• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Sassy Foodie
  • Holidays
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Holidays
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Holidays
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×

The Sassy Foodie » Recipes » Chicken

Spicy Lebanese Style Chicken Shawarma {in the Air Fryer!}

Published: Oct 29, 2021 · Modified: Jan 5, 2022 by Sunena Anand · This post contains affiliate links. I make a commission from sales. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. · 5 Comments

  • Share
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

I love shawarma, but I do not have a rotisserie spit and honestly, I don't have the time! This spicy Lebanese style chicken shawarma packs all the flavours of your favourite shawarma joint, in a fraction of the time. Paired with yellow shawarma rice, and that signature white sauce, you can bring the halal cart home!

spicy lebanese shawarma in a bowl with yellow rice and shawarma sauce
Jump to:
  • A Note About Air Fryers
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Expert Tip
  • Substitutions
  • Variations
  • Equipment
  • Storage
  • Spicy Lebanese Style Chicken Shawarma {in the Air Fryer!}
  • 💬 Comments

A Note About Air Fryers

While air fryers are amazing, their power, sizes and cooking times vary greatly at times. This recipe is based on the air fryer that I use in my kitchen. Please note that cooking times may vary based on the specific brand that you use in your kitchen. For this reason, always keep an eye on your food while cooking. You may need to adjust cooking times up or down based on the brand you are using.

Ingredients

  • Chicken breasts
  • Greek yogurt
  • Olive oil
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Paprika
  • Seven spice seasoning
  • Garlic
Ingredients for spicy shawarma labelled on a sheet tray
  • Mayonnaise
  • Vinegar
  • Sugar
  • Milk
  • Garlic
  • Lemon [optional]
  • Salt

A full list of ingredients with measurements is located on the recipe card, below.

Instructions

START WITH...

Collecting all your ingredients - This will make cooking so much easier. Gather all the spices you will need, and keep them nearby. 

Slicing the chicken breast - Slice the chicken breast into long vertical strips.

Mince the garlic - Mince your fresh garlic, or put it through a garlic press.

Preparing the garlic sauce - Blend the ingredients together for the garlic sauce. For a thicker sauce, omit the milk.

Instructions to prepare chicken shawarma

Mix together the marinade: In a mixing bowl, add the marinade ingredients and combine well. Make sure the oil is mixed well into the yogurt mixture. Add the chicken, and make sure the chicken is well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Air fry: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. I like to use avocado oil spray, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand. Add the chicken to the air fryer basket in one flat layer, and spray with some more cooking spray. Air fry for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Expert Tip

Flip the chicken while cooking! To get a nice crisp exterior on the chicken, make sure you rotate and flip the chicken around while cooking!

Substitutions

  • Seven spice: Seven spice is generally available in the international foods section of the grocery store, or at any middle-eastern grocery store. If you can't find it at the store, seven spice is easy to whip up at home. It is a mix of coriander, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, all spice, black pepper and white pepper. At the very least, use some ground coriander, cumin, cinnamon and black pepper for a similar flavour.
  • Greek yogurt: Substitute with mayonnaise instead of greek yogurt.
  • Chicken breast: If you prefer dark meat, feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.

Variations

  • Beef - Try this recipe with beef instead of chicken, for a different variation!
  • Kid friendly - Omit the cayenne pepper from the marinade to tone the spice level down, making it kid-friendly!

Equipment

This is what I used to make this recipe - Please be mindful that different equipment and cooking utensils may yield varying results. Most of my favourite equipment can be found on my storefront.

  • Mixing bowl
  • Air fryer

Storage

This chicken will keep well in the fridge for 2-3 days, in an airtight container in the fridge.

The chicken can be reheated in the air fryer for optimal results, or on the stove or in the microwave.

Looking for more meal inspiration? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly recipe roundups, straight to your inbox! Follow us on our socials, on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook! If you try one of our recipes, let us know how it was by rating and commenting!

Spicy Lebanese Style Chicken Shawarma {in the Air Fryer!}

This spicy Lebanese style chicken shawarma packs all the flavours of your favourite shawarma joint, in a fraction of the time. Paired with yellow shawarma rice, and that signature white sauce, you can bring the halal cart home!
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 2 Servings
Estimated Calories: 407kcal
Author: Sunena Anand

Ingredients

  • 2 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced vertically, into long strips
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup Olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Seven spice
  • 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Sea salt or to taste

For the Garlic Sauce

  • 1 cup Mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup White vinegar
  • 2 tablespoon Sugar
  • 3 cloves Garlic peeled
  • Salt to taste
  • ⅓ cup Whole milk optional, for a thinner sauce

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Air Fryer

Instructions

  • Make the garlic sauce: Add the ingredients for the garlic sauce to a blender, and blend until the garlic is completely blended. Set aside.
    1 cup Mayonnaise, ¼ cup White vinegar, 2 tablespoon Sugar, 3 cloves Garlic, Salt, ⅓ cup Whole milk
  • Mix together the marinade: In a mixing bowl, add the marinade ingredients and combine well. Add the chicken, and make sure the chicken is well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
    2 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, ½ cup Greek yogurt, ¼ cup Olive oil, 1 tablespoon Seven spice, 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon Paprika, 1 tablespoon Fresh garlic
  • Air fry: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Add the chicken to the air fryer basket in one flat layer, and spray with some more cooking spray. Air fry for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Notes

  • Make sure the oil is well combined into the yogurt marinade. It might require a little extra mixing, as it can separate. 
  • I like to use avocado oil spray when spraying the air fryer basket, and the chicken before cooking. 
  • For a thicker garlic sauce, omit the milk completely. 

Estimated Nutrition

Calories: 407kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 530mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 530IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Have You Tried This Recipe?Don’t forget to leave a comment and rate the recipe! Take a picture and tag @the.sassy.foodie on Instagram for a chance to be featured on our socials!
« Spicy Sausage Rigatoni Al Forno
Yellow Shawarma Rice {Halal Cart Copycat} »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nisha

    December 02, 2021 at 10:42 am

    5 stars
    I actually love shawarma restaurants so I am a tough critic, lol, but this recipe was amazing! I didn't think an air fryer would give me good results, but it worked. Thanks 🙂

    Reply
  2. Sadia

    January 24, 2022 at 2:50 pm

    5 stars
    This chicken was full of flavour. Awesome recipe!

    Reply
  3. Manbir

    March 16, 2022 at 6:44 pm

    5 stars
    This is so good!! We make it once a week!

    Reply
  4. Princess

    October 31, 2022 at 11:45 pm

    5 stars
    I literally just finished making this - the best recipe by far!!! My chicken is so tender and I made the Yellow Shawarma Rice (i sub the rice with cauliflower rice) AMAZING!!!!

    Reply
    • Sunena Anand

      November 08, 2022 at 6:01 pm

      I LOVE to hear that, Princess! The cauliflower rice substitute is a great idea!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Sunena! I am a law student by day, and a homecook with a passion for food, by night! Welcome to my online kitchen, where I make easy, quick recipes that are tried and true family favourites!

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

More about me →

Holiday Recipes

  • Skillet Green Bean Casserole {No Soup!}
  • Air Fryer Salsa Verde Spatchcock Chicken
  • Roasted Hot Honey Glazed Carrots
  • Garlic Parmesan Skillet Rolls {Yeast Dough!}
  • Sourdough Bacon & Pecan Stuffing
  • Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes {Lemon Tahini Sauce}

Popular Recipes

  • Greek Style Potatoes [Spicy Tomato Sauce!]
  • Easy Creamy Lemon Caper Pasta
  • Yellow Shawarma Rice {Halal Cart Copycat}
  • La Scala Copycat Salami Chopped Salad
  • Red Lobster Copycat Brussel Sprouts {Air Fryer}
  • Roasted Eggplant Dip (No Tahini!)

Footer

↑ back to top

Resources

  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Connect

  • Subscribe
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

Contact

  • Contact
  • Collaborate

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2022 The Sassy Foodie