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Close-up of a delicious Chicken Gyro in pita bread filled with grilled chicken, tzatziki sauce, and fresh vegetables.

Creamy Garlic Shawarma Chicken Sandwich for Easy Dinners

A flavorful and quick-to-make chicken shawarma sandwich featuring tender, air-fried chicken marinated in aromatic spices, generously slathered with a tangy, creamy garlic sauce, and tucked into warm pita bread with fresh vegetables. Perfect for a weeknight meal!
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Fusion, Middle Eastern
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Shawarma Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs chicken breast or boneless, skinless thighs sliced into 1/2-inch strips
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp ground turmeric
  • 0.5 tsp ground coriander
  • 0.25 tsp ground allspice
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for heat
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
For the Creamy Garlic Sauce (Toum-Style)
  • 0.5 cup good quality mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt for a lighter option
  • 4-5 cloves garlic peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp water or milk, to thin
  • 0.25 tsp salt or to taste
For Assembly
  • 4 large pita breads or flatbreads
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 large tomato thinly sliced
  • 0.5 cup sliced pickled cucumbers dill pickles or traditional Middle Eastern pickles
  • 0.25 red onion thinly sliced, optional
  • Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Small food processor or blender
  • Air Fryer
  • Tongs
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Cutting Board
  • Knife

Method
 

Prepare the Shawarma Chicken
  1. Slice the chicken breasts or thighs into 1/2-inch thick strips against the grain.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the chicken strips with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, coriander, allspice, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper.
  3. Mix well, ensuring all chicken pieces are evenly coated. For best flavor, marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator. If short on time, even 10 minutes will yield good flavor.
Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce
  1. While the chicken marinates, prepare the sauce. Peel the garlic cloves and roughly chop them.
  2. In a small food processor or blender, combine the mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), chopped garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt.
  3. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add water or milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Taste and adjust salt or lemon juice if needed. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
Cook the Shawarma Chicken
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Arrange the marinated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. You may need to cook in batches.
  3. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until cooked through and slightly charred. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Assemble the Sandwiches
  1. While the chicken cooks, warm the pita breads. You can do this in the microwave for 15-30 seconds, on a dry skillet over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes per side, or briefly in the air fryer after the chicken is done.
  2. Spread a generous amount of creamy garlic sauce inside each warm pita bread.
  3. Fill each pita with a portion of the cooked shawarma chicken, shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, pickled cucumbers, and red onion (if using).
  4. Optionally, garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For an even deeper flavor, marinate the chicken overnight. If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook the chicken in a large skillet over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of olive oil for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through. Feel free to customize your toppings with additional ingredients like pickled turnip, fries, or hot sauce for an extra kick.