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34 Comments

Easy Chicken Shawarma Grilled

Kathleen

by Kathleen Pope May 27, 2024

Jump to Recipe

Grilled Chicken Shawarma Long Pin with top image of dripping garlic yogurt sauce from spoon onto shawarma bowl and bottom image of plated bright chicken shawarma with cucumbers, tomatoes, naan, lemons and artichoke hearts.

Easy Grilled Chicken Shawarma is out of this world! I mean who wouldn’t love chicken marinated in bright, healthy Mediterranean spices, then grilled to tender tasty perfection. A low-carb, delicious, healthy and filling meal, a recipe that is on repeat in our home!

Delicious bright Mediterranean spices flavor an easy to make marinade, my favorite type of meal! Paired with fresh tomatoes, crispy cucumbers and drizzled with a garlic sauce makes this out of this world delicious.

If you are into easy chicken marinades, you have to try my Copycat Chipotle Chicken, Coconut Lime Chicken or this Blackberry Grilled Chicken Salad with Fried Goat Cheese.

plate filled with sliced chicken shawarma on a bed of cous cous with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese and grilled artichoke hearts, with some naan bread and slices of lemon.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure & privacy policy.

Served atop a bed of couscous (or keep it gluten free using quinoa or rice), topped with crisp cucumbers, tomatoes, feta cheese, artichoke hearts and drizzled with a light garlic yogurt sauce and homemade naan will take it over the top!

I love recipes like Shawarma Chicken; with only a few minutes prep, you can have multiple freezer meals. In fact this recipe is on repeat in our family! It’s that GOOD! It’s so fresh, bright and is bursting with Mediterranean colors and flavors.

A heart healthy recipe using simple marinade ingredients that you probably already have in your cupboard!

Chicken Shawarma Bowl in a bowl with couscous, cucmbers, tomtaoes, homemade naan and a lemon wedge.

Making Shawarma Marinade

Double or triple the recipe for the marinade or just the spices; freezing once you’ve added the chicken. Cut your breasts in half, lengthwise (not necessary with thighs). Then place your chicken breasts in a sturdy gallon baggie (I like freezer baggies, they are a bit thicker).

Using a meat mallet (I’ve had this one forever!) Pound chicken until they are all about ยฝ inch thick. Try boneless, skinless chicken thighs too!! Sooo tender!

Pounding - Flattening Chicken Breasts.

In a small bowl combine the marinade ingredients. Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, garlic cloves, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, curry powder, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, kosher salt (my favorite), and pepper to taste; mix well.

Meal Prep Tips

If making multiple batches of Chicken Shawarma, place pounded chicken in separate baggies in increments large (or small) enough to feed your family. Or simply make your spice packets ahead of time then you just need to add lemon juice and oil to marinate!

Then multiply your marinade ingredients according to the number of batches/pounds. Example: 2 batches = 2 lbs chicken = double the marinade. 

Marinated Chicken in Baggie.

Squeeze out as much air from the baggie before sealing, then squish marinade around to evenly coat the chicken. Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, up to overnight in the fridge or freeze.

FREEZING TIP

Lay as flat as possible in freezer, simply remove from freezer and allow to thaw in fridge overnight or on the counter for a couple hours when ready to grill.

EASY GARLIC YOGURT SAUCE

Make the Garlic Yogurt Sauce! 4 ingredients, easy, packed with flavor recipe! Or substitute with Tzatziki sauce!

Once your shawarma chicken has hung out in the marinade 30 minutes or longer, fire up the grill or grill pan to medium heat and prep your toppings for your bowls. But first, if you want a grain with this meal, get that started.

I love serving this dish over couscous, mainly because I like saying it! “Just a little grain of couscous”…pretty sure that was from a cartoon my kids watched when they were little.

Spoonful of garlic lemon sauce going onto Grilled Chicken Shawarma bowl.

Try it with your favorite grain –  rice pilaf, brown rice or quinoa as well! Simply follow the instructions on the box!

box of Near East Roasted Garlic and Olive OIl Couscous.

If you are using a grill pan (I love my Lodge Grill & Griddle pan), toss your artichoke hearts onto the grill for a few minutes as well.

Not necessary, but enhances the flavors a bit. If you still want to do this and you don’t have a grill pan, try using a sheet of foil on your outside grill. This step is completely optional.

grilling artichoke hearts for chicken shawarma.

How to Grill Shawarma Chicken

Over medium-high heat, grill chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes (thighs 4-5 minutes) until it no longer sticks to the grill. Turn and grill an additional 3-4 minutes, remove chicken and allow to rest on a plate for 5 minutes.

Shawarma Chicken Breast with grill marks.

Look at those beautiful colors, courtesy of the turmeric and curry powder!

Squeezing a lemon onto  a bowl of grilled chicken shawarma.

How to Build a Shawarma Bowl

  • Slice, dice or shred some cucumbers
  • Halve or dice some tomatoes
  • Crumbled feta or goat cheese
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
  • A squeeze of lemon
  • Artichoke hearts, quartered (marinated or in brine)
  • Sliced red onion or try Pickled Red Onions
  • Sliced Kalamata or other Greek olives

After your meat has rested, slice thinly and lay on top of grain. 

Slicing Shawarma Chicken for bowls using knife on cutting board.

In individual bowls or plates, lay sliced Shawarma Chicken on a bed of couscous (or other grain); toss on cucumbers, tomatoes and artichoke hearts, feta cheese crumbles and drizzle some of that delicious Garlic Yogurt Sauce. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley (I like flat leaf for this), cilantro and a wedge of lemon.

Plate filled with grilled chicken shawarma with artichoke hearts, cucumbers, fresh tomatoes, feta cheese and fresh naan.

Serve as pre-made bowls or allow everyone to assemble their own, like a taco bar. Don’t forget the pita bread or try my homemade naan! Oh those flat breads, I could so easily live in the Mediterranean!

This recipe has been adapted from the Skinny Taste

Like this recipe?

Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!

Recipe Card

Chicken Shawarma Bowls

5 from 10 readers
Author: Kathleen Pope
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Marinate Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 -6 bowls
Print Pin SaveSaved!
A simple marinated and grilled chicken dish that is easy to dress up or down. Serve with couscous, rice, pilaf or quinoa. Add chopped fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and artichoke hearts and drizzle with an amazing garlic yogurt sauce. Low Carb, Keto, Gluten Free options!

Equipment

  • Lodge 10.5 Inch Square Cast Iron Grill Pan. 
  • Now Designs Pinch Bowls (Set of 6), Modern Colors
  • Wusthof Santoku knife 5 inch; Black

Ingredients 
US Customary – Metric

Shawarma Chicken Marinade

  • 1 pound chicken breasts 2 large boneless, skinless breasts. Cut in half, lengthwise. Try boneless skinless chicken thighs too.
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil I like extra virgin
  • 1 medium lemon juiced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ยผ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ยผ teaspoon curry powder
  • โ…› teaspoon cinnamon
  • Dash red pepper flakes
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 1 recipe Easy Garlic Yogurt Sauce

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

  • Couscous rice pilaf, brown rice or quinoa (cooked) 1 cup serving per person
  • Diced or sliced English cucumber
  • Diced or halved grape or cherry tomatoes
  • 1 can artichoke hearts halved (brined or marinated, grill if time)
  • Feta Cheese crumble on top
  • Garnish with chopped fresh, flat leaf parsley optional
  • Lemon wedge squeeze over entire ingredients when serving
  • Sliced Red Onions or Pickled Red Onions
  • Sliced Greek or Kalamata olives
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Prepping the Marinade for Chicken Shawarma

  • Slice chicken breasts in half, lengthwise. Place chicken breasts or thighs in sturdy freezer baggie (gallon size). Using a meat mallet (or bottom of a wine bottle or large jar) pound each breast to about ยฝ inch thickness. Careful not to puncture the bag.
  • In a medium bowl, combine your olive oil, lemon juice and whisk to combine. Add the garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, curry powder, cinnamon, red pepper, salt and pepper. Whisk until combined. Pour marinade over chicken in the baggie, squeeze out the air and seal. Squish the marinade to completely cover chicken. Refrigerate for a minimum of an hour up to overnight or freeze for later use.

Grilling Chicken & Assembling the Bowls 

  • Once chicken has marinated and you are ready to grill, heat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, oil lightly. Prepare couscous, quinoa, brown rice or rice pilaf according to package directions.
  • Grill chicken for 3-4 minutes (4-5 for thigh meat), meat shouldn't stick once it's ready to turn. If using a grill pan, grill your artichoke hearts for a few minutes if desired. Remove and set aside. Turn the chicken and grill an additional 3-4 minutes. Remove chicken from grill to plate, covering with foil; allow to rest for 5 minutes. Slice it thin. Serve over prepared couscous or other grain. Garnish with sliced cucumbers, fresh tomatoes, artichoke hearts, feta cheese, red onion, olives, etc. Drizzle bowl with
    garlic yogurt sauce and serve immediately with a lemon wedge and chopped flat leaf parsley or chopped cilantro.
Last step! Leave a RatingRate this recipe here. This helps other readers and helps support this website.

Notes

TIP #1 | If you are tight on time, purchase store bought Tzatziki sauce (usually found near the hummus and salsa) in place of the yogurt sauce. Give yourself permission to do that sometimes!
#2 | If you are freezing marinated chicken, squeeze out as much air and lay as flat as possible and freeze. When ready to grill, simply remove from freezer and allow to thaw in fridge overnight or on the counter for a couple hours.
#3| If making more than one batch to freeze for later, place your chicken in separate baggies in 1 lb (more/less depending on family size) increments, simply multiply your marinade ingredients according to the number of batches.
This recipe is adapted from Skinny Taste.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 715mg | Potassium: 492mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 294IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
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My Signature Recipes!

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Kathleen Pope

Meet Kathleen

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, Iโ€™m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.

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Comments

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  1. Michaela Kenkel

    Mon, Jun 14, 2021 at 11:24 am

    My whole family is IN LOVE with this fresh and tasty recipe! Thank you!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen

      Tue, Jun 15, 2021 at 3:45 pm

      Thank you so much! I couldn’t agree more!

      Reply
  2. Erin

    Mon, Jun 14, 2021 at 10:13 am

    My family devoured these bowls last night, and I was so happy with the end result. We’ll definitely be making them again.

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen

      Tue, Jun 15, 2021 at 3:45 pm

      Thank you Erin, so glad you loved them!

      Reply
  3. Julie Menghini

    Sun, Jun 13, 2021 at 3:31 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve heard of Shawarma for a long time but once trying this recipe, am a shawarma lover. I agree with you on Meditteranean food. We love it!

    Reply
  4. Sheila Thigpen

    Fri, Jun 11, 2021 at 7:12 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious chicken and great tips for meal prep! This is always a hit with my family!

    Reply
  5. Erin

    Mon, Jun 8, 2020 at 2:21 am

    5 stars
    We had a hankering for shawarma tonight, and man, this one delivered! Perfection!

    Reply
  6. Deb Clark

    Sat, Jun 6, 2020 at 10:43 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! Love all of the flavor in this meal. It is fantastic!

    Reply
  7. Becky

    Fri, Jun 5, 2020 at 3:45 am

    5 stars
    Perfect healthy, yummy recipe for my GF life. Everyone can customize their own. It’s always a hit!

    Reply
  8. Nikki

    Thu, Jun 4, 2020 at 3:14 pm

    5 stars
    Made these for lunch this week and amazing!!!!

    Reply
  9. Julie Menghini

    Tue, Jun 2, 2020 at 2:27 am

    5 stars
    This made a wonderful lunch! Tons of flavor without feeling like you’re going into a food comb!

    Reply
  10. MICHAELA KENKEL

    Tue, Jun 2, 2020 at 12:10 am

    5 stars
    Made these over the weekend and they were fantastic!!

    Reply
  11. Jennifer Stewart

    Mon, Jun 1, 2020 at 9:20 am

    I am totally in love with this bowl! All the tangy flavors and I am totally addicted to the smell of the spices. I might make a perfume out of it!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen

      Wed, Jun 3, 2020 at 11:50 am

      Just had this for dinner the other night (again) and everyone gobbled it up, so fresh, vibrant and I love the spices on the chicken! I’ll wear that perfume! Thanks Jennifer!

      Reply
  12. Jennifer Stewart

    Mon, Jun 1, 2020 at 3:19 pm

    5 stars

    Reply
  13. paige

    Mon, Jun 1, 2020 at 1:42 pm

    5 stars
    Another winner! This recipe is fresh and easy and delicious!

    Reply
  14. Lynn Spencer

    Fri, May 1, 2020 at 7:20 am

    I am so glad I saw this recipe this morning! I have all the stuff and looking forward to making it this weekend.

    Reply
  15. Jennifer Jonell

    Fri, Sep 6, 2019 at 7:20 pm

    Oh my goodness! This was a huge hit! Even though I couldn’t grill (huge down pour today) just put the chicken in the pan it was amazing! I even took a picture as I was happy to make it look good too! Thank you Kathleen you saved my Friday!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen

      Fri, Sep 6, 2019 at 10:20 pm

      I love hearing this Jen!! Thanks so much!! And yes it was indeed a huge downpour!

      Reply
  16. Miz Helen

    Tue, Aug 13, 2019 at 10:43 am

    I can’t wait to try this recipe, it looks fantastic and I am pinning it! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday,444 and hope you have a great week!
    Miz Helen

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen

      Tue, Aug 13, 2019 at 7:09 pm

      Itโ€™s light, flavorful and so easy! Thank you Miz Helen!

      Reply
  17. Tasia ~ TwoSugarBugs

    Fri, Aug 9, 2019 at 8:30 pm

    This sounds fantastic Kathleen! I’m always looking for new ways to prepare chicken so I need to give this a try!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen

      Fri, Aug 9, 2019 at 8:36 pm

      Itโ€™s so delish and I think your sugarbird will like it too.

      Reply
  18. Harriet

    Fri, Aug 9, 2019 at 6:09 pm

    This looks like a nice easy summer meal idea. Iโ€™ll be pinning this recipe to make when the weather gets warmer.

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen

      Fri, Aug 9, 2019 at 6:59 pm

      I donโ€™t think youโ€™ll be disappointed Harriet. Itโ€™s one of our favorites!!

      Reply
  19. Becky

    Tue, Sep 18, 2018 at 12:49 pm

    These chicken shawarma bowls were amazing! Another fabulous recipe!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen

      Wed, Sep 19, 2018 at 1:57 pm

      Thank you Becky, so glad to hear you liked the shawarma bowls!!

      Reply
  20. Kristina Yarrington

    Tue, Jul 10, 2018 at 7:36 pm

    We made the chicken shawarma bowls tonight. So yummy!!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen

      Tue, Jul 10, 2018 at 7:51 pm

      That makes me so happy Kristina!! Glad everyone liked them!!

      Reply
  21. Kimberly

    Fri, Jul 6, 2018 at 5:48 pm

    YUM! I’m trying this tonight ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen

      Fri, Jul 6, 2018 at 5:50 pm

      Yay!! Let me know what you think.

      Reply
  22. KathleenKathleen

    Fri, Jul 6, 2018 at 6:33 am

    LOL!! Nice Bob!!

    Reply
  23. bob stud

    Fri, Jul 6, 2018 at 6:22 am

    OR, โ€œyumsters…:!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  24. bob stud

    Fri, Jul 6, 2018 at 6:21 am

    Hamsters……?

    Reply

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Kathleen Pope

Meet Kathleen

Hey there! I'm Kathleen Pope, a proud wife, mom of two awesome college boys, and recipe nerd. Welcome to my world of easy recipes with a healthy twist! Join thousands who trust The Fresh Cooky as their go-to recipe source. Let's cook up some magic!

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