This sheet pan shawarma chicken uses the popular middle eastern shawarma spice mix to add flavor and dimension to your weekday sheet pan recipe. This simple, easy and effortless recipe gets done in an hour. And, this chicken shawarma is hearty and healthy baked alongside roast potatoes, caramelized onions, lemon, and garlic.
My absolute favorite Middle-Eastern food has got to be shawarma, followed by falafel and then hummus. Do you remember my very popular recipe for Quick Homemade Shawarma Chicken or shawarma pockets?
Here, the three foods that make for a quick lunch on weekdays are hummus, followed by falafel and then shawarma. And, shawarma meat can be anything from beef, veal to lamb or turkey and chicken. Or, also a mix of some of them.
So what is shawarma? How to make shawarma homemade?
In short, shawarma chicken is stacked meat on a horizontal rotating spit surrounded by a grill. Furthermore, meat is surrounded by fat which melts while grilling; keeping the meat moist and juicy.
But, the main highlight of this shawarma meat is that it is heavily spiced with a special aromatic shawarma spice mix. And, that is what makes shawarma even more special.
So, while we won't stack our meats, and grill it on a rotating spit that spice mix, which is a star of this dish, enables us to make homemade shawarma. And, making a sheet pan shawarma version means making simple every day cooking more easy, full of flavor and healthier. Here we have replaced the saturated animal fat with good old olive oil.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Chicken - I prefer to use chicken thighs and legs with bone on for baking. Since the bones add so much more flavor to a dish. Also, it's a lot cheaper to buy bone on than boneless. Having said that, you can also use boneless chicken thighs. However, I would not recommend using breast. It cooks much faster so by the time the potatoes get done the chicken breast will be dry.
- Spices - These spices are mostly used in Middle-Eastern and Indian dishes. But, if you don't have these individual spices, you can also use ready-made shawarma spice mixes. In fact, you can find them in most supermarkets these days. For example, I have used one in my recipe for Quick homemade Shawarma Chicken.
- Potatoes - I highly recommend using baking potatoes. They hold their shape and get nice brown caramelized edges.
- Onions - Use red onions and it will be the best thing you will eat with this dish. And, if you don't like onions, just omit them.
- Lemon - It's optional, so feel free to omit it. But, if you have never tried roasted lemon before - OMG - Please do try!!
- Garlic - If you have not tried roasted garlic, you are in for a treat. And, no, they are not garlicky. The roasting transforms them into this sweet delicious jam-like paste. And, leave the skin on as the protect the garlic and prevent them from burning.
The shawarma spice blend
The shawarma spice mix differs slightly from region to region; mostly in the quantity and number of spices used. Therefore, I like to try store-bought spice mix, so I can try different variations.
Over the years, I have come to define my own flavor and combination that works best for me. So, I make my own shawarma seasoning recipe. And, this blend works best for me and is one that will tantalize your taste buds. Absolute heaven!
In the recipe below, I have used fresh ginger and garlic instead of powders because I always go with fresh ingredients when I can. You can also find my Shawarma Spice Blend aka Shawarma Seasoning Mix here.
Step by step instructions (Save/Pin)
Marinate chicken
- Preheat the oven at 200 C / 390 F.
- Clean and skin chicken pieces. And, remove any excess trimmings.
- Next, season with salt, pepper and lemon juice.
- Then, rub grated ginger and garlic into the chicken pieces.
- Prepare the spice mix blend - mix thoroughly.
- And, rub the spices all over the chicken.
- Then, let chicken marinate while you prepare the veggies.
- This chicken can be left to marinate overnight in the fridge as well.
Prepare veggies
- Wash, peel and cut potatoes into bitesize pieces.
- Cut onions and lemon into round slices - remove seeds from lemon slices.
- Separate garlic cloves from the bulb but leave the skin on.
- Grease the sheet pan with 2 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Then, place potatoes on the sheet pan.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper for seasoning.
- Next, lay chicken pieces over the potatoes.
- Place onion and garlic slices all over chicken pieces.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper over onion and lemon slices.
- Drizzle remaining olive oil all over the ingredients.
Bake
- Bake in a preheated oven for 45 to 60 minutes.
- Turn the chicken and potatoes every 20 mins to encourage even cooking.
- When done - remove from the hot sheet pan to a serving platter if desired.
7 Tips for perfect sheet pan recipes
- Always use the right size pan for cooking. Too large and the meat will stew rather than roast giving you mussy veggies. Too small will not give even cooking.
- Line the pan with parchment for easy clean-up. Having said that, baking directly on the pan can give you crisp edges, which some of us enjoy.
- Layer moist meats or veggies on top of dry ones so the top will keep the bottom from becoming dry.
- Use veggies with similar cooking times or give the veggies that need longer cooking a head start.
- Keep the veggies moist by spraying them with oil so they won't dry out.
- Use the right cooking time for the right cuts of meat. Chicken breast usually cooks quicker than chicken thigh or red meats.
- Not everything gets browned well on a sheet pan - so, if necessary, sear the meat on the stovetop so you don't overcook just for browning.
Frequently asked questions
This sheet pan chicken can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make sure to cover it well to prevent it from drying in the fridge. It can also be kept it the freezer for up to 3 months.
Yes, you can use chicken breast but the cooking time for chicken breast is much shorter than chicken thighs and legs. So make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Absolutely, I have used potatoes but try other veggies such as sweet potato, turnip, parsnip, cauliflower or even broccoli. And, make sure to adjust cooking time as per the veggies you use.
Traditionally, chicken shawarma is served in a Pita bread or wrapped in a Middle Eastern laffa. Often, you will find it served over fragrant Middle Eastern rice or vegetable pilafs. I also love to have cauliflower rice for a low carb option.
I always make extra so I can have leftover.
And, the leftovers make great sandwiches, stuffed in pita pockets or wrapped in laffa or tortilla for a quick burrito.
You can also chop some into a garden salad to make a quick chicken salad.
Use a large baking pan, casserole dish, oven rack lined with foil for easy clean-up. And, whatever pan you use, make sure the pan is large enough to keep all the ingredients in, but not too large that they stew rather than roast.
If you don't like shawarma spice try my other sheet pan chicken recipes like:
Sheet Pan Chicken caramelized onions and sweet potato
Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken
SAVE THIS RECIPE ON PINTEREST FOR LATER. TRIED MY RECIPE? SHARE IT WITH ME, PLEASE.
Share a picture of your work with me by uploading an image here below my image on this board. You can also find a collection of my tutorials and recipes here on Pinterest.
Sheet Pan Shawarma Chicken with Potatoes and Onions
Print Pin Share on Facebook Grow-Me Share by Email RateDescription
Ingredients
- 8 pieces (8 pieces) Chicken thighs and legs
- 3 Potatoes large
- 2 Onions large
- 1 Lemon optional
- 1 Garlic bulb optional
- 2 cloves Garlic minced or grated
- 1 tbsp Ginger grated
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 4 tbsp Olive oil extra virgin
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 4 tbsp Shawarma Spice Mix (my homemade recipe here)
Instructions
Marinate Chicken
- Preheat the oven at 200 C / 400 F
- Clean and skin chicken pieces. Remove any excess trimmings
- Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice
- Rub grated ginger and garlic into the chicken pieces
- Rub the shawarma spice all over the chicken
- Let chicken marinate while you prepare the veggiesÂ
- This chicken can be left to marinate overnight in the fridge as well.
Prepare Veggies
- Wash, peel and cut potatoes into bitesize pieces
- Cut onions and lemon into round slices - remove seeds from lemon slices.
- Separate garlic cloves from the bulb but leave the skin on.
Prepare sheetpan
- Grease the sheet pan with 2 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Place potatoes on the sheet pan
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper to season.
- Lay chicken pieces over potatoes
- Place onion and garlic slices all over chicken pieces.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper over onion and lemon slices.
- Drizzle remaining olive oil all over the ingredients.
Bake
- Bake in a preheated oven for 45 to 60 minutes
- Turning chicken and potatoes every 20 mins to encourage even cooking.
- When done - remove from the hot sheet pan to a serving platter if desired.
Equipment
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
Dannii
Yum! I just want to stuff this in to a giant flatbread.
Veena Azmanov
Oh yeah, Flatbread works a treat with this - we use laffa and make a wrap.
Tonje
This looks really nice and super easy! My family loves shawarma so I'm definitely making this!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Tonje. I think you will love this one
Natalie
Looks so crispy and delicious! Perfect for a comforting dinner!
Veena Azmanov
Yes, it's a nice mixture of some so and some crispy veggies - so everybody gets what they want.
Kushigalu
Shawarma flavors are my all time favorite. This looks amazingly delicious. YUM!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Khushigalu.
Suzy
This came out perfectly! Love how simple and easy it was to prepare!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Suzy. So happy you enjoyed this recipe. Thanks for coming back to write this feedback.
Juli Meyers
My favorite part of traveling in the middle east was all the street vendors selling shawarma and falafel. I love it!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Juli. Yes the hummus, falafel and shawarma are definitely a huge hit when it comes to street food in the middle east.
Valentina
I love the flavor combination in the Shawarma! Yum!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Valentina
Liz
I've been loving sheet pan dinners lately! They're so easy! This one sounds delicious.
Veena Azmanov
Me too. Nothing beats 10 mins hands on and then an amazing full meal for dinner.
Deanna
This looks so yummy!!! I love the flavors used in this recipe.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Deanna
Helene
I am all ears for this shawarma sheet pan dish! Your seasoning sounds perfect, is that how shawarma is always seasoned? I always wondered how they made it. I stopped having shawarma because they usually sell it in mapusa and I just don't go there very often.
Veena Azmanov
The seasoning is the best part of this recipe. Lots of flavor and really so simple and easy
Jen
I love shawarma too. Your version sounds amazing, and so easy! I don't think I've ever had roasted lemon before, but you've inspired me to try it. I'll bet it adds so much flavor!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Jen. You must try the roasted lemon it's so delicious.
Ginny
Love all those spices and mixes mixed in with the potatoes and onions. All on one sheet too. Yum!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Ginny. I definitely love the spcies.
Emily
I love sheet pan dinners, so easy and always delicious. This looks amazing!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Emily. Me too.!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes
What a comprehensive post! I love the way you turned your favorite fast food, into something you can make at home on a sheet pan. I am totally making that spice blend asap!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Katie - definitely worth trying with this spice blend