This Chicken Shawarma recipe is going to knock your socks off! Just a handful of every day spices makes an incredible Chicken Shawarma marinade that infuses the chicken with exotic Middle Eastern flavours. The smell when this is cooking is insane!.
This is one of my signature recipes that will be very familiar to all my friends because I make this so often. It’s off the charts for effort vs output: just a handful of everyday spices, garlic, a splash of lemon and olive oil transforms into the most incredible flavour.
When this chicken is cooking, the smell is incredible. In fact, it’s how I met most of my neighbours when I lived in a townhouse complex, random people I had never met before popping their head over the fence wanting to know what on earth I was making. They were elated when I handed out samples!.
Shawarma chicken is a popular Middle Eastern dish made of savory spiced meat roasted on a vertical rotisserie When served in a wrap or plate, it needs the perfect accompaniments to complete the meal The right side dishes will provide contrasting flavors, textures, and nutrition to complement the chicken. Here are 12 delicious options to consider.
Overview of Shawarma Chicken
Chicken shawarma is thinly sliced and juicy. It is seasoned with a mix of warm spices, such as cumin, cardamom, paprika, and cayenne pepper. After marinating, the meat is stacked and roasted vertically on a rotisserie. This lets it cook slowly while the spices flavor the chicken beautifully. Slices are then shaved off to serve.
The chicken has a wonderful medley of aromatic flavors with a slight kick from the spices The texture is moist and tender It can be enjoyed wrapped in flatbread with veggies and sauce, or served over rice with traditional salads and dips on the side.
When planning sides for shawarma chicken, you’ll want options that provide contrasting textures like creamy or crunchy. Bright, fresh ingredients help cut through the rich chicken flavors. Sides that incorporate Middle Eastern spices or herbs also pair nicely.
12 Side Dish Ideas for Shawarma Chicken
1. Baba Ganoush
This traditional eggplant dip goes well with shawarma chicken because it is creamy and smokey. Baba ganoush has a thick, smooth texture and a strong flavor that goes well with the spices. It adds coolness and variety to the meal.
2. Hummus
No Middle Eastern spread is more versatile than hummus. Made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic, hummus makes a protein-packed, flavorful dip for chicken shawarma. The creaminess balances the meat’s richness.
3. Tabbouleh
A bright parsley salad with bulgur wheat, tomatoes, onion, and lemon juice, tabbouleh provides freshness and crunch alongside the chicken. The herbs and citrus cut through the savory spices. It’s light and refreshing.
4. Fattoush
Fattoush salad combines crisp veggies, fresh herbs, and pita chips with a bright lemon vinaigrette. It adds a lively crunch and acidity to balance chicken shawarma’s richness. The mix of flavors is fantastic.
5. Tzatziki
Tzatziki sauce, which is made from yogurt and is served with shawarma chicken, is tangy and creamy, and the spices cool the palate. Its simple preparation makes it an easy, fool-proof pairing.
6. Roasted Cauliflower
The nutty sweetness of roasted cauliflower florets plays off shawarma’s spices beautifully. They caramelize during roasting for wonderful texture. Toss in garlic, lemon, and spices for extra flavor.
7. Rice Pilaf
Simple rice pilaf makes the ideal blank canvas for chicken shawarma. Fluffy grains soak up the chicken juices and spice flavors. Consider pilafs with Middle Eastern flavors like cumin or saffron.
8. Couscous
Like rice pilaf, couscous is a mild base that goes well with chicken shawarma that has strong flavors. Toast the couscous first for nuttier flavor. Add fruits, nuts or herbs for a more exciting side.
9. Mediterranean Salad
A salad with cucumbers, olives, tomatoes, onion and feta cheese provides fresh flavor and texture contrast to sliced chicken shawarma. The veggies balance the richness.
10. Lentil Soup
Warm, protein-rich lentil soup makes a hearty pairing for chicken shawarma plates. The earthy, mildly spiced soup complements the chicken. Add spinach or tomatoes for a nutrition boost.
11. Roasted Eggplant
Eggplant roasted until caramelized and creamy has a sweetness that offsets shawarma’s spices. Drizzle with tahini sauce and sprinkle with mint or parsley for extra flavor and color.
12. Warmed Flatbread
No chicken shawarma meal is complete without warm flatbread like pita or naan to wrap the meat in or dip into side dishes. Fresh, soft bread soaks up chicken juices and spice flavors.
Planning a Complete Meal
When planning a full chicken shawarma meal, try to include an array of sides. Have at least one dip like baba ganoush, hummus or tzatziki to start. Add a bright, herbaceous salad like tabbouleh or fattoush. Include a pilaf, roasted veggie or lentil soup for heartiness. Fresh flatbread ties everything together.
With flavorful chicken as the star and tasty sides, you’ll have a mouthwatering Middle Eastern feast. Shawarma chicken makes the perfect centerpiece. Experiment with different salad, dip and vegetable pairings to find your favorites.
Make-Ahead Tips
One advantage of chicken shawarma and many complementary sides is that they keep well, making them great make-ahead dishes for entertaining. Here are some tips:
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Marinate the chicken 1-2 days in advance.
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Cook chicken, slice and refrigerate up to 3 days ahead. Reheat before serving.
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Prep dips like baba ganoush, hummus and tzatziki up to 3 days ahead.
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Make tabbouleh and fattoush salad (minus dressing) 1 day in advance. Dress just before eating.
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Cook lentil soup and pilafs 1-2 days ahead. Gently reheat to serve.
With a little advance preparation, you can pull off an amazing Middle Eastern meal with ease. The fantastic flavors of chicken shawarma and seasonal fresh sides are sure to impress guests. Round out the menu with baklava or date cookies for a sweet finish.
Recap of Side Dish Options
To recap, here are 12 delicious side dishes to serve with flavorful shawarma chicken:
- Baba Ganoush – Smoky eggplant dip
- Hummus – Creamy chickpea dip
- Tabbouleh – Bright parsley and tomato salad
- Fattoush – Crunchy pita salad
- Tzatziki – Cool yogurt cucumber sauce
- Roasted Cauliflower – Caramelized florets
- Rice Pilaf – Fluffy spiced grains
- Couscous – Nutty toasted wheat
- Mediterranean Salad – Veggies with feta
- Lentil Soup – Protein-rich and hearty
- Roasted Eggplant – Sweet and creamy
- Flatbread – Fresh pita or naan
With an array of contrasting textures, bright flavors and aromas, these sides perfectly complement juicy chicken shawarma. Try a variety for a mouthwatering Middle Eastern feast.
How to make Chicken Shawarma
For the best results, it’s best to marinate the chicken overnight. But to be honest, the volume and flavour of the marinade is intense enough that you can get away with a minimum of 3 hours of marinating. Been there, done that plenty of times, and nobody has complained!.
- Mix the marinade—To save time, mix the marinade right in a ziplock bag. It’s best to use a bag because the chicken stays nicely covered in the marinade. If you’d rather use a container, either turn the chicken a few times or add 100% more marinade.
- Add chicken into the marinade. Close the bag and squeeze out any extra air. Then, massage the outside to coat it. Let it sit in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours. If you’re pressed for time, even 3 hours will do!.
- Apple sauce: To make the apple sauce, just mix the ingredients together and let them sit for at least 20 minutes so the flavors can blend. This will keep for 3 days in the fridge.
- Cook chicken either on the stove or on the BBQ. The spices will give it a great crust, and the smell will blow your mind. It’s intoxicating!.
- Chicken should be left to rest for at least three minutes before it is served so that the juices can redistribute throughout the meat. If you don’t, they will just run out when you cut it.
- To serve, put everything on a platter and let everyone make their own wraps. There should be chicken, lettuce, tomato slices, onion, yogurt sauce, and warm flatbreads that you made yourself or bought from a store. When the chicken is pretty big, I sometimes cut it up. But when they’re small, I just leave them whole.
Great food for gatherings
This Chicken Shawarma, along with the Vietnamese Noodles with Lemongrass Chicken, are two of my most frequently made foods when I’m cooking for a crowd because it’s easy to make loads, they are both great “lay it all out and let everyone serve themselves” type foods (I’m a big fan of food like that), and it travels well. I’ve made this multiple times on camping trips (along with the Vietnamese Noodles and Greek Gyros!).
In 2015, when I first shared this recipe, it was also part of a 7-course Arabian Feast menu. There are still some recipes that need new photos, but I will get to them one day. That menu is great because a lot of it can be made ahead of time and uses a lot of common foods.
Be prepared for the amazing smells when you’re cooking this Chicken Shawarma! – Nagi xx
This Chicken Shawarma Wrap from Duzan in Astoria, Queens NYC hit the SPOT. #DEVOURPOWER
FAQ
What is shawarma eaten with?
Shawarma is often served with pita bread, tabbouleh, fattoush salad, pickled turnips, taboon bread, tomato salad or hummus, and topped off with tahina sauce, amba sauce or toum (garlic sauce). Sep 14, 2022.
What is shawarma chicken good with?
Serve with pita and tahini, chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, some olives, chopped parsley, some feta, fried eggplant, hummus swirled with harissa, rice or rice pilaf. The traditional white sauce goes with it. You can make it by mixing plain yogurt with mayonnaise and lemon juice and adding garlic to it. Jan 23, 2024.
What do you eat with chicken shawarma?
It’s a perfect weeknight meal and comes together in very little time. Pair it with vermicelli rice, Lebanese pita bread, Toum (garlic sauce), Tahini Sauce, pickled turnips or shatta (chili paste). Chicken Shawarma Recipe!.
What vegetable goes well with shawarma?
Mediterranean veggies I used eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, and red onion in my vegetable blend. Carrots, beets, turnips, or squash would be delicious too!.