Why We Love Chicken Shawarma Wrappers
Shawarma wraps, also known as just shawarma, are a classic Middle Eastern dish that is served in a similar style to gyros. They feature a soft naan or pita bread packed with a spiced protein, then topped with chopped veggies and a creamy sauce. What really sets shawarma apart from Greek-style gyros are the robust and aromatic Middle Eastern spices… Like vibrant cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and a hint of cayenne pepper for some kick. Pork, lamb, and beef shawarma are popular options for homemade wraps. However, we find that Chicken Shawarma is the best crowd-pleaser every time! The chicken is tender, juicy, and has so much flavor from all of the spices. Speaking of a pleasing recipe: This is a great dish to prep ahead. Grilled chicken shawarma or oven roasted chicken shawarma can be made a day or so before you plan to serve, and all of the other components can be prepped and ready to go. Then enjoy a hassle-free dinner, or take along for a quick and easy lunch.
Ingredients You Need
Boneless skinless chicken thighs – or you can use chicken breasts Spices – ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, salt, garlic powder, cayenne pepper or you can purchase a ready-to-use shawarma spice blend Lemon – juiced Olive oil – or other preferred high heat and neutral-flavored oil
And you of course need naan or flatbread and your fave toppings! We love diced fresh veggies like cucumber and tomato, plus shredded lettuce and a cool, creamy homemade tzatziki sauce.
How to Make Chicken Shawarma
Grill Method: Preheat the grill to medium heat. Grill the chicken thighs for five minutes per side. Then allow them to rest before slicing. Oven Method: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in a baking dish or transfer them to an oven-safe skillet. Roast for 20 minutes.
How to Assemble Shawarma Wrappers
When ready to enjoy, first place a piece of warmed naan or flatbread on a plate. Then add lettuce as the bottom layer – this helps keep the bread moist but protected from the moisture of the other ingredients Next add chicken and toppings (see below for ideas.) Finish the chicken shawarma with a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce. Grab with your hands and dive in! You won’t be able to resist the mouth-watering taste of the shawarma!
Serving Suggestions
Slice the cooked chicken thighs into thin pieces. Then serve as wraps with flatbread or naan, and give a few of our favorite toppings a try:
Tahini sauce Garlic sauce Tomatoes Cucumbers Red onions Lettuce Feta cheese Hummus Fresh herbs Tzatziki
Chicken shawarma sandwiches are great to enjoy as a hearty lunch or lighter dinner. For lunch I like to pair them with Harissa Baked French Fries or Baked Turnip Fries.And to add some oomf to the dinner table, we often serve shawarma alongside Saffron Rice with Golden Raisins and Pine Nuts or Lebanese Rice, plus pita chips with a bowl of homemade hummus.
Make Ahead Recipe and Storage Tips
Cook the chicken with your preferred method, and let cool completely. Then slice, and transfer the pieces to an airtight container. Shred the lettuce, chop the tomatoes and cucumber, and store in another container with a lid. Make the tzatziki yogurt sauce. I suggest mixing it together in a container that has a lid, so it’s easy to whip it up and store in just one bowl. Keep all of the components in their individual containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Looking For More Marvelous Middle Eastern Recipes? Be Sure to Try:
Tuna Chickpea Kofta with Harissa Yogurt Dip Balsamic Chicken Skewers with Israeli Couscous “Street Meat” Grilled Lamb Kebabs Beef Kafta Kabob Middle Eastern Deviled Eggs
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