Are you drooling over that perfectly spiced chicken shawarma but wondering what sides will make your meal complete? I totally get it! There’s nothing worse than having an amazing main dish with nothing worthy to accompany it
When I first fell in love with chicken shawarma, I spent weeks experimenting with different side dishes to find the perfect combinations. And lemme tell you – the right sides can transform your shawarma from just a meal to an unforgettable feast!
In this article, I’m gonna share my absolute favorite sides that pair beautifully with chicken shawarma, whether you’re wrapping it in pita or serving it on a plate These recommendations come from years of cooking Middle Eastern cuisine and countless shawarma nights with friends and family.
What Makes Chicken Shawarma So Special?
Before diving into the sides, let’s quickly talk about what makes chicken shawarma so darn delicious. This Middle Eastern favorite features chicken that’s marinated in a blend of aromatic spices like:
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Cardamom
- Cayenne pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic
The chicken is traditionally slow-roasted on a vertical rotisserie, creating that signature crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender. When served, it’s typically wrapped in warm pita bread with various veggies and sauces.
The flavor profile is bold, slightly spicy, and has a wonderful blend of sweet and savory notes that make it an absolute crowd-pleaser.
Why Serving the Right Sides Matters
Chicken shawarma has such a distinct flavor profile that it needs side dishes that can:
- Complement without overwhelming the main flavor
- Add contrasting textures to the meal
- Provide a cooling element to balance the spices
- Round out the nutritional profile of your meal
With that in mind, let’s explore the best sides for your next shawarma feast!
Traditional Middle Eastern Sides for Chicken Shawarma
1. Hummus
No shawarma meal is complete without this creamy chickpea dip! Hummus provides a cool, creamy contrast to the warm spiced chicken. I like to make mine with:
- Chickpeas
- Tahini
- Fresh lemon juice
- Garlic
- Olive oil
The nutty flavor from the tahini pairs perfectly with the shawarma spices, and the smooth texture contrasts beautifully with the crispy chicken.
2. Tahini Sauce
This simple but flavorful sauce is made from sesame seed paste mixed with lemon juice, garlic, and a bit of water to thin it out. It’s slightly tangy and creamy – perfect for drizzling over your shawarma wrap or using as a dip.
What I love about tahini sauce is how versatile it is – you can adjust the thickness by adding more or less water, and spice it up with additional seasonings if you want.
3. Tabbouleh Salad
This bright, herb-forward salad provides a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of shawarma. Traditional tabbouleh features:
- Bulgur wheat
- Tons of fresh parsley
- Mint
- Tomatoes
- Onion
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
The herb-heavy nature of this salad makes it super refreshing against the warm spices in the shawarma.
4. Fattoush Salad
Another classic Middle Eastern salad that pairs wonderfully with shawarma. Fattoush includes:
- Toasted pita bread pieces
- Fresh vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers
- Herbs like parsley and mint
- A tangy dressing with sumac (a tart, deep red spice)
The crunchy toasted pita bread in fattoush adds another texture dimension that works brilliantly with shawarma.
5. Baba Ganoush
This smoky eggplant dip is another traditional side that complements shawarma beautifully. The roasted eggplant creates a deep, smoky flavor that stands up well to the shawarma spices without competing with them.
I like to top mine with a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds for a pop of color and sweetness!
Vegetable Sides That Complement Chicken Shawarma
6. Grilled Vegetables
Simple but effective! Grilled veggies like:
- Zucchini
- Eggplant
- Bell peppers
- Asparagus
These veggies take on a lovely char that echoes the grilled flavors in the shawarma. I brush mine with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and za’atar (a Middle Eastern herb blend) before grilling.
7. Israeli Salad
This simple, refreshing chopped salad features:
- Finely diced cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Red onion
- Fresh herbs
- Lemon juice and olive oil dressing
The bright, fresh flavors and crisp texture provide the perfect contrast to the rich, spiced shawarma.
8. Roasted Cauliflower
Roasted until golden and slightly crispy, cauliflower makes an excellent side for shawarma. The nutty flavor that develops during roasting pairs wonderfully with the shawarma spices. I season mine with:
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- A touch of cumin
- Salt and pepper
For an extra special touch, try drizzling your roasted cauliflower with some tahini sauce before serving!
9. Sautéed Kale with Garlic and Lemon
For a nutrient-packed side, try sautéed kale with garlic and a squeeze of lemon. The slight bitterness of the kale and the brightness of the lemon juice create a balanced counterpoint to the rich shawarma.
Starchy Sides for a More Filling Meal
10. Pita Bread
Obvious but essential! Warm, soft pita bread is the traditional vessel for shawarma. You can:
- Buy it from the store (try to find the freshest possible)
- Make it yourself for an extra special touch
- Warm it up slightly before serving
Pro tip: brush your pita with a little olive oil and warm it on a grill or in a hot pan for a few seconds on each side before serving.
11. Rice Pilaf
A seasoned rice pilaf makes a heartier side for shawarma when you’re serving it as a plated meal rather than a wrap. Try making it with:
- Basmati rice
- Toasted vermicelli noodles
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- A mix of warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves
The fragrant spices in the rice complement the shawarma without overwhelming it.
12. Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
Sweet potatoes roasted until they’re slightly crisp on the outside and tender inside make an amazing side for shawarma. The natural sweetness of the potatoes balances the savory spices in the chicken.
I season mine simply with:
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Paprika
- A touch of cinnamon
13. Mejadra (Lentil Rice)
This Middle Eastern lentil and rice dish is mentioned in the RecipeTin Eats article as a perfect pairing with chicken shawarma. It’s a hearty, flavorful combination of:
- Rice
- Lentils
- Caramelized onions
- Warm spices
The slightly sweet caramelized onions and earthy lentils create a wonderful base for serving your shawarma.
Fresh and Cooling Sides
14. Yogurt Sauce
A simple yogurt sauce provides cooling relief from the spices in shawarma. Mine includes:
- Greek yogurt
- Minced garlic
- Lemon juice
- Cucumber (optional)
- Fresh herbs like mint or dill
This sauce is perfect for dolloping into your shawarma wrap or serving alongside for dipping.
15. Pickled Vegetables
Tangy, crunchy pickled vegetables cut through the richness of shawarma beautifully. Try quick-pickled:
- Red onions
- Carrots
- Turnips
- Cucumbers
The acidity and crunch add another dimension to your meal.
How to Create the Perfect Shawarma Spread
When I’m hosting friends for a shawarma night, I like to create a DIY shawarma bar with:
- A platter of freshly cooked chicken shawarma
- Warm pita bread
- 2-3 dips (usually hummus, baba ganoush, and yogurt sauce)
- 1-2 fresh salads
- Pickled vegetables
- A variety of toppings like sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce
This allows everyone to customize their own shawarma exactly how they like it!
My Personal Favorite Combination
If I had to pick my absolute favorite sides to serve with chicken shawarma, I’d go with:
- Warm pita bread
- Creamy hummus
- Fattoush salad
- Tangy yogurt sauce
- Quick-pickled red onions
This combination hits all the right notes – carbs from the pita, freshness from the salad, creaminess from the hummus and yogurt sauce, and tang from the pickled onions.
Final Thoughts
Chicken shawarma is a versatile dish that pairs well with so many sides. Whether you’re looking for traditional Middle Eastern accompaniments or wanting to mix things up with something different, there’s no shortage of delicious options.
The key is to balance flavors and textures – you want sides that complement the rich, spiced chicken without overwhelming it. And don’t forget something fresh and cooling to balance the warm spices!
What’s your favorite side to serve with shawarma? I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below!
Now go forth and create your own amazing shawarma feast – your taste buds (and dinner guests) will thank you!
What is Chicken Shawarma, actually??
Shawarma is a popular dish originating from the Middle East. It’s a popular street food that is traditionally made in the form of spiced meats that are stacked on a vertical rotisserie with thin slices shaved off as it rotates. But don’t worry! We can cook our horizontally in a good old pan or on the BBQ!
Shawarma was traditionally made with lamb, mutton and chicken though these days you see it with beef too. It’s commonly served in the form of a wrap, though in some countries you see it served on plates with sides such as seasoned rice or fries, and salads. In this recipe, I’m giving you both options!
How to make Chicken Shawarma
For the best results, it’s best to marinate the chicken overnight. But to be honest, the volume and flavour of the marinade is intense enough that you can get away with a minimum of 3 hours of marinating. Been there, done that plenty of times, and nobody has complained!
- Mix marinade – For convenience, just mix the marinade directly in a ziplock bag. A bag works best because the chicken remains nicely coated in the marinade. If you prefer to use a container, either turn the chicken a few times or increase the marinade by 50%.
- Add chicken into the marinade. Seal the bag, removing excess air, then massage to coat from the outside. Leave to marinade for 12 to 24 hours in the fridge. If you’re pressed for time, even 3 hours will do!
- Yogurt sauce – Make the yogurt sauce simply by mixing the ingredients then set aside for at least 20 minutes to let the flavours meld. This will keep for 3 days in the fridge.
- Cook chicken either on the stove or on the BBQ. It will get a great crust on it from the spices, and you will adore the smell. It’s intoxicating!
- Rest chicken for at least 3 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the flesh, else they will just run out everywhere when you slice the meat.
- To serve, just pile everything on a platter and let everybody make their own wraps! The chicken, lettuce, tomato slices, onion, yogurt sauce and warmed flatbreads – homemade or store bought. If the chicken is on the larger side, I sometimes slice it. But if they are smaller, I tend to just leave them whole.
Chicken Shawarma Wrap with Garlic Sauce & Fries | Better Than Takeout!
FAQ
What do you eat with chicken shawarma?
Pair it with vermicelli rice, Lebanese pita bread, Toum (garlic sauce), Tahini Sauce, pickled turnips or shatta (chili paste). Chicken Shawarma Recipe!
How is shawarma traditionally served?
Shawarma is commonly served as a sandwich or wrap, in a flatbread such as pita, shrak (saj), laffa or lavash. In the Middle East, chicken shawarma is typically served with garlic sauce, fries, and pickles. The garlic sauce served with the sandwich depends on the meat.
What vegetables are served with shawarma?
I used eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, and red onion in my vegetable blend. Carrots, beets, turnips, or squash would be delicious too! It’s important to buy organic bell peppers since they consistently make the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list of produce with the most pesticides.
Is shawarma a full meal?
Shawarma also provides a balanced meal when paired with fresh vegetables and rice. If you’re interested in nutrition, the balance of protein, healthy fats, and carbs in shawarma makes it a great option for a filling meal. Eating balanced meals is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially as we age.