You are going to love the mouthwatering aromatic flavors in these easy Chicken Shawarma Sandwiches. This grilled chicken sandwich will become your new favorite because it’s big on flavor, low on cost, and easily customizable to use ingredients you have on hand.
Post includes Weight Watchers points.
Table of Contents
What is Shawarma?
Chicken Shawarma is traditionally cooked on a rotating spit that gives the meat a tender but smoky char-grilled flavor.
Grilling the chicken will help provide that authentic middle eastern street food flavor in a fraction of the time. This popular street food will leave you satisfied and happy.
Budget Friendly Chicken Shawarma
Middle Eastern spices lend incredible flavor to this simple dish so it’s the perfect meal for your family. And it’s also a great choice when you want to feed a crowd without spending a lot of money to make a delicious meal that everyone will love.
And If you like sandwiches then check out this Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and these really delicious Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps.
These grilled chicken shawarma wraps are also easy to prep in advance. All of the ingredients can be made ahead of time – just assemble the sandwiches when you are ready to eat.
As a bonus, the chicken marinade and savory garlic yogurt sauce both get more flavorful the longer they’re allowed to meld in this.
If you like big flavor and affordable recipes, you will love this Middle Eastern dish – aka Chicken Shawarma wrap recipe.
You’ll have better than take-out lunch on the table in no time and know exactly what ingredients went in making it an overall healthier choice. This Shwarma is great for lunch boxes, picnics, game day, easy dinner, cookouts and more.
Why Make This Recipe
- Easy – Simply marinate and grill the chicken then add to a wrap along with some veggies and the delicious yogurt sauce for a filling and hearty grilled chicken sandwich.
- Flavorful – The depth of flavor in rotisserie style chicken shawarma is so complex and satisfying. You will swoon with every bite.
- Make Ahead – Most of this recipe can be made or prepared ahead for easy assembly when you are ready to eat. See our make-ahead tips below.
- Budget-Friendly – Less is more when it comes to this incredibly flavorful chicken.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are juicy and inexpensive, but chicken breasts also works well. Check out the budget tips below for hints on using leftover chicken or even rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.
- Shawarma Spices – You can pick up a jar of the sweet spices in your grocery store or local ethnic market. The warm spice blend contains cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and a blend of warm spices such as cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon. You can easily make your own Shawarma spice blend.
- Veggies – We’ve suggested pickled red onions, sliced cucumbers, and purple cabbage but use what you have on hand. Lettuce and tomato are traditional but don’t be afraid to use avocado, bell peppers, olive, or chickpeas.
- Yogurt – Use plain, unsweetened greek yogurt.
- Fresh lemon juice – lemon juice adds a great flavor to the tangy yogurt sauce.
- Garlic – used minced garlic to make the
- Wraps – Pita wraps (not pita pockets) are the best option for this chicken shawarma sandwich.
- Serving suggestions – I love serving these with french fries, rice pilaf, shredded salad and more.
How To Make Chicken Shawarma Wrap
Get full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Combine olive oil and shawarma spices to create a paste. Rub half of the paste over the chicken and allow it to marinate for a few minutes.
- While the chicken marinates, chop and prepare the vegetables, you will be using and make the yoghurt sauce in a small bowl.
- Heat a BBQ grill or a grill pan or cast iron skillet and grill the marinated chicken over medium high heat until cooked through and lightly charred. Slice and top with the remaining marinade paste.
- To assemble the sandwich, layer sliced chicken and veggies on the sandwich wrap, top with yogurt sauce, wrap chicken shawarma and serve.
Tips For Success
- Pound the chicken thighs (or chicken breast) to get even thickness across each piece. This will help you maintain juicy, evenly cooked chicken pieces.
- Marinate the chicken. You can certainly go directly to the grill with this chicken but the longer you marinate (up to 24 hours) the more flavorful the meat.
- Always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165F / 74C.
- Prep the sauce in advance for the best flavor. Let the yogurt sauce refrigerate for at least an hour to develop the flavors.
- Warm the pita bread in the microwave oven for a few seconds and the sandwiches will be easier to roll.
- Let chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Delicious Topping And Sauce Ideas
The options are endless for this delicious sandwich. Apart from the garlicky yogurt sauce other suggestions include – tzatziki sauce, garlic sauce, plain greek yogurt, hummus, tahini sauce and for some fun – feta cheese.
Delicious Variations & Meal Prep
The Shawarma sandwich is divine as is, but you can try one of these simple variations…
- Vary the spices – add in extras such as garlic powder, cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes.
- This recipe stores for 4 days so you can eat it on the day you cook it plus four more days.
- Separate leftovers into individual portions, place in airtight meal prep containers and let cool completely with the lids off.
- When cool, close them and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Shawarma Plate – Serve the chicken on a plate over a bed of rice or tabbouleh or with a side salad. Serve a bit of yogurt sauce for dipping.
- Shawarma Bowl – Fill a bowl with the cooked grain of your choice and top with sliced chicken, veggies, and the yogurt sauce.
- Shawarma Salad – Fill a bowl with chopped lettuce of your choice and top with sliced chicken, veggies, and the yogurt sauce.
Budget-Friendly Tips
- Customize to Fit What You Have – The shawarma sandwich is tasty but you can use the meat to make a plate, bowl or salad too. No need to buy wraps if you don’t have any on hand.
- Add Other Veggies – Cabbage, onion and cucumber are classic selections but you can bulk this up by adding romaine lettuce, peppers, cherry tomatoes, olives, avocado, hummus, chickpeas or whatever you have on hand.
- Feed A Crowd – Because this meal is big on flavor you can easily feed a crowd without having to go overboard on any one ingredient. Bulk up a bit on the more budget friendly ingredients like lettuce and tomatoes.
- Use Rotisserie Chicken – Rotisserie chicken (or any leftover chicken) is a great, budget-friendly option especially when you can purchase them on sale. Simply toss shredded chicken with half of the shawarma marinade and reheat it in a grill pan or skillet then proceed with the recipe as directed.
Make Ahead and Storage
This Chicken Shawarma wrap recipe is perfect for prepping ahead.
- Prep Ahead – You can prepare the chicken and prep the veggies for these sandwiches in advance. Just reheat the chicken in a skillet and assemble the sandwiches when ready to eat. You can also marinate the chicken up to one day in advance and let it sit in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Store – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You should store the components separately so the sandwiches do not become soggy.
- Freeze – Pre-marinate and freeze chicken thighs so they are ready to go anytime you need them. Mix the marinade ingredients and rub on chicken thighs. Place chicken thighs in freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw the chicken overnight in the fridge and cook as instructed according to the recipe below.
- Reheating on the grill or air fryer is the best method, as the chicken can get rubbery when reheated in the microwave.
FAQs
Chicken thighs are incredibly juicy and are our favorite option because they are also budget friendly. Using what you have on hand is helpful when sticking to your budget so use chicken breast or leftover shredded chicken if that is what you have on hand.
If you can’t find pita wraps you can also use homemade or store bought naan bread. Naan is a tiny bit thicker but makes a delicious sandwich.
There are about 425 calories in one chicken wrap.
More Recipes You Might Like
For more easy chicken recipes and other delicious easy recipes you might like – try these below.
- Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. So, so, so good and easy.
- Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip. Serve with pita bread or chips etc.
- Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken. A delicious chicken snack or main meal.
- Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken. So loved by everyone.
- Bacon Chicken Ranch Wrap Great for lunchboxes.
- Spicy Chicken Stuffed Buns. Great portable lunch on the go.
- Egg Salad Sandwich. Use up leftover eggs easily.
Weight Watchers Points
There are 7 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
Tools To Make This
- Grill pan or skillet.
- A sharp knife to cut your chicken easily.
- A cutting board.
- Handy mixing bowls.
- Measuring cups and spoons.
Get The Chicken Shawarma Recipe:
Easy Chicken Shawarma Wrap
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine oil and shawarma spices to create a paste. Rub half of the paste over the chicken and allow it to marinate for a few minutes.
- While the chicken sits, chop the onion an cucumber, and make the sauce by combining yogurt and garlic in a small bowl.
- Heat a BBQ grill, grill pan or skillet and cook the chicken until cooked through. Slice and top with the remaining marinade paste.
- To assemble the sandwiches, layer sliced chicken and veggies on the sandwich wrap and top with yogurt sauce.
Notes
Tips For Success
- Pound the chicken to get even thickness across each piece. This will help you maintain juicy, evenly cooked chicken pieces.
- Marinate the chicken. You can certainly go directly to the grill with this chicken but the longer you marinate (up to 24 hours) the more flavorful the meat.
- Always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165F / 74C.
- Prep the sauce in advance for the best flavor. Let the yogurt sauce refrigerate for at least an hour to develop the flavors.
- Warm the pitas in the microwave oven for a few seconds and the sandwiches will be easier to roll.
Budget-Friendly Tips
- Customize to Fit What You Have – The shawarma sandwich is tasty but you can use the meat to make a plate, bowl, or salad too. No need to buy wraps if you don’t have any on hand.
- Add Other Veggies – Cabbage, onion, and cucumber are classic selections but you can bulk this up by adding lettuce, peppers, olives, avocado, hummus, chickpeas, or whatever you have on hand.
- Feed A Crowd – Because this meal is big on flavor you can easily feed a crowd without having to go overboard on any one ingredient.
- Use Rotisserie Chicken – Rotisserie chicken (or any leftover chicken) is a great, budget-friendly option especially when you can purchase them on sale. Simply toss shredded chicken with half of the shawarma marinade and reheat it in a grill pan or skillet then proceed with the recipe as directed.
Sara Welch
Gave this a try for dinner last night and it didn’t disappoint! Such a delicious recipe and great for busy weeknights! Easily, a new favorite recipe, indeed!
Emily
My family loves chicken shawarma wraps and this recipe really hit the spot! I love the addition of fresh cabbage, it adds a nice texture.
Jenn
I had no idea it’d be this easy to make a delicious dish that I’ve only ever had from take-out before! I”ll be making this dish pronto and I can’t wait!
Chichi
Easy to make and so delicious. Love the slices! Thank you
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain
OMG this wraps is all I’m craving now! I LOVE me good shawarma and will defs try this with a gluten-free tortilla warp