Grilled Chicken Shawarma Kebabs marinated in the most delicious spiced yogurt sauce are tender, juicy, and perfectly grilled! Serve with homemade shawarma sauce and your favorite sides for a healthy flavor-packed meal!
These easy Middle Eastern grilled chicken shawarma kebabs are my favorite thing to make when it’s grilling season! It’s a great recipe to take your average chicken dinner and give it a major upgrade. If you love this recipe, try my chicken shawarma wraps next! They are a family favorite!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- So tasty: There is no doubt that you will love the taste of these chicken shawarma kebabs. They are full of flavor, tender and so juicy.
- Super versatile: This chicken can be served in a wrap, over a fresh green salad, with rice or roasted veggies. So many ways to enjoy this dish!
- Easy to make: All you need is yogurt and some spices to make these kabobs. You can even cook them on an inside or outside grill.
- Perfect for meal prep: Make this chicken ahead of time and then use it throughout the week for quick meals.
Ingredients Needed
This chicken shawarma kebabs recipe is made with a combination of simple ingredients that come together for the most incredible chicken. Here’s everything that you’ll need:
- Chicken breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size chunks. Boneless skinless chicken thighs can also be used.
- Greek yogurt: Gives the marinade a creaminess and adds a subtle tangy flavor. You can also replace it with sour-cream.
- Olive oil: Helps the seasoning blend adhere to the chicken, and ensures that the outside of the chicken gets nice and crisp on the grill.
- Citrus: Lemon juice or lime juice adds just enough acidity to the marinade to bring out all of the great flavor and tenderize the meat.
- Spices: A blend of ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, salt, ground cinnamon, 7 spice (or allspice) and black pepper seasons the chicken for amazing flavor.
Substitutions and Variations
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great alternative to the chicken breast and they usually turn out even juicier and more flavorful.
- Sour cream is a good replacement for the Greek Yogurt.
- You can replace the citrus with apple cider vinegar or white vinegar.
- Add some heat with a dash or two of red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
How to Make This Recipe
Once the chicken skewers have marinated, you can have this ready to serve in just about 10 minutes! Here’s how:
- Marinate chicken: Whisk the Greek yogurt, oil, lemon, garlic, and spices in a large bowl. Add the chicken pieces and toss to combine. Place in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes or overnight.
- Assemble kebabs: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Thread the chicken onto metal skewers.
- Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Oil grill grates to prevent sticking. Cook chicken for 10 minutes, flipping, in between or until charred on the outside and cooked through on the inside.
- Serve: Enjoy with a side of my shawarma sauce, if desired.
Helpful Tips
- Marinating time: Be sure to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes before cooking it. This will ensure the meat is plenty flavorful and tender.
- Grill inside: You can grill these chicken shawarma kebabs on an indoor grill pan if you dont have an outdoor grill.
- Using wooden skewers: We like to use metal skewers best, but if using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water for a few minutes to prevent them from burning, especially if you are using an outdoor grill.
Ways to Serve
There are so many delicious ways to enjoy this grilled chicken shawarma! Here are some options we love:
- Fill pita pockets or wraps with the chicken, sauce and some type of slaw or veggies.
- Serve over rice with roasted or pickled veggies and sauce drizzled over the top. These chicken shawarma bowls are another great option!
- Make lettuce wraps or enjoy with cauliflower rice for a low-carb, keto-friendly version.
- Pair the chicken with your favorite sides or add it to a fresh green salad.
More Grilled Chicken Recipes
- Peruvian Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Chili Cilantro Limi Chicken
- Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Breasts
- Grilled Tandoori Chicken
- Grilled Chicken with Avocado Salsa
- Air Fryer Grilled Chicken
Grilled Chicken Shawarma Kebabs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size chunks
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup olive or avocado oil
- 2 Tablespoons lemon or lime juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons EACH ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, kosher salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon EACH 7 spice (or allspice), ground cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk the Greek yogurt, oil, lemon, garlic, and spices in a large bowl. Add the chicken pieces and toss to combine. Place in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes or overnight.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Thread the chicken onto metal skewers.
- Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Oil grill grates to prevent sticking. Cook chicken for 10 minutes, flipping, in between or until charred on the outside and cooked through on the inside.
- Serve with a side of shawarma sauce, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What is chicken shawarma made of?
Chicken shawarma is a popular recipe in Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s made with pieces of chicken that are marinated in a yogurt spice blend and then cooked to perfection. In this recipe, we’re adding the chicken pieces to skewers and grilling them for maximum flavor.
How long do you cook grilled chicken?
You will want to grill the chicken about 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Be sure not to overcook the chicken or it will turn out overly dry. It is best to check the temperature with an instant read thermometer after a few minutes and rotations.
How to know when chicken shawarma kebabs are done?
The safest and surest method to check for doneness is to use a digital meat thermometer. Insert the tip into the thickest part of the breast and when the internal temperature reaches 165°F, remove it from the grill.
Storage Recommendations
- Storing leftovers: Once the cooked chicken has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To reheat: You can reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
OMG..if you like Chicken Shawarma – this is the recipe to make… and if you have ever wondered what Chicken Shawarma tastes like, but were afraid to spend money at a restaurant to find out, try this simple recipe that tastes just like a restaurant quality! I really wasn’t sure what to expect when making this for the first time, but tried because it was so simple. I do not have an outside grill, so made it on a grill pan on the stove. Came out perfect! Thank you for my new go-to recipe when I am in the mood for Chicken Shawarma! Absolutely delicious! I have already shared the recipe with friends who saw my version on this meal.
What’s the difference between kebabs and kabobs?
There is no difference! Just spelling depending on region.
I don’t have a grill…is there another way to make this chicken? It looks delicious.
Yes, you can cut the chicken pieces into small chunks and sautee in a hot pan until cooked through or roast in the oven at 450F until cooked through.