Easy Oven-Baked Chicken Shawarma

If you love the warm, aromatic flavors of shawarma but don’t have a vertical rotisserie in your kitchen (who does?), this recipe brings all the magic — right in your oven. The best part? We’re building it on toasted OA Gourmet Sandwich Slices for a high-protein, grain-free twist that holds all those juicy layers beautifully.

Ingredients

Shawarma Spice Blend:

• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp allspice
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Chicken:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp shawarma seasoning blend (from above)
• 2 tsp salt (1 tsp per lb of chicken)

For Serving:

• OA Gourmet Sandwich Slices, toasted
• Hummus
• Zhug (spicy herb sauce)
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Drizzle of good olive oil
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Optional: thinly sliced red onion or quick-pickled onions for extra brightness

Instructions

1. Make the spice blend:
   Mix cumin, coriander, allspice, paprika, turmeric, black pepper, cayenne, cardamom, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Store any leftovers in an airtight jar for next time.
2. Marinate the chicken:
   In a large bowl, toss chicken thighs with olive oil, shawarma spice blend, and salt until evenly coated. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor.
3. Cook the chicken:
   • Spit pan method: Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange chicken on the spit pan and bake for 40–45 minutes, until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
   • Sheet pan method: Preheat oven to 425°F. Spread chicken in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Bake 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until caramelized at the edges.
4. Slice:
   Let chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
5. Assemble:
   Toast the Sandwich Slices. Spread each slice with hummus, then top with chicken, a drizzle of zhug, cherry tomatoes, and olive oil. Sprinkle with parsley (and optional onions if using).
6. Serve:
   Enjoy warm, with extra zhug or hummus on the side for dipping.

Pro Tip: These shawarma-spiced chicken pieces are also amazing in salads, grain bowls, or even as a pizza topping on our Pizza Crusts.