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    Where Is My Spoon > Recipes > Main Dishes

    Chicken Shawarma Plate

    Last modified: May 31, 2024 ยท Published by Adina, Sep 21, 2023 ยท 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    pinterest image with title for chicken shawarma plate.

    Learn how to make a chicken shawarma plate at home. This delightful and healthy Middle Eastern dish is served with hummus, tahini sauce, and tabbouleh.

    overhead view of a platter with chicken strips, hummus, olives, tabbouleh, and lemon wedges.

    Enjoy our delicious chicken shawarma plate! This meal is made with tender, flavorful chicken and served with hummus, tabbouleh, fresh vegetables, and warm pita bread.

    The chicken breasts are marinated in a blend of spices that give them a mouthwatering taste. Each bite is a burst of flavor, and the plate includes crisp vegetables and a special sauce.

    Try more international street food like German Onion Cake, German Gyros, Hungarian Langos, or Polish Zapiekanka.

    Jump to recipe
    • What is shawarma?
    • What is a chicken shawarma platter?
    • Recipe ingredients
    • How to make chicken shawarma at home?
    • Tips
    • How to eat shawarma plate?
    • Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
    • How to store?
    • What to serve with it?
    • More Middle Eastern-inspired dishes
    • Recipe
    • Chicken Shawarma Plate

    What is shawarma?

    Shawarma is a Middle Eastern street food (one of the world's most popular street foods) made from seasoned, thinly sliced meat (usually beef, chicken, or lamb) cooked on a vertical rotisserie.

    The cooked meat is typically served in flatbread as a sandwich or on a plate with accompaniments like rice, vegetables, and sauces.

    Common toppings and garnishes include tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, tahini sauce, yogurt-based sauces, and pickles.

    Shawarma is similar to the Greek gyros (often made with pork or lamb) or the Turkish dรถner. The seasoning sets the shawarma apart from the two; the meat used for shawarma is seasoned with spices like cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, and cloves.

    What is a chicken shawarma platter?

    A dish that typically includes slices of seasoned and grilled chicken served with various accompaniments. You can customize the platter to your liking, so you get exactly what you want and enjoy a tasty meal.

    The plate usually consists of:

    • Thin slices of chicken, usually marinated with a blend of spices, give it a flavorful and aromatic taste. 
    • Carbs: Flatbread, rice, spicy potatoes, or even French fries.
    • Fresh salads like tabbouleh, Fattoush, or/and fresh vegetables, including lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions.
    • Hummus: You can use any of our delicious and smooth hummus recipes: Low-Calorie Hummus (the best recipe ever!), Roasted Red Pepper Dip, or Wild Garlic Hummus. For a change, add Muhammara to the platter, another amazing Middle Eastern dish.
    • Sauces: Various sauces, such as tahini, garlic sour cream sauce, tzatziki sauce, or other yogurt-based sauces, like our mint yogurt sauce.

    Recipe ingredients

    raw chicken breast on a wooden board, olive oil and spices in bowls and a lemon.
    • Boneless, skinless chicken breast: You can use pre-cut strips or slice the breasts into strips yourself.
      • Alternatively, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs; they are incredibly flavorful and juicy. 
    • Spice blend: Combine cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, fine sea salt, and ground black pepper. For a bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
    • In addition, you will need freshly squeezed lemon juice and olive oil to mix with the spices before coating the meat.ย 

    How to make chicken shawarma at home?

    collage of two pictures of mixing spices with a hand whisk and raw, sliced chicken breast in a heap.
    • Prepare the chicken: Mix the spices in a small bowl (1). Slice the meat (2) into thin strips and toss it with the lemon juice and the oil. Sprinkle the spice mixture on top and stir well to coat the chicken. 
    • Marinate for 2-3 hours, but remove the bowl from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature. 
    collage of two pictures of cooking and stirring chicken breast slices in a pan.
    • Cook the marinated strips (in batches) in a large skillet or frying pan, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes per batch or until the chicken strips are golden and cooked through but still tender and juicy. Don't overcook! Add some more of the olive oil between the batches.

    Assemble the chicken shawarma plate

    • Spread a portion of hummus on one side of the plate and place some tabbouleh on the opposite side. Arrange the sliced salad leaves in between and lay the chicken strips on top. Sprinkle black olives and nigella seeds over the plate and finish it off with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
    • If your plate has enough space, arrange the tomato and cucumber slices on it; otherwise, serve them on the side. Drizzle with a bit of sauce and serve the rest of it on the side. 

    Tips

    Don't overcrowd the pan. If it's too crowded, the meat will cook in its juices instead of getting that nice golden color you want.

    The cooking time is brief because the chicken breast for shawarma is thinly sliced. These meat slices will cook quickly, usually in just 4-5 minutes per batch. Flip the chicken slices to ensure they turn golden all over.

    How to eat shawarma plate?

    • Start with the pita or flatbread: You can make mini sandwiches or chicken shawarma wraps if your shawarma plate comes with pita bread or flatbread. Tear off a piece of bread and place some chicken, salad, and any desired condiments inside. Fold it up and take a bite.
    • Alternatively, stuff the components into pita pockets. Or make shawarma bowls with rice.
    • Use utensils: If you prefer not to eat it like a sandwich, you can use a fork or spoon and scoop up a bit of chicken, rice, salad, and sauce.
    • Combine flavors: Shawarma plates are all about combining flavors. Mix the chicken, grains, salad, and some hummus on your plate, and drizzle some sauce over the top. Each forkful of this popular dish should include a bit of everything for a burst of flavor.
    • Don't forget about additional sides like hummus, tabbouleh, black olives, or yogurt.
    • Enjoy fresh vegetables: If the plate includes tomato and cucumber slices, enjoy them as a refreshing palate cleanser between bites of the flavorful shawarma.

    Remember, there's no one right way to eat a shawarma plate; enjoy it just the way you like it. Whether you prefer it as a sandwich, salad, or a mix of both, the key is to savor the blend of spices and textures that make shawarma a delicious Middle Eastern delight.

    Is this dish suitable for meal prep?

    • โ€‹Yes. Cook the chicken, refrigerate it once cool, and reheat it before serving.ย 
    • Make the hummus in advance; it will keep for about one week.
    • The yogurt sauce can also be made 1-2 days in advance.ย 
    • Make the tabbouleh one day in advance.
    • Cut the vegetables for the chicken shawarma plate no more than 2 hours before serving. Cutting them closer to the serving time helps maintain their freshness and crispness.

    How to store?

    Refrigerate leftovers separately in airtight containers. The shawarma-style chicken and the tabbouleh can be stored for 2-3 days, while homemade hummus lasts about 1 week.

    Fresh vegetables and pita bread are best when consumed fresh. 

    If you want to refrigerate leftovers on an assembled plate, cover it with plastic wrap and try to finish it by the next day, especially if the veggies are still on the plate.

    Reheat gently to prevent the chicken from drying. You can use the microwave, oven, or stovetop, depending on your preference.

    golden chicken breast pieces served with hummus, olives and lemon with a bowl of tabbouleh behind it.

    What to serve with it?

    • bowl with mediterranean parsley salad with tomatoes.
      Mediterranean Parsley Salad โ€“ Tabbouleh or Tabouli
    • vegan bulgur wheat salad in a white bowl with a spoon in it.
      Vegan Bulgur Wheat Salad
    • yellow colored hoummus sprinkled with nigella seeds and cilantro in a bowl.
      Easy Hoummus (Hummus)
    • two small glasses with golden turmeric tea and half a lemon.
      Turmeric Tea - Golden Tea

    More Middle Eastern-inspired dishes

    • Syrian Stuffed Grape Leaves
    • Fava Bean Dip
    • Lamb with Pomegranate
    • Tonka Bean Cake
    • Persian Eggplant Dip

    Do you like this recipe?

    Please leave a good rating in the recipe card below. Stay in touch through social media: Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. Donโ€™t forget to tag #whereismyspoon when you try a recipe!

    Recipe

     

    chicken shawarma plate with hummus, tabbouleh, olives and lemon wedges.

    Chicken Shawarma Plate

    Learn how to make a chicken shawarma plate at home, a delightful and healthy Middle Eastern recipe served with hummus and tabbouleh.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Share GrowSaved! Rate
    Course: Chicken Breast
    Cuisine: Middle East
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 264kcal
    Author: Adina

    Equipment

    • Large skillet or pan
    • Bowls
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients 

    Chicken:

    • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts 450 g, Note 1
    • 1 lemon the juice
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • ยผ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ยผ teaspoon cardamom
    • ยผ teaspoon turmeric
    • ยฝ teaspoon fine sea salt
    • ยผ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil for cooking the chicken

    To serve:

    • yogurt tahini sauce Note 3
    • hummus
    • tabbouleh
    • black olives
    • sliced salad leaves
    • sliced tomatoes
    • sliced cucumbers
    • nigella seeds
    • a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil

    Instructions

    Chicken:

    • Mix the spices in a small bowl.
      ยผ teaspoon cinnamon + ยผ teaspoon cardamom + ยผ teaspoon turmeric + ยฝ teaspoon sea salt + ยผ teaspoon black pepper
    • Marinate chicken: Slice the chicken breast into thin strips and place them in a large bowl. Add the lemon juice, olive oil, and mixed spices and stir well to coat. Cover the bowl and leave to marinate in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours. Remove from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking.
      1 lb/ 450 g chicken breast + juice of 1 lemon + 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • Cook chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet or pan. Cook the chicken slices in 2 or 3 batches, adding a bit more oil between the batches (Note 2). Stir occasionally, for about 4-5 minutes per batch or until the chicken strips are golden and cooked through but still tender and juicy.
      2-3 tablespoon olive oil

    Assemble the shawarma plate:

    • Spread a portion of hummus on one side of the plate and place some tabbouleh on the opposite side. Arrange the sliced salad leaves in between and lay the chicken strips on top. Sprinkle black olives and nigella seeds over the plate and finish it off with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
    • Serve: If your plate has enough space, arrange the tomato and cucumber slices on it; otherwise, serve them on the side. Drizzle with a bit of sauce and serve the rest of it on the side.

    Notes

    1. Chicken: The same amount of boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used instead.
    2. Don't overcrowd the pan, or the chicken will be cooked in its released juices instead of searing.
    3. Yogurt tahini dip: Mix โ…” cup/ 150 g Greek yogurt with 1 tablespoon tahini, 1 large grated garlic clove, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste.
    4. The nutrition is calculated only for the chicken.ย 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/4 of the dish | Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 427mg | Potassium: 464mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 41IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @adinabeck or tag #WhereIsMySpoon!

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    Comments

    1. Marvellina | What To Cook Today says

      June 15, 2018 at 8:57 pm

      You crack me up with the soccer thing! I grew up in Indonesia where world cup was also an excuse for the whole family to stay up late! My dad was a soccer addict and he got us all kids excited about watching it! World cup is a big thing in Asia too! Not so much here in the U.S. though. This chicken shawarma looks good! I made it once a long time ago and loved how flavorful it was

      Reply
    2. angiesrecipes says

      June 15, 2018 at 7:31 pm

      Looks so yummy! My husband loves gyros, bet he will enjoy this too.

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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