Mouthwatering Homemade Chicken Shawarma Sandwich Recipes

Delicious Chicken Shawarma Sandwich Recipes Made Easy

Chicken shawarma has become one of the most popular Middle Eastern foods around the world. The savory blend of spices combined with tender chicken meat stacked high in a warm pita or wrap is simply irresistible. While you can always grab a chicken shawarma sandwich from your local Middle Eastern restaurant, nothing beats the flavor of homemade. With the right ingredients and a few easy steps, you can make restaurant-quality chicken shawarma sandwiches right in your own kitchen.

What is Chicken Shawarma?

Chicken shawarma refers to thinly sliced chicken that has been marinated in a blend of spices and herbs before being roasted or grilled. The traditional shawarma spices include cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, coriander, and a variety of chili peppers. These warm, aromatic spices infuse the chicken meat with incredible depth of flavor.

To make chicken shawarma sandwiches, the flavorful sliced chicken is layered into a pita bread or flatbread wrap along with toppings like tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and tahini or garlic sauce. The combination of the savory chicken, fresh vegetables, and tangy sauces results in an exploding mix of flavors in every bite.

Benefits of Making Homemade Chicken Shawarma

Here are some of the benefits of making your own chicken shawarma sandwiches at home:

• Customize the flavors - You can tweak the spice blend to suit your tastes
• Control the ingredients - Use high quality ingredients like organic chicken and fresh produce
• Save money - Far cheaper than buying sandwiches at a restaurant regularly
• Healthy protein - Chicken shawarma is a nutritious high protein meal
• Fun weekend project - Great recipe to make with family or friends
• Impress guests - Serve chicken shawarma sandwiches at your next gathering

Tips for Making the Best Homemade Chicken Shawarma

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind for making incredible chicken shawarma sandwiches at home:

• Use thigh fillets - Chicken thigh fillets stay juicier than breast meat
• Marinate overnight - Let the chicken marinate for at least 2-3 hours, or up to overnight
• Slice thinly - Use a sharp knife to slice the chicken into thin strips for even cooking
• Broil or grill - Get nice char lines by cooking under a broiler or on a grill pan
• Warm the pita - Lightly toast or warm the pita to keep sandwiches from getting soggy
• Layer thoughtfully - Spread sauces on both sides and layer vegetables on bottom
• Add creamy tahini - Drizzle tahini sauce over the chicken for added richness

Chicken Shawarma Sandwich Recipes

Now let's get into some delicious homemade chicken shawarma sandwich recipes you can make in your own kitchen using high quality ingredients from Al Fez. Their authentic Middle Eastern products are perfect for making incredible chicken shawarma at home.

1. Easy Chicken Shawarma Sandwiches

These straightforward chicken shawarma sandwiches are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. The chicken is infused with shawarma spices and grilled until juicy and tender. Piled high in warm pita breads with fresh veggies and creamy tahini sauce, these sandwiches are full of fresh Middle Eastern flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken thigh fillets
• 3 Tbsp Al Fez Shawarma Spice Mix
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 6 small pitas or flatbreads
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1⁄2 cup sliced red onion
• Shredded lettuce
• 1⁄2 cup Al Fez Tahini Sauce

Instructions:

1. Slice chicken thigh fillets into 1⁄4 inch thick strips.
2. Coat chicken strips evenly with Al Fez Shawarma Spice Mix.
3. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add spiced chicken strips and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
4. Lightly toast pitas then spread both sides with tahini sauce.
5. Fill pitas with chicken strips, tomatoes, onion, and lettuce.
6. Serve chicken shawarma sandwiches immediately while chicken is hot.

2. Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Garlic Sauce

For a lighter take, try these chicken shawarma wraps made with whole wheat flatbreads. The chicken gets its shawarma flavors from a yogurt marinade. Cool garlic sauce balances the spices perfectly in each tasty bite.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken thigh fillets
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 Tbsp Al Fez Shawarma Spice Mix
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1⁄4 cup mayonnaise
• 1⁄4 cup sour cream
• 4 whole wheat flatbreads
• Chopped tomatoes, onion, lettuce (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Whisk together Greek yogurt, Al Fez shawarma spice, lemon juice, and half of the minced garlic in a bowl. Add chicken and turn to coat in marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
2. In another small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and remaining minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
3. Preheat oven broiler. Transfer marinated chicken to a greased baking sheet. Broil 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through and slightly charred.
4. Slice chicken into strips. Assemble wraps with chicken, garlic sauce, tomatoes, onion, lettuce, and any other desired toppings.

3. Spicy Chicken Shawarma Pita Sandwiches

These chicken shawarma sandwiches have some heat from a homemade shawarma seasoning blend. Grilling the chicken gives it delicious char lines and smoky flavor. Topped with a chili garlic sauce, they are perfect for spice lovers.

Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 lbs chicken thigh fillets
• 3 Tbsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil, plus more for brushing
• 6 small pitas
• Shredded lettuce, diced tomato
• 1⁄2 cup Al Fez Chili Garlic Sauce

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne, 1⁄4 cup olive oil, and salt. Rub spice mixture all over chicken. Let marinate 15 minutes.
2. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly brush chicken with oil and grill 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through and charred.
3. Slice chicken into thin strips. Lightly toast pitas then fill with chicken, lettuce, tomato, and chili garlic sauce.

Make Delicious Homemade Shawarma Any Night

With these easy chicken shawarma sandwich recipes, you can enjoy incredible Middle Eastern flavor any night of the week. The authentic spices and sauces from Al Fez make it simple to create restaurant-worthy shawarma in your own kitchen. Impress your family with shawarma wraps or share a spread of shawarma pitas at your next gathering. No matter how you enjoy them, these chicken shawarma sandwiches are sure to become a new favorite recipe.

FAQs

What is the best cut of chicken to use for shawarma?

Chicken thigh fillets are the best cut to use for shawarma. They stay juicier than chicken breasts when sliced thinly and cooked.

How long should I marinate the chicken?

For the best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 2-3 hours but ideally overnight in the refrigerator.

What is the best way to cook chicken shawarma?

Grilling or broiling the chicken gives great char lines and flavor. Pan frying also works well to quickly cook the sliced chicken.

What toppings go well with chicken shawarma?

Popular toppings include tomatoes, red onion, shredded lettuce, tahini sauce, garlic sauce, hot sauce, hummus, and pickled turnips.

What can I serve with chicken shawarma sandwiches?

Great side dishes include rice pilaf, tabbouleh salad, lentil soup, roasted vegetables, and pita chips.