Chicken Shawarma with Yoghurt Marinade and Tahini Sauce

Fragrant, thinly sliced shawarma-style chicken brings the familiar flavours of Middle Eastern street food into an oven-roasted format suited to everyday cooking. Traditionally associated with spiced meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, the dish is recognisable for its savoury warmth, browned edges and generous serving style. Here, chicken thighs sit in a Greek yoghurt, lemon, garlic and spice marinade, which helps keep the meat tender while adding tang and depth. A spoonable tahini sauce gives a nutty, creamy finish, while red onion adds sharpness. Serve it with flatbreads, rice, salad or pickles for an easy dinner that can be kept simple or made into a fuller spread.
Cuisine style Middle Eastern-inspired home cooking
Cooking style Make-ahead friendly • Meal prep friendly • Minimal cleanup
Time commitment Make-ahead friendly

Why this recipe works

  • Layered spice: Cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, garlic and lemon give the chicken savoury depth with a gentle smoky edge.
  • Tender chicken: Yoghurt and lemon help season and soften the chicken thighs during marinating, keeping the roasted meat juicy.
  • Flexible serving: Thinly sliced chicken works well with flatbreads, rice, salad bowls or mezze-style sides.

Get the most out of this recipe

Timing notes

  • Marinate for flavour: The chicken needs at least an hour in the marinade, but an overnight rest gives the spices and lemon more time to season the meat.
  • Rest before slicing: Letting the chicken rest briefly after roasting keeps the juices in the meat and makes it easier to slice thinly.

Texture tips

  • Encourage browning: Spread the thighs out in a single layer so they roast rather than steam; a short finish under the grill can add extra colour.
  • Use thighs for juiciness: Boneless chicken thighs stay more forgiving in a hot oven than leaner cuts, giving a richer shawarma-style texture.

Ingredient notes

  • Greek yoghurt marinade: Greek yoghurt gives the marinade body, helping it cling to the chicken while adding tang and tenderness.
  • Loosening tahini: Tahini thickens before it turns smooth when mixed with water, so whisk gradually until it becomes spoonable.

Serving ideas

  • Serve with flatbreads or rice: Pile the sliced chicken into warm flatbreads, or serve it over rice with salad for a simple dinner plate.
  • Add freshness: The sliced red onion cuts through the richness; cucumber, tomato or fresh herbs would also work well alongside.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients

Marinade and chicken

To serve

Instructions
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  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the greek yogurt, the zest and juice of the lemon, and the garlic. Whisk in the ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, fine sea salt, and extra virgin olive oil until smooth.
  2. Add the chicken thighs and turn to coat thoroughly. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 60 minutes, or up to overnight for deeper flavour.
  3. Heat the oven to 220°C (430°F). Arrange the chicken in a single layer on a baking tray, scraping over any marinade.
  4. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once, until deeply browned and cooked through. If you want extra colour, give it 2 to 3 minutes under a hot grill, watching closely.
  5. Meanwhile, thinly slice the red onion. In a small bowl, whisk the tahini with 2 to 3 tablespoons of water from the tap until it loosens into a spoonable sauce; add a squeeze of lemon juice from the used lemon if you like.
  6. Rest the chicken for 5 minutes, then slice thinly. Serve with the tahini sauce and the sliced red onion.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For the best shawarma-style texture, spread the chicken out well on the tray so it roasts rather than steams.
  • If serving vulnerable groups, use pasteurised greek yogurt and make sure the chicken is cooked until piping hot all the way through.

Substitutions

  • Replace greek yogurt with yogurt for a slightly looser marinade; reduce the lemon juice a little if it looks very runny.
  • Replace smoked paprika with ground paprika for a milder, less smoky flavour.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool the chicken quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Freeze sliced chicken for up to 2 months; defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat on a baking tray at 200°C (390°F) until piping hot. Store tahini sauce separately and whisk again with a splash of water to loosen before serving.

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Chicken Shawarma with Yoghurt Marinade and Tahini Sauce
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 1h 30min (20min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern
  • Allergens:
    Milk Sesame
Beginner friendly Freezer friendly Kid friendly

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