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!
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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
- 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.
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.
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Spicy Lebanese Style Chicken Shawarma {in the Air Fryer!}
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
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.
Equipment
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.
Nisha
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 🙂
Sadia
This chicken was full of flavour. Awesome recipe!
Manbir
This is so good!! We make it once a week!