains mayonnaise, ketchup, a pepper sauce of some sort and if you're paying over N2000, probably some chilli sauce.

What is shawarma called in English? ›

This döner kebab, or “rolled kebab,” was adopted in neighbouring countries: in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan it came to be known in Arabic as shawarma, a loanword from the Turkish çevirme, or “turn,” and in Greece as gyro, with the same meaning.

What is the secret of shawarma? ›

Shawarma is all about the delicious sauces that accompany the meat – typically garlic yoghurt or tahini and hommus – and the secret ingredient: pickles. Pickled vegetables are what take shawarma to a whole new plane: pickled cucumbers, turnips, and even carrots or mangoes are common.

Can I use a non-stick pan for shawarma? ›

Cooking Instructions

Get the patient bread add mayonnaise, ketchup and filling and place non stick pan each side for 2minutes and shawarma is ready.

How to make shawarma without a shawarma machine? ›

To make chicken shawarma, mix together your garlic powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, cardamom, and salt. Cut your chicken into strips, then toss the chicken and the spices together. Drizzle the mixture with olive oil, then cook the chicken on medium-high heat for about 8 minutes on each side.

What part of chicken is shawarma made of? ›

Chicken – I like to make Shawarma with boneless, skinless thighs as its juicier than breast. But chicken breast and tenderloin both work great.

What to eat with chicken shawarma? ›

The best side dishes to serve with chicken shawarma are french fries, pita bread, tzatziki, hummus, yellow rice, garden salad, guacamole, pickled vegetables, onion rings, baba ganoush, couscous salad, roasted red peppers, fattoush, garlic bread, falafel, and grilled halloumi cheese.

What is healthier shawarma or burger? ›

It's healthy: The grilled meat in a shawarma comes with lots of crisp vegetables and fat-free spreads. But the same cannot be said about its Western cousin – the burger. You can chat with the guy who makes it: The people who prepare shawarmas are dedicated and friendly.

Is it okay to eat chicken shawarma everyday? ›

Shawarma is packed in dietary fiber, vitamin B6, healthy salt and zinc. But overeating may cause food poisoning and unhealthy weight gain. Diabetics must avoid shawarma to prevent coronary artery diseases. Consult your healthcare expert if you are planning to add it to your daily diet plan.

Do they put mayo in shawarma? ›

Most of the time the sauce that is used in shops is made with mostly mayo and tends to leave me with a heavy feeling afterwards. Using yogurt as a base and adding just the right amount of mayo with some fresh lemon juice creates the most delicious shawarma sauce that you will ever taste.

What is shawarma seasoning made of? ›

A Middle Eastern staple, shawarma seasoning is made with a unique combination of spices including cumin, turmeric, and paprika. It's bold, bright, and unbelievably delicious. If you've never had it, you're in for a serious treat! All you have to do is combine the ingredients in a bowl, and they're good to go.

What is the white thing in shawarma? ›

What is the "white sauce" on NYC falafel or shawarma? That's tahini, which is made of ground sesame seeds. The sauce is tahini, lemon or lime juice, garlic, and water.

What is authentic shawarma made of? ›

It's a simple wrap made with juicy pieces of marinated chicken (or beef) left to marinate overnight or for at least 6 hours in a blend of flavorful spices and seasonings. This authentic dish captures the essence of Middle Eastern cuisine, delivering a harmonious blend of smoky char and rich seasoning.

What sauce is used in shawarma? ›

Traditional Tahini Sauce or Tarator

Authentic beef shawarma however is always served with a tahini sauce, and not toum. This tahini sauce is often referred to as "tarator" in Lebanon and other Levant countries. Its simply made by whisking together tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper.

What is traditional shawarma made of? ›

How Shawarma is Made. Shawarma is marinated with various seasonings and spices such as cumin, turmeric, and paprika. It is made by stacking thinly sliced meat, typically lamb, beef, or chicken, on a large rotating skewer or cone. It is also sometimes cooked with extra fat from the meat to give it a juicer taste.

What makes shawarma taste like shawarma? ›

Shawarma is traditionally seasoned with spices like cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, and paprika to create a sweet-spiced, warm, and earthy flavor profile in the roasted meat.

References

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