Chicken Shawarma with homemade garlic herb yoghurt sauce
Authentic Saudi Arabian Chicken Shawarma with homemade garlic herb yoghurt sauce — a delicious chicken dish with 14 ingredients. Follow our detailed step-by-step instructions for the perfect result.
20
Prep Time (min)
720
Cook Time (min)
4
servings
430
Calories/serving
Hard
Difficulty

Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken Breast
- 2 cloves minced Garlic
- 1 tblsp Ground Coriander
- 1 tblsp Ground Cumin
- 1 tblsp Ground Cardomom
- 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 2 tsp Salt
- 2 tblsp Lemon Juice
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt
- 1 clove peeled crushed Garlic
- 1 tsp Cumin
- Splash Lemon Juice
Instructions
6 steps · ~31 minutes total
Step 1
Start by cutting your chicken up into reasonably small slices. Grab your ziplock bag and dump the freshly sliced chicken inside.
5 minutesKeep your fingers curled under (claw grip) for safety when cutting.Step 2
Add garlic, coriander, cumin, cardomom, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, pepper, lemon juice and olive oil to the bag. Close the bag and mix thoroughly. Place in fridge for 10-12 hours (shorter is fine but longer is better).
3 minutesTaste as you go and adjust seasoning gradually — you can always add more but can't take it away.Step 3
Once ready to cook, heat your fry pan to medium-high and add a tiny bit of olive oil. Fry one side of all of your flatbreads until slightly toasty. Remove from pan, add enough oil to coat the fry pan. Put crumble fries into air fryer on 180 for 15 minutes shaking occasionally.
8 minutesTest the oil temperature with a small piece of food — it should sizzle immediately.Step 4
The pan should be pretty hot by now, add the chicken in 2 batches (unless you have a big fry pan) to avoid overcrowding. The chicken should get a nice sear and darker colour which is perfect. Cook for a further 5-8 minutes or until cooked through. Repeat with next chicken batch.
8 minutesTest the oil temperature with a small piece of food — it should sizzle immediately.Step 5
While chicken is cooking, place your Greek yoghurt into a bowl. Combine garlic, finely chopped mint and parsley, squeeze or so of lemon and cumin. Combine and add salt to taste. In a small bowl, combine 1tsp garlic powder, paprika, cumin, onion powder, oregano, dried parsley, cayenne pepper (optional) mix and leave aside for fries.
5 minutesKeep your fingers curled under (claw grip) for safety when cutting.Step 6
Season fries immediately once cooked and add salt to taste. Once the chicken is complete, serve immediately by laying out your flatbread, spreading the sauce evenly over the bread, add lettuce, onion, tomato, fries, chicken, feta and more sauce on top. Serve immediately.
2 minutesTaste as you go and adjust seasoning gradually — you can always add more but can't take it away.
💡 Tips & Tricks
🔄 Variations
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Up to 3 days in an airtight container
Freezer
Up to 2 months — thaw overnight in fridge
Reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
What to Serve With
Complete your saudi meal with these perfect pairings:
About This Dish
Chicken Shawarma with homemade garlic herb yoghurt sauce is a beloved dish from Saudi cuisine, originating in Saudi Arabia. With a total preparation time of about 740 minutes, it is a rewarding project for when you have extra time in the kitchen.
Saudi cuisine offers a rich tapestry of flavors and cooking traditions that reflect the culture and history of the region. This dish is a wonderful example of its distinctive culinary heritage.
This recipe is rated hard difficulty and uses 14 ingredients. Experienced cooks will appreciate the technique involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
For authentic Shawarma, boneless chicken thighs are recommended due to their rich flavor and tenderness when marinated and cooked.
Rate This Recipe
How was this recipe?
Nutrition Facts
4 serving(s) per recipe
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.





