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Easy Chicken Shawarma

Name: Easy Chicken Shawarma
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 400 grams Chicken breast (- sliced thinly.); Tortilla wraps; 400 grams Fried Chips (- optional.); ½ cup Parsley; 1 tsp Paprika powder; ½ tsp Garlic powder; ½ tsp Salt; ½ tsp White pepper powder; 2 tbsp Butter; 100 grams White Cabbage; ⅓ tsp Salt; ½ tsp Sumac; ½ Onion (- sliced thinly.); Mayonnaise (- optional, can substitute with tzatziki or garlic sauce.); Hot sauce (- optional.)

ByAva
Published OnMar 16, 2026
Updated OnJun 21, 2026

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This Easy Chicken Shawarma recipe can be prepared in 30 minutes. The recipe features grilled chicken that has been marinated in a carefully selected blend of spices, ensuring a flavorful and satisfying dish.

The flavour of chicken shawarma is enhanced with sumac onions, white cabbage coleslaw, and parsley. Shawarma originated on the streets of Turkey and quickly became a global favorite. The key to a chicken shawarma lies in the balance of flavours in the marinade and in garnishes such as sumac onions and coleslaw, which add depth to the dish.

Ingredients

Chicken breast, Tortilla wraps, Onions, Paprika powder, Sumac, Parsley, White Cabbage, Salt, White Pepper, Garlic Powder, Butter.

Chicken breast is recommended for this recipe; however, deboned chicken thighs may be utilized as an alternative. The chicken breast should be lightly seasoned with white pepper, salt, and garlic powder, followed by shallow poaching in a small amount of water prior to grilling. This cooking method ensures that the chicken remains tender and moist, while the grilling process imparts a desirable browning effect.

Paprika powder contributes a subtle heat to the chicken breasts. Additionally, the combination of onions and sumac introduces a citrusy and floral note that enhances the overall flavor profile of the chicken shawarma. The inclusion of white cabbage, supplemented with salt, adds extra texture and crunch to the dish; alternatively, sauerkraut may serve as a suitable replacement.

Instructions

Begin by preparing the chicken breast: wash and dry it with a paper towel. Add the chicken to the grill pan with butter, and add 1/3 cup of water with salt, garlic powder, paprika powder, and white pepper powder. Set the temperature to medium-low and shallow-poach the chicken for 10-12 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).

During this time, peel and slice the onion. Add it to a bowl, sprinkle sumac, and mix. For extra flavour, you can add a little olive oil and lemon juice, which will brighten the sumac onions’ flavour. Next, create the white cabbage coleslaw. Remove the outermost layer of the white cabbage. Finely shred two cups of white cabbage, place it in a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and toss it to coat evenly. Let it rest for 10 minutes; this process will wilt the cabbage and make it more tender.

After the chicken has been shallow-poached, the water will have evaporated. Preheat the grill over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill with butter to prevent the shallow-poached chicken from sticking to the pan. Grill each side of the chicken for 2-4 minutes, until lightly browned. Thereafter, let the chicken rest, and then assemble the shawarma. You can heat the tortillas in the microwave or in a stovetop pan; either way will soften them and make them pliable.

Place the tortilla or Arabic bread on a plate. On each tortilla, begin by adding the ingredients: place the fried chips, then the grilled chicken, white cabbage coleslaw, and the sumac onions on top. Add the parsley to the side and roll the shawarma up. For added flavour, you can drizzle a light amount of hot sauce, mayonnaise, or garlic toum over the ingredients.

Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or simply indulging a craving, chicken shawarma is an excellent choice. It is easy to make and offers plenty of room for creativity with garnishes and toppings.

How to Store the Easy Chicken Shawarma?

Place any leftover chicken shawarma in a glass container in the fridge. It will last for three to four days. You can freeze the cooked chicken, place it in a freezer-safe bag, and it will remain in good condition for up to three months. Reheat in the microwave and assemble the chicken shawarma.

What to Serve with the Easy Chicken Shawarma?

Several delicious options can be served with easy chicken shawarma. A refreshing taboulleh or tzatziki would pair well with this recipe; consider Garlic sauce or hummus as additional side dishes to enhance the chicken shawarma’s flavour.