Heart-Healthy Homemade Chicken Shawarma

Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this Heart-Healthy Homemade Chicken Shawarma, a flavorful yet nutritious twist on the beloved street food classic. Marinated in a delicious blend of olive oil, vibrant spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric, and tangy low-fat yogurt, the tender baked chicken delivers authentic Middle Eastern flavors while keeping things light and heart-friendly. Served in soft, whole-grain pita bread and loaded with fresh veggies like cucumber, tomato, and red onion, this shawarma is perfect for a wholesome, well-balanced meal. Top it off with a refreshing yogurt sauce and a sprinkle of parsley for a dish that’s as satisfying as it is good for you. Ready in just 20 minutes after marination, this recipe is an ideal choice for anyone looking to enjoy a healthy, homemade take on a global favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:120 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:140 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 whole-grain pita bread
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 tomato, thinly sliced
• 0.5 red onion, thinly sliced
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt to create the marinade.

Step 2

2. Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips and add to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for maximum flavor.

Step 3

3. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 4

4. Arrange the marinated chicken strips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 5

5. Bake the chicken for 15-20 minutes, or until it is fully cooked through and slightly charred at the edges.

Step 6

6. While the chicken is cooking, prepare a simple yogurt sauce by mixing 1/2 cup of the low-fat yogurt with a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper (optional).

Step 7

7. Once the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes.

Step 8

8. To assemble the shawarma, warm the whole-grain pita bread slightly, then fill each with chicken, cucumber, tomato, red onion slices, and a dollop of the yogurt sauce.

Step 9

9. Sprinkle with fresh parsley for garnish before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1248.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1960.2

Total Fat 59.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 12.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 399.6mg	0%
Sodium 4123.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 182.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.2g	0%
Total Sugars 27.5g
Protein 183.8g	0%

Vitamin D 131.5IU	0%
Calcium 855.6mg	0%
Iron 21.1mg	0%
Potassium 3349.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 26.8%

Protein: 36.7%

Carbs: 36.5%