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Chicken Shawarma
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High ProteinMiddle Eastern
Chicken·Updated Sep 5, 2025

Chicken Shawarma

4.9(70)
18 min
Time
400°F
Temp
310 cal
Cal
4
Serves

Chicken Shawarma is made with boneless, olive oil, lemon juice, cumin; air fry at 400°F for 18 minutes to serve 4. 310 calories per serving.

CM
Clara Moretti·Recipe Developer & Air Fryer Specialist
Updated Sep 5, 2025

Ingredients

Chicken
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
Spice Blend
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp cayenne
1 tsp salt
3 cloves garlic, minced
Garlic Sauce
1/2 cup plain yogurt
2 tbsp tahini
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt to taste
Serving
Pita bread
Pickled turnips
Sliced tomato and cucumber
Fresh parsley

Equipment

  • Instant-Read Meat Thermometer

Steps

  1. 1

    Mix spice blend with olive oil and lemon juice. Coat chicken thighs. Marinate 1 hour minimum.

  2. 2

    Air fry at 400°F for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway, until charred edges and 165°F internal.

  3. 3

    Rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.

  4. 4

    Mix garlic sauce ingredients.

  5. 5

    Pile chicken into warm pita with garlic sauce, pickled turnips, tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley.

💡

Tip: The spice blend is what makes shawarma — don't skip the cinnamon and allspice, they're the secret. Slice thinly against the grain for tender bites. The garlic sauce is essential, not optional.

Why Air Fry This?

  • ⏱️Ready in 18 minutes vs ~32 in a conventional oven — no preheating needed.
  • 🍖Circulating hot air renders fat and seals in juices for a crispier outside and tender inside.
  • ⚡Uses significantly less energy than heating a full-size oven for a single batch.
🎉

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Frequently Asked Questions

Cook Chicken Shawarma at 400°F for 18 minutes. The spice blend is what makes shawarma — don't skip the cinnamon and allspice, they're the secret. Slice thinly against the grain for tender bites. The garlic sauce is essential, not optional.

You need: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tsp cumin, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp coriander, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp allspice, 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1 tsp salt, 3 cloves garlic, minced, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 2 tbsp tahini, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 tbsp lemon juice, Salt to taste, Pita bread, Pickled turnips, Sliced tomato and cucumber, Fresh parsley. This recipe serves 4 with 310 calories per serving.

Chicken Shawarma takes 18 minutes total at 400°F. Pile chicken into warm pita with garlic sauce, pickled turnips, tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley.

This recipe is rated Medium. It serves 4 and takes just 18 minutes at 400°F.

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