Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Pitas (30-Minute Recipe)
air fryer chicken shawarma with a creamy garlic sauce
Prep Time: 10 Min | Cook Time: 16 Min
Growing up, my dad marinated pretty much every piece of chicken that came through our kitchen in yogurt. It's a trick he swears by that I’ve brought with me into my kitchen as well! The yogurt tenderizes the meat and keeps it juicy no matter how you cook it, which is why it's the foundation of this air fryer chicken shawarma.
I grew up on Middle Eastern food, and seeing so many people create their own versions of Chicken Shawarma on social media, I had to give it a try. And honestly, this feels both nostalgic and fresh.
This version comes together in the air fryer in under 20 minutes of cook time, which makes it one of the easiest weeknight dinners in my rotation. The marinade has a little tomato paste in it too, a very Persian touch that shows up in a lot of dishes I grew up eating, and it adds this deep color and richness you don't usually get from a fast marinade. My daughter Olive is obsessed with dunking the sliced chicken straight into the garlic sauce, and honestly, I don't blame her.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It comes together in under 30 minutes and the air fryer does most of the work, making clean-up pretty straightforward.
The yogurt-based marinade means the chicken comes out tender every. single. time.
It’s incredibly versatile! Pile it onto warm pita, some lavash bread, layer it over a salad, or serve over rice. A friend of mine is going to try it on top of potatoes!
The creamy garlic sauce is light but also zesty, with a rich, garlicky punch. (I typically make extra to use on other meals throughout the week!)
Chicken Shawarma Ingredients
1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp tomato paste
Zest of 1 lemon
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp sumac
1 tsp fine sea salt
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Creamy Garlic Sauce
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1 tbsp mayo
3-4 garlic cloves, grated (adjust to taste)
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Sea salt, to taste
Water, to thin
Extras for Serving
Warm pita
Chopped cucumber
Chopped tomatoes
Chopped Kalamata olives
Fresh parsley
My Recommended Products for this Recipe:
Ninja Knife Set: Perfect for precision and sharpness in every cut! Check it out here
Wonder Oven: Get cooking with the perfect oven size for any need—choose from the regular size here or the large size here
Garlic Chopper: also works great for other veggies! Grab it here
Cutting Board: A solid, reliable cutting board for all your prep work! Find it here
Food Grade Gloves: Keep your hands clean and safe when handling raw chicken or any other food! Grab them here
Meat Thermometer: Takes the guesswork out of knowing when your chicken is perfectly cooked! Find it here
Sumac: I grab it online here.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma
Make the marinade. In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, tomato paste, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, sumac, turmeric, cinnamon, and sea salt.
Marinate the chicken. Add the chicken thighs and toss until fully coated. For the deepest flavor, marinate a few hours or overnight. Short on time? 10 minutes in the fridge still makes a difference.
Air fry. Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer tray or basket. Air fry at 390°F for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through (165°F internal temperature). Thicker thighs may need an extra 2-5 minutes, every air fryer runs a little differently.
Make the sauce. While the chicken cooks, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayo, grated garlic, lemon juice, and salt. Add water a splash at a time until it reaches your desired consistency, then taste and adjust the salt and lemon.
Prep your toppings. Chop the cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and parsley, and warm your pita.
Rest and slice. Let the chicken rest 5 minutes before slicing, this keeps it juicy.
Assemble. Fill each pita with sliced chicken, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and parsley, then finish with a generous drizzle of the creamy garlic sauce.
Tips for Success
Chicken thighs often come in different sizes. Check the largest piece for doneness rather than timing the batch as a whole.
Don't overcrowd the air fryer. If it's full, add a few extra minutes of cook time.
165°F is your target internal temperature for fully cooked chicken.
Let the chicken rest 5 minutes before slicing so it stays juicy.
Add water to the garlic sauce one tablespoon at a time so you don't thin it out too fast.
Warm your pita for about 30 seconds before filling for the best texture.
Meal Prep Tips
Mix the marinade directly in the bowl you'll toss the chicken in to save a dish.
Prep the marinade the night before so dinner is nearly done when you walk in the door.
Make a double batch of the garlic sauce and use it throughout the week.
Double the chicken while you're at it for easy lunches the next day.
Use kitchen shears to slice the cooked chicken, it's faster than a knife and cutting board.
Substitutions
No chicken thighs? Chicken breasts work, but they cook faster, so start checking a few minutes early.
Dairy free? Use a thick, unsweetened dairy free yogurt in place of Greek yogurt in both the marinade and sauce.
No sumac? Skip it and add a little extra lemon juice.
No fresh lemon? Lime juice works too.
No pita? Serve everything over rice instead.
Not a mayo fan? Use all Greek yogurt in the sauce.
Want more veggies? Add shredded lettuce to the pita.
FAQ
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Yes. The chicken can marinate up to 24 hours in advance, and the garlic sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to a week, which makes this a great meal prep option.
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No. The spice blend (cumin, paprika, sumac, turmeric, cinnamon) is warm and aromatic rather than hot. If you like heat, add a pinch of cayenne or chili flakes to the marinade.
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Yes, swap a thick, unsweetened dairy free yogurt into both the chicken marinade and the garlic sauce.
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This chicken is just as good over a Greek salad or basmati rice, or served alongside roasted vegetables.
Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Pitas
Flavorful chicken shawarma with a creamy garlic sauce ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp sumac
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp mayo
- 3-4 garlic cloves (more or less depending on how much garlic you like)
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Sea salt
- Water to thin
- Warm pita
- Chopped cucumber
- Chopped tomatoes
- Chopped Kalamata olives
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, tomato paste, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, sumac, turmeric, cinnamon, and sea salt.
- Add the chicken thighs and toss until they're completely coated in the marinade.
- For a rich deep flavor, marinate this mixture for a few hours or overnight. Otherwise. Let it sit in the fridge for 10 minutes.
- Once the chicken has marinated, place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 390°F for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken is cooked through. Depending on the size of your chicken thighs and air fryer, you may need to add another 2-3 minutes as every air fryer is different.
- While the chicken cooks, make the garlic sauce. Whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayo, grated garlic, lemon juice, and sea salt. Add a splash of water at a time until it's your desired consistency. Taste and make any adjustments.
- Chop the cucumber, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and fresh parsley. Warm your pita bread.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
- Fill each pita with the sliced chicken, cucumber, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and parsley. Finish with a generous drizzle of creamy garlic sauce and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories
335Fat
21 gCarbs
34 gProtein
33 gestimated per serving, not including pita or toppings
Hey, I’m Jazz
I’m a nutritional therapist practitioner and spent 3 years as a personal chef to NBA athletes. Follow along for easy, attainable and healthy recipes in under 30 minutes!
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Juicy air fryer chicken shawarma pitas ready in 30 minutes, marinated in yogurt and spices with a creamy garlic sauce to finish.