This delicious recipe for Chicken Shawarma Bowls is chock full of marinated meat, fresh veggies, and your choice of toppings. Let your family build their own Shawarma plate tonight with a great recipe that couldn’t be quicker or easier to throw together.

overhead view of a chicken shawarma bowl with text overlay "Build Your Own Chicken Shawarma Bowls"

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The word “Shawarma” means to rotate or split roast and authentic Shawarma is cooked for hours on a vertical rotisserie machine or vertical spit.

While the results are out of this world delicious, this cooking method isn’t practical on a Wednesday night when we’re trying to get the family fed in between school and soccer practice. It’s often considered the world’s most popular street food and is sold by street vendors throughout Middle Eastern countries.

This short-cup recipe combines precooked rotisserie chicken and simple marinade ingredients to create a weeknight take on shawarma meat.

overhead view of a chicken shawarma bowl with chicken, shawarma garlic sauce, cucumbers, chick peas, red onions, tomatoes, and kalamata olives

What You’ll Need to Make the Chicken Shawarma Rotisserie Recipe

3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken breast
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander seed

Ingredient Notes

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Meat works perfectly in this recipe in place of the rotisserie chicken.
You can substitute skinless chicken thighs for chicken breasts if you prefer dark meat.

How to Make This Simple Recipe For Chicken Shawarma Recipe

Place the shredded chicken and olive oil in a large bowl, tossing to coat the chicken in oil.

Next, combine the Shawarma seasoning (salt, cumin, thyme, and coriander seed) in a small bowl.

Finally, add the spice mixture to the chicken, tossing it to coat.

You can serve the chicken right away or make it ahead of time and leave it in the refrigerator to marinate until you’re ready to build your Chicken Shawarma dinner bar.

What You’ll Need to Make the Garlic Yogurt Sauce

This creamy yogurt sauce is filled with flavor the perfect accompaniment to these bowls.

1/2 cup Greek plain yogurt
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon tahini
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cumin
2 garlic cloves, minced

chicken shawarma bowl next to a stack of empty bowls and ingredients

How to Make the Shawarma Garlic Sauce With Greek Yogurt

Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use. (If you have leftovers, this garlicky Shawarma sauce makes a great dipping sauce for french fries!)

Optional Ingredients to Include in Your Chicken Shawarma Bowl Dinner Bar

Like any build-your-own dinner bar, you should feel free to build your topping bar around your family’s or guests’ personal preferences.

Here are items that pair perfectly with easy homemade chicken shawarma:

Fresh Vegetables

Red Onions
Bell Peppers
English Cucumber
Grape Tomatoes

Breads/Grains/Beans

Rice
Farro
Chickpeas
Warm Pita Bread
Pita Pocket (Perfect if anyone wants to make Chicken Shawarma Wraps instead of a bowl!)
Flat Bread

Condiments

Hot sauce
Tahini Sauce
Cayenne Pepper
Red Pepper Flakes
Black Pepper
Hummus
Pickled Turnips

Cheese

Feta Cheese

How to Serve Homemade Shawarma

Serving your Chicken Shawarma bowls couldn’t be easier! Simply set out the chicken, garlic yogurt white sauce, and your choice of toppings. Give everyone a bowl and let them create their own custom bowls.

More Inspired Middle Eastern Cuisine For You to Try!