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Homemade Chicken Shawarma – Easy Recipes for Dinner with Chicken

Let’s be honest—sometimes takeout feels easier, right? But if you're craving that juicy, spiced-to-perfection chicken shawarma, why not make it yourself and skip the greasy bag altogether? This recipe brings those familiar Middle Eastern street food vibes into your own kitchen. We're talking smoky spices, garlicky yogurt sauce, and crispy, tender chicken that practically begs for a warm pita wrap. When I first tried making shawarma at home, I figured it would be a long list of weird spices and an all-day thing. Nope. This one’s as weeknight-friendly as they come, and way tastier than you’d expect. And you can play around too—make it spicy, tone it down, throw it in a bowl instead of a wrap. Your dinner, your rules. So grab that rotisserie chicken or marinate your own, and let’s build something better than takeout—something that might just turn into your new comfort meal. I’ve made it three times this month already, and I’m not even close to bored. Let’s do this.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keywords: easy dinner recipes for family with kids simple comfort foods, easy recipes for dinner with chicken, easy recipes with rotisserie chicken, healthy and easy dinner recipes families budget, quick and easy dinner recipes for family healthy low carb, quick and easy recipes with rotisserie chicken, rotisserie chicken recipes leftover easy easy
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Lila

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 3 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp ground paprika
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Warm pita bread or flatbreads for serving
  • Optional toppings: pickles, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, garlic sauce or tahini

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, and all the spices into a marinade.
  2. Toss in the chicken, coat it well, and marinate for at least 1 hour (overnight is better).
  3. Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes per side or until browned and cooked through.
  4. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice thin.
  5. Serve in warm pita or flatbread with your favorite toppings and sauce.