This is the best air fryer chicken shawarma you will make. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are marinated in homemade shawarma seasoning and other simple ingredients and then cooked to juicy perfection in an air fryer. This recipe will surely be a winner at your dinner table or next gathering! Serve it in a rice bowl, wraps, or salad. It is absolutely delicious!
Who needs a rotating spit when you have the air fryer? This recipe is perfect for you and me. I mean, those of us who love shawarma but don't have access to a traditional vertical rotisserie (wink).
The air fryer creates the same perfectly crispy exterior and juicy interior without all the hassle. You will love this one. Let me show you how to make it.
Related recipes: chicken shawarma wrap, Lebanese chicken thighs and Lebanese 7 spice mix.
Why you will love this Middle Eastern Recipe in your air fryer
- It's quick and easy to make, taking only less than 40 minutes in the air fryer.
- The homemade shawarma seasoning adds a burst of flavor to the chicken. However, you can always use store-bought. This is a judge-free zone.
- This recipe uses minimal oil in the cooking process.
- This recipe is versatile and can be served in various ways, such as wraps, rice bowls, or salads. I served mine on homemade flatbread, which I made with Greek yogurt and flour. I will share the recipe as soon as I perfect it.
- Economical. You can enjoy this eathy-flavored yet delicious chicken without breaking the bank.
What you will need
2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
1½ Tablespoon garlic paste: I prefer to use garlic paste to powder or chopped as the paste adheres more to the chicken and doesn't burn.
1 tablespoon shawarma seasoning:I used my homemade shawarma seasoning, which is made with cumin, smoked paprika, allspice, cardamom, coriander, cloves, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. You can easily make your own for this recipe or use store-bought.
2 Tablespoon olive oil: substitute with any other cooking flavorless oil.
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes: substitute with cayenne pepper.
Salt and pepper to taste
Yogurt tahini dressing with the salad options
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
** In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, and honey and whisk to combine. Season with salt and black pepper, then place in the fridge for the flavor to meld until needed.
Pita bread or homemade flatbread to serve
Red onion sliced
Cabbage: sliced. You can use any type of cabbage you have.
Cucumber and tomato sliced
How to make air fryer chicken shawarma
Add the boneless chicken thighs to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then season with salt, black pepper, shawarma seasoning, red pepper flakes, and garlic paste. Mix to combine and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours.
Preheat the air fryer to 390F/ 190C for 3 minutes
Carefully line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This step is important as you want the chicken to cook its juice and not sink to the bottom of the basket. You want all that flavor back in the chicken.
Arrange the chicken thighs in the basket in a single layer, it is okay if they are touching.
Air fry at 390F/ 190C for 15 minutes. Remove the air fryer basket from the air fryer and flip the chicken.
Continue to air fry for another 18-20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and the internal temperature registers 165F /74C
Remove the chicken shawarma from the air fryer and transfer it to a bowl to rest for at least 5 minutes for the juice to redistribute back into the meat.
Shred or slice the chicken thinly and use in a wrap or a rice bowl with the yogurt tahini sauce and salad. Serve and enjoy
PS: you can toss the sliced chicken in the juice at the bottom of the air fryer basket for added flavor. It would be a shame to let it go to waste.
Watch how to make it
How to store
Leftover chicken shawarma can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
You can also freeze the chicken in a freezer bag (vacuum-packed) or an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Tips
- Instead of yogurt tahini sauce, you can serve the chicken with hummus, tzatziki sauce, or garlic aioli.
- You can substitute the chicken with tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian option and cook accordingly.
More air fryer recipes you will love
- Air fryer garlic parmesan chicken
- Air fryer potatoes and sausage
- Air fryer pork steak
- Air fryer sea bass
- Air fryer chicken and broccoli stir fry
- Air fryer frozen burger
- Air fryer boneless chicken thighs
- Air fryer chicken breast
- Air fryer ground beef
- Air fryer cauliflower cheese
Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 Tablespoon garlic paste
- 1½ Tablespoon shawarma seasoning
- 2 Tablespoon olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Yogurt tahini sauce ingredients
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey optional
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Salad options
- Pita bread or homemade flatbread
- Red onion thinly sliced
- Cabbage thinly sliced
- Cucumber and tomatoes sliced
Instructions
- Add the boneless chicken thighs to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then season with salt, black pepper, shawarma seasoning, red pepper flakes, and garlic paste. Mix to combine and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390F/ 190C for 3 minutes.
- Carefully line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This step is important as you want the chicken to cook its juice and not sink to the bottom of the basket. You want all that flavor back in the chicken.
- Arrange the chicken thighs in the basket in a single layer, it is okay if they are touching.
- Air fry at 390F/ 190C for 15 minutes. Remove the air fryer basket from the air fryer and flip the chicken.
- Continue to air fry for another 18-20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked, crispy on the edges and the internal temperature registers 165F /74C.
- Remove the chicken shawarma from the air fryer and transfer it to a bowl to rest for at least 5 minutes for the juice to redistribute back into the meat.
- Shred or slice the chicken thinly and use in a wrap or a rice bowl. Serve and enjoyPS: you can toss the sliced chicken in the juice at the bottom of the air fryer basket for added flavor. It would be a shame to let it go to waste.
Notes
- Instead of yogurt tahini sauce, you can serve the chicken with hummus, tzatziki sauce, or garlic aioli.
- You can substitute the chicken with tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian option and cook accordingly.
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
And there you have it, a simple and delicious air fryer chicken recipe you can make at home in no time. As always, if you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Kindly rate the recipe 5 stars and leave me feedback in the comment section below. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save it to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox.
Shelly says
This was easy and delicious. Thank you. I love your air fryer recipes. They are easy to follow.
Ajoke says
Yay! thank you, Shelly. I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe.