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.

Hard
Updated March 14, 2026
2 views

20

Prep Time (min)

720

Cook Time (min)

4

servings

430

Calories/serving

Hard

Difficulty

Chicken Shawarma with homemade garlic herb yoghurt sauce

Ingredients

Servings:
4
  • 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

  1. Step 1

    Start by cutting your chicken up into reasonably small slices. Grab your ziplock bag and dump the freshly sliced chicken inside.

    5 minutes
    Keep your fingers curled under (claw grip) for safety when cutting.
  2. 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 minutes
    Taste as you go and adjust seasoning gradually — you can always add more but can't take it away.
  3. 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 minutes
    Test the oil temperature with a small piece of food — it should sizzle immediately.
  4. 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 minutes
    Test the oil temperature with a small piece of food — it should sizzle immediately.
  5. 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 minutes
    Keep your fingers curled under (claw grip) for safety when cutting.
  6. 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 minutes
    Taste as you go and adjust seasoning gradually — you can always add more but can't take it away.

💡 Tips & Tricks

This Saudi Arabian recipe for Chicken Shawarma with homemade garlic herb yoghurt sauce is best served fresh. Adjust seasoning to your taste.

🔄 Variations

• Protein swap: Try substituting the main protein with chicken, tofu, or shrimp for a different take on this dish. • Spice level: Adjust the heat to your preference — add more chili for extra kick, or reduce it for a milder version. • Vegetarian: Replace meat with mushrooms, chickpeas, or your favorite plant-based protein. • Fusion twist: Combine elements of Saudi cuisine with your local favorites for a creative fusion dish.

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:

🍽️Steamed rice or crusty bread
🍽️A fresh green salad
🍽️Seasonal roasted vegetables

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.

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Nutrition Facts

4 serving(s) per recipe

Serving size1 serving
Calories430kcal
Total Fat19g
Sodium698mg
Total Carbohydrates47g
Dietary Fiber3g
Protein52g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.

Recipe Details

CuisineSaudi
CategoryLunch
CountrySaudi Arabia