This chicken shawarma wrap is made easy, as it start with already cooked rotisserie chicken, combined with shawarma spices and lots of veggies, all wrapped up in a pita bread.
In the Summer, I love to make use of ready-to-go supermarket rotisserie chickens as a great meal starter. They are both handy and economical, too. I am always amazed by how much meat comes off of those little chickens! I adapted this recipe from a Bon Appetit recipe, that used left-over Thanksgiving turkey as a starting point. Instead of turkey, I'm using the rotisserie chicken. It works beautifully for a no-cook Summer meal with chicken.
For these Rotisserie Chicken Shawarma Pita Wraps, the chicken gets tossed with a great combination of spices and it flash heated in a skillet to infuse the flavours. And that's all the cooking this one needs - just about 1 minute in a skillet.
To go with the flavourful chicken is matchstick carrots, radishes and cucumber, red onion slices, some leafy greens and a lemon and garlic yogurt sauce. To keep this delicious wrap quick and easy, check out my tips below for how to easily matchstick the vegetables!
How to cut vegetables into matchsticks
There are two great ways to quickly and easily cut vegetables in to matchsticks:
- Use a mandonline to slice vegetables in to 1/8-1/4 inch slices, then stack them up and use a knife to cut in to 1/8-1/4 inch slices.
- Use a sharp knife to cut vegetables in to extreme diagonal slices or planks. Stack them up and use a knife to cup in to 1/8-1/4 inch slices.
Cook's Notes
While I started here with a pre-cooked, supermarket rotisserie chicken, you can start with any cooked chicken (or turkey). Simply shred and heat in the skillet with the spices.
You'll notice the pita wrap is wrapped in both parchment and foil. Using both is recommended. The parchment makes a great inner layer, next to the food, while the firmness of the foil works to keep the pita wrap tightly wrapped. To do this, cut parchment and foil squares about 10-12 inches square. Lay a square of foil on the counter, then top with a square of parchment. Lay the wrapped sandwich on top, so that a few inches of the sandwich hangs over the edge, then wrap the bottom of the sandwich tightly. Simply fold back as you eat :)
Rotisserie Chicken Shawarma Pita Wrap
Ingredients
Yogurt Sauce:
- 1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice, divided
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
Shawarma Spice Blend:
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
- Pinch cayenne pepper
To prepare:
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 rotisserie chicken, chicken removed and shredded (about 4 cups)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Vegetables:
- 1 small red onion, halved, very thinly sliced
- 1 large English seedless cucumber, cut into matchsticks
- 1 medium carrot, peeled, cut into matchsticks
- 4 radishes, trimmed, thinly sliced
- 1 Tbsp + 2 tsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup mixed tender herbs, torn mint leaves, parsley leaves etc
To serve:
- 1 cup tender greens, such as spring mix or baby greens
- 6 white pitas with pockets, warmed
- Hot sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the yogurt sauce by mixing together the yogurt, garlic, lemon zest and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Season with a bit of salt and pepper. Set aside or cover and refrigerate if making ahead.
- Prepare the spice mix by combining all the spices in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Heat butter and vegetable oil in a large (12-inch) non-stick skillet. As soon as butter is melted, add the spice mix and cook, stirring for about 30 seconds. Add the cooked, shredded chicken and toss to coat. Remove to a large bowl. Add 1 tsp lemon juice and toss to combine.
- Prepare vegetables and toss in a large bowl. Add vinegar and stir to combine. Toss with tender herbs. Set aside.
- Cut six 10-inch squares of aluminum foil and six 10-inch squares of parchment paper. Set aside.
- To serve: Cut 1" off the top of each pita and stuff the cut piece back in to the pita pocket, gently working it all the way down to the bottom. Spread some of the yogurt sauce inside each pita, being careful no to tear the sides. Add some tender greens in the centre. Top with some chicken and then some of the vegetable mixture, keeping it in the centre as much as possible. Take 1 piece of foil and lay a piece of the parchment paper on top. Lay pita on parchment, with about 1-inch of the top of the pita hanging off the wrap. Fold the edges of the pita in and holding it wrapped with one hand, use the other hand to wrap to secure the shape. Serve with hot sauce, if desired and remaining yogurt sauce. (Note: If making ahead, you can wrap the pita entirely to both secure and preserve. Refrigerate until eating.
Nutrition
Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.
Kristine Simmons says
Made this tonight with leftover roasted chicken. Amazing! It truly is about building flavours and this recipe was perfect. As I typically have Naan and not pita, I did substitute naan briefly fired over a gas burner to jazz it up a little. Otherwise a perfect weeknight meal that made me feel like a superstar! This site has reinsured me, so thank you for providing great visual inspiration as well as great content.
This meal has made into my regular weekly rotation as it allows me to repurpose my roasted chicken meal into a new experience the very next day with minimal effort. Truly a game changer. Thank you so very much.
Jennifer says
So glad to hear, Krisine! And yes, a great use for leftover roast chicken, for sure. Thanks so much :)
Marci says
I'm so excited to find this recipe! I LOVE Shawarmas but the closest place to get one is at least 80 km away! I can't wait to try this. One question.....they often serve these with picked turnip. Have you ever made that?
Jennifer says
Hi Marci, I'm in the same boat re lack of local Shawarmas :) But no, I haven't tried it with pickled turnip. Sounds like it would be great, though!
Mary says
This is on the menu for next week, even though it's Wintertime. I missed the original post and was so pleased to find this in your 'roundup' post for the week. I'm so glad to see that you put Parchment Paper between the food and the foil - I always do. Thanks for another great recipe - they have been coming so thick and fast, I can hardly keep up with all the lovely goodies. ?
Jennifer says
Hi Mary and thanks! It's definitely hearty enough for a Winter meal. Enjoy :)
Laura | Tutti Dolci says
Such a delicious wrap! I love this for a summery lunch!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Laura :)
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
Such a great recipe for these hot summer months!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Nicole :)
Alexandra Azary says
Love me a good chicken shawarma! This looks amazing!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Alexandra :)
Milena says
Love what you have done here:) the less cooking the better in summer, this pita shawarma wrap is perfect, saving your spice blend to use later. Pinned to my Pair with Saison board:)
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Milena and yes, that Shawarma spice blend is great for all kinds of things :)
Robyn Gleason says
Yum! I love a quick and easy healthy meal and this has it all. Colour, crunch and delicious flavours! This is the perfect summertime meal. Sharing :)
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Robyn :)
[email protected] says
As I'm just beginning to feel pangs of hunger for dinner, I'm wishing this was on the table waiting for me! Lovely meal!!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Annie!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
This reminds me of my time in London, schawarma is amazing and so are these gorgeous wraps, can't wait to give them a try!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Sue :)
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
This wrap sounds totally amazing Jennifer! And no lie, that has to be the most beautiful pic of a wrap that I've ever seen!!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Mary Ann :)
Chris Scheuer says
I buy a rotisserie chicken overtime I'm a Costco. How wonderful to have one more healthy delicious thing to do with it. This is a wonderful idea for a summer meal! I love that the chicken is warm and combined with so much summery freshness!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Chris and yes, rotisserie chicken is so handy to have around! This one is lovely lightly warm or made ahead and cooled, as well, depending on what you're feeling :)
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says
My stomach just growled and I'm drooling over these photos! I really want to take a big bite of this beautiful wrap. I love the crisp vegetables and the flavorful chicken. What a great way to transform rotisserie chicken into an amazing dinner. Perfect for summer too :)
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Tricia :) I took advantage of my kids being home for the holiday and had my son be a great hand model for me!