Shawarma: Air Fryer Chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma is so unfussy and satisfying! Chicken thighs are quickly dry brined and seasoned, with a from-scratch shawarma spice blend, before being popped in the air fryer. Use this juicy savory chicken shawarma in a wrap, salad or rice bowl! Serves 4 to 6 depending.

Chicken Shawarma Anything Is a regular in our home.

Last summer I shared a grilled version. Years ago, an oven-baked recipe… and today? We’re making satisfying, healthy and straightforward chicken shawarma in the air fryer. From there the sky’s the limit. You can enjoy it as is with turmeric or saffron rice, build a rice bowl, or slice it and tuck it into wraps or top a salad. In this post, I also included a simple how-to on pulling together the go-to chicken shawarma wrap and salad.

Note: The day I made this (and shot the photos) I was making a double batch to use throughout the week, however the recipe is written (within the post and recipe card) is for 1 batch.

To Make Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma set out:

• boneless skinless chicken thighs – Lends more flavor than white meat. Thigh meat is tender and moist without being overly fatty or oily.
• kosher salt – Draws out flavor and will season the chicken.
• shawarma seasoning – Kitchen-made Shawarma Seasoning is a blend of 13 warm and robust ground spices and dried herbs.

Add boneless skinless chicken thighs to a large bowl and sprinkle kosher salt on both sides of each piece.

Set off to the side for 25 to 30 minutes. This method is call dry brining.

Dry brining is a short way to brine meat without going through the whole rigamarole of making a wet brine. In a nutshell? It’s salting your meat and let it rest before cooking. Which is great when you’re short on time because meat can soak in a wet brine for hours! Dry brining works by drawing out moisture, breaking down the salt and then the chicken reabsorbs the salty “brine”, not only seasoning the meat throughout but also tenderizing it as well. Dry brining does not dry your chicken out whatsoever. Instead, dry brining will yield juicy tender chicken every single time. Simply as long as you don’t overcook your chicken. 😉

After 30 minutes, measure and add 1 generous tablespoon of shawarma seasoning.

This Kitchen-made Shawarma Seasoning is a blend of 13 warm and robust ground spices and dried herbs. These spices include; allspice, garlic powder, white pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, cardamom, cumin, chili powder, paprika, smoked paprika, oregano and turmeric. You can use this spice blend in marinades or to season your go-to protein, vegetables, soups and stews. Yields simply under 1 cup.

Toss to coat the chicken thighs in the spice blend.

What Is Air Frying?

• An air fryer is a counter top appliance that requires less oil (anything from a few spritz to 1 tablespoon) yet produces crispy food that rivals most deep fried foods. By using circulating hot air, it moves at a high speed so the food tends to cook in a fraction of the time.
• There are a bunch of different makes and models of air fryers. Someone at the table did the research (as he’s known to do) and found this air fryer [affiliate] to be one of the go-to. But do your research and purchase one that fits your lifestyle.

How is Air Frying Healthier?

• Air frying is healthier because only a thin layer of oil coats the food and when the hot air comes in contact it will crisp. Saving you a ton of fat and calories (without sacrificing any flavor!) because food is not being submerged in a vat of hot oil.
• Keep in mind, not all air fryers are equal. Some preheat and some do not. Some are smaller than others therefore you may need to work in smaller batches to air fry.

I line my air fryer insert with parchment paper specifically made for air fryers. If using parchment paper, make sure it’s meant for the air fryer and never preheat your air fryer with only the parchment paper inside.

Work in batches cooking the chicken thighs for 6 minutes, turning and continue air-frying for 5 minutes more or until fully cooked.

Once all of the chicken is cooked, transfer to a cutting board and let rest before thinly slicing.

Start by warming a pita or lavash. In the center add the garlic sauce (aka toum) and spread it down the middle of your wrap before topping with spoonfuls of turmeric rice. Next arrange the sliced shawarma chicken, thinly sliced pickles (Claussen pickles are the GO-TO!), roma tomatoes and pickled red onions or use raw red onion.

Wrap and enjoy! I like to serve these with sweet potato fries or regular french fries.

Add your go-to salad greens to a bowl. Top with some turmeric rice, cherry tomatoes, a spoonful of garlic sauce, sliced pickles, pickled red onion, kalamata olives and chicken shawarma. I also like to add sweet potato fries to my salad if I have them. Drizzle with this simple lemon tahini dressing (omit the garlic in the dressing if using toum) and top with freshly ground black pepper.

Grab a fork and dig in!

Enjoy! And if you give this Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!