Chicken shawarma

Chicken shawarma

25 min
Discover a Middle Eastern classic with our chicken shawarma recipe. This dish combines tender, spiced chicken with crisp vegetables and sweet dates. Wrapped in a warm flatbread with creamy tahini dressing and white cheese mash, our shawarma is ideal for a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner.
https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/chicken-shawarma/

Instructions

  • Fry chicken in some oil with salt and pepper. Use two forks to pull the meat apart.
  • Chop the cabbage.
  • Mix all the ingredients for the tahini dressing, add water until you have the desired texture and season to taste.
  • Mix some of the dressing with cabbage, dates, and almonds.
  • Mash white cheese with chopped parsley and lemon juice.
  • Grab a wrap, add a little of each filling and finish off with extra dressing.
Enjoy!

FAQ: Questions about chicken shawarma

Chicken shawarma, beloved for its rich spices and succulent flavours, is a versatile and delicious dish. Our FAQ guides you through making the perfect shawarma. 

What is chicken shawarma?
Chicken shawarma is a celebrated dish from the Middle East. It is known for its marinated meat, traditionally cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The meat roasts slowly and evenly, becoming tender and full of flavour. You can enjoy shawarma in various ways, often wrapped in flatbread with different toppings or served with sides.
Can I prepare chicken shawarma in advance?
Yes, you can prepare chicken shawarma beforehand. Cook the chicken completely and store it in the refrigerator for 2–3 days. Prepare the remaining filling and keep each in separate containers in the fridge. When you are ready to serve, simply warm the flatbreads and assemble the shawarma with the precooked chicken and filling.
Can I freeze chicken shawarma for later use?
Yes, you can freeze chicken shawarma to keep it fresh and ready for future meals. After cooking, allow it to cool quickly. Then, slice or shred the chicken as you would for serving and portion it into the amounts you will likely use. For storage, place the chicken in freezer bags or airtight containers and remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. The remaining filling should be frozen separately in similar airtight containers. When you want to enjoy your chicken shawarma, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat it gently, either in a pan over low heat or in the microwave, ensuring it is thoroughly heated through before serving.

Ingredients

Large flatbread or wraps
4
Chicken
400 g
Pointy cabbage
½
Dates
8
Almonds, roasted and chopped
100 g
Tahini dressing
Tahini
4 tbsp
Lemon, juice
1
Salt
Sugar
½ tsp
Water
Parsley and white cheese mash
150 g
A handful fresh-leaf parsley
Lemon, juice
½

Tips: Improve your chicken shawarma

With our helpful tips, you can make a scrumptious chicken shawarma whenever you crave something quick and tasty.

Ensure the chicken is fully cooked

To ensure that your chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat, you can use a meat thermometer. It should reach an internal temperature of 74 °C. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken for an accurate reading. You can also check the colour; it should be golden brown on the outside, and when cut into, the juices should run clear, not pink or red.

Use warm flatbreads

It is a good idea to warm the flatbreads, as they become softer and more pliable, which is ideal for wrapping around the juicy shawarma filling without the risk of the bread cracking or breaking. It also helps to bring out the bread’s natural flavours, allowing it to complement the savoury chicken filling even better.

Enjoy our easy chicken shawarma recipe

Wrap up a wonderful chicken shawarma and enjoy an indulgent Middle Eastern meal. Shawarma is partly popular because of the dish’s ability to use many different but complementary ingredients. While we have added a few twists here and there, this shawarma is the kind of meal you can easily make for a delicious weeknight dinner with the family.

Tender chicken with crisp cabbage, sweet dates, and roasted almonds

For our chicken shawarma, the chicken is cooked to tender and juicy perfection and then shredded to distribute evenly throughout the shawarma. Its rich, succulent flavours are joined by chopped cabbage to bring a crisp and refreshing element. Dates may seem like an unusual choice, but trust us, they are the perfect addition. With every bite, they introduce a prominent sweetness that fits neatly with the savoury chicken and the roasted almonds that add extra crunch.

Creamy finish with tahini dressing and white cheese mash

Bring the wrap to life with a creamy tahini dressing and fresh white cheese mash. The tahini dressing has a nutty and faintly bitter taste, perfectly balanced by sugar and lemon juice. A mash of fresh parsley and white cheese adds a fresh, tangy quality. When you assemble your chicken shawarma wrap, spread the fillings evenly on the flatbread. Together, the dressing and white cheese mash introduce an irresistible creamy mouthfeel that makes every bite so much more exciting.

Classic Middle Eastern dish with a chicken twist

Shawarma is a classic dish with deep roots in Middle Eastern cuisine. While it is typically made with slow-roasted meats like lamb or beef, our version explores chicken as the main choice of meat for a more delicate taste. The traditional method of preparing the meat involves a rotisserie, but you can easily cook it in the pan. Our chicken shawarma honours the tradition of Middle Eastern shawarma while giving it a new spin.

Discover other dishes with a Middle Eastern touch, such as our vibrant beetroot hummus or hummus with avocado. If you want a simple side dish, you might also want to try a fresh pearl couscous salad, couscous tabbouleh with white cheese, or tomato couscous salad with mint.

Get creative with the ingredients

Get creative with the recipe and try various toppings like tangy pickled vegetables, hot chilli flakes, or cool cucumber slices. Squeeze some lemon juice for a citrusy touch, or add hummus or Greek tzatziki for creaminess. If you like spicy food, throw in some harissa or hot sauce for a fiery kick. Also, consider marinating the chicken with yoghurt, oil, garlic, lemon juice, and your favourite spices. Allow the flavours to sink into the meat and make it more tender and juicier.