Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Havarti Sandwich. (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.

Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Havarti Sandwich. Soft naan sandwiched with homemade garlicky green tahini dressing (or use your favorite Caesar dressing), Havarti and gouda cheese, roasted chicken shawarma, sun-dried tomatoes, and sprouts. This sandwich is baked until toasted and melty and then topped with even more dressing. It’s every bit as DELICIOUS as it sounds!

Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Havarti Sandwich. (1)

Lately, I’ve been feeling the need to switch things up. I haven’t been excited about any recipes I’ve been making, so I haven’t shared them. I desperately wanted to create a recipe I would be so excited to share.

There were many ideas that I went back and forth with before finally landing on this fun sandwich/melt situation. I shared the idea with Creighton (my older brother), who I oddly find very helpful in the recipe department these days. He immediately said, “Oh, make that”.

With both of us excited, I knew the sandwich had potential. And finally, I was excited to cook again! Just a reminder to switch things up every now and then when you’re lacking motivation. Something different can be so fun! And in today’s case, yummy!

Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Havarti Sandwich. (2)

Shawarma is a Middle Eastern popular street food made with roasted meat. Originally lamb was used, but it’s now often made with chicken, beef, or pork. The meat is seasoned well with an array of spices. It’s usually served inside a pita with lots of sauces or on a plate with hummus.

It seems to me that no one shawarma recipe is the same as another. Everyone uses a spice blend specific to them. While these sandwiches are not traditional, I’m hoping everyone will agree that they’re delicious!

Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Havarti Sandwich. (3)

Here are the details

Step 1: make the chicken

For the chicken, I use thin-cut pieces of chicken breasts or thighs tossed with Greek yogurt, olive oil, garlic, shallots, smoked paprika, dried oregano, turmeric, chili flakes, and salt.

Toss everything in a bowl. If time allows, let the chicken sit and marinate for 15 minutes while you prep the remaining ingredients.

When you’re ready, roast the chicken on a sheet pan until it’s crispy, about 20 minutes.

Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Havarti Sandwich. (4)

Step 2: the spicy garlicky green tahini

This is extra, meaning you can choose not to make the tahini and instead use a store-bought sauce. If you’re in a crunch for time/ingredients, it’s no big deal. But if you want the best-tasting sandwich, make this tahini dressing.

You’ll need tahini, lemon juice, jalapeños, garlic, herbs, honey, and salt. For the herbs, I like to use a mix of fresh parsley, basil, and dill. You could also use cilantro in place of the basil. Use your favorite mix.

Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Havarti Sandwich. (5)

When you have all the ingredients together, blend them until you have a creamy dressing. Add water as needed to thin the dressing. And don’t forget to add salt to taste; you’ll need a little of that, too!

If you choose to skip making the dressing. Use a good store-bought Caesar dressing or even just a garlic mayo (you could mix it with basil pesto, too).

Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Havarti Sandwich. (6)

Step 3: make the sandwich

Now that the chicken and dressing are ready to go, make the sandwich. For the bread, I use my homemade naan. It’s so perfect and delicious. If you don’t have naan, use a loaf of ciabatta, that will be great too!

Layer the naan with dressing, cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and pickles. Then add the chicken. Bake the sandwich for 15 minutes or so, until the cheese is melted.

Once the cheese is melted, pull the pan out of the oven. Add plenty of sprouts and then the dressing. Finish by folding the top half of the naan over the sprouts. Brush the top of the naan with olive oil and add a sprinkle of sesame seeds, yum!

Then back into the oven they go. I like to bake it for 5-10 minutes more to get the sandwich nice and toasty.

Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Havarti Sandwich. (7)

Step 4: enjoy the yummiest sandwich

Pull the sandwich out of the oven, then simply slice and serve. The sandwich is best when the cheese is warm and melty. Enjoy with homemade sweet potato fries or maybe a salad. We love the fries!

I love all the colors, the flavors, and the ingredients hidden within this layered chicken cheese sandwich!! It’s fun!

Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Havarti Sandwich. (8)

Looking for other dinner recipes? Here are a few ideas:

Skillet White Pesto Marry Me Chicken and Orzo

Crockpot Spicy Queso Beef Chili

Party Size Italian Melt

Havarti Avocado Sandwich with Spicy Mayo

Lemony Pesto Chicken Noodle Soup

Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Turkey Sandwich

Lastly, if you make this Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Havarti Sandwich, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Author: Tieghan Gerard

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories Per Serving: 714 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

SavePrintEmail

Ingredients

Chicken

Sandwiches

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • 1. To make the chicken. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Season with salt and toss well. Let sit for 15 minutes if time allows.

    2. Preheat the oven to 425° F. Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes, or until cooked through. Switch the oven to broil. Broil 1-2 minutes, until the chicken chars on the edges.

    3. To make the sandwich. Lay each piece of naan flat on a baking sheet. Spread the dressing/tahini to one side of the naan. Now add the sun-dried tomatoes, pickles, and sliced pepperoncini. Layer the cheese and chicken on top. Repeat with the remaining naan. Cover with foil. Bake for 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted.

    4. Remove from the oven. Arrange the sprouts and onions (if using) over the chicken. Drizzle with additional dressing/tahini. Fold the top half of the naan over the greens and gently push down. Rub with oil, then sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake another 5 minutes until toasted.

    5. Remove from the oven. Slice and enjoy while warm with lots of extra dressing. YUMMMMMY!

Notes

Spicy Garlic Green Tahini: in a blender combine 1/2 cup tahini, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon honey, 1-2 cloves grated garlic, 1 jalapeño (seeded, if desired) 1/2 cup mixed fresh herbs: parsley, dill, basil/cilantro and 1 teaspoon salt. Add 1/4 cup water. Blend until smooth, adding water and salt as needed.

View Recipe Comments

Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Havarti Sandwich. (2024)

FAQs

What is a chicken shawarma sandwich made of? ›

Toast pita bread on a flat pan or skillet over medium heat until golden, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Spread sauce on pita bread (or make pocket in the pita and spread sauce inside). Layer chicken, cabbage, onion, and pickles over sauce. Fold or wrap sandwiches with aluminum foil or parchment paper.

Can you cook Trader Joe's chicken shawarma in a pan? ›

To pan-fry Trader Joe's Shawarma Chicken Thighs, heat a skillet over medium-high heat with some olive oil. Place the chicken thighs in the skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side or until they are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Where did shawarma come from? ›

Originating from the Ottoman Empire (roughly modern-day Turkey) in the 18th or 19th century, shawarma, also spelled shawurma or shawerma, meaning “turning” in Arabic, is a Levantine meat preparation, where thin cuts of lamb, chicken, beef, or mixed meats are stacked in a cone-like shape on a vertical rotisserie (it has ...

Is shawarma spicy? ›

Spice control – The spiciness in the Shawarma marinade comes from the cayenne pepper. It's not a key element of the flavour so if you don't want it spicy, either reduce or eliminate it altogether.

What kind of bread is used for shawarma? ›

Middle Eastern chicken shawarma is a delicious pita sandwich recipe made with thinly sliced seasoned chicken, veggies, and sauce wrapped in a pita bread.

What's the difference between gyro and shawarma? ›

Gyro is savory with a hint of sweetness and garlic, while Shawarma has a smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness from the marinade. To add flavor and texture, both dishes can be topped with various sauces, pickles, and vegetables. The main difference between shawarma and gyro is the type of meat used.

What is shawarma called in the USA? ›

When people in America hear the term shawarma, they think of gyro, and while gyro is prepared the same way as shawarma, it is not created using the same kind of meats. Gyro is made with ground meat, lamb, beef, or goat.

Is chicken shawarma healthy? ›

Overall, shawarma can be enjoyed guilt-free as part of a balanced diet due to its array of nutritional highlights. Packed with lean protein, a variety of fresh vegetables, and a rich blend of antioxidants, this Middle Eastern gem that is celebrated in Nigeria not only satisfies taste buds but also nourishes the body.

Why does shawarma taste so good? ›

Flavorful Seasonings: Shawarma is typically made with a combination of aromatic spices, including cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and garlic, which create a rich and complex flavor profile. The seasonings are what give shawarma its distinct and delicious taste.

Is chicken shawarma a junk food? ›

This largely depends on how the shawarma is prepared and sodium control measures involved, your age, your lifestyle and your recommended calorie intake. Because of its sodium content, street food or restaurant shawarma is not really going to be good for anyone, especially not on a daily basis.

What goes with chicken shawarma? ›

It's a perfect weeknight meal and comes together in very little time. Pair it with vermicelli rice, Lebanese pita bread, Toum (garlic sauce), Tahini Sauce, pickled turnips or shatta (chili paste). Chicken Shawarma Recipe!

What does chicken shawarma taste like? ›

What does chicken shawarma taste like? There are many different versions of chicken shawarma, but the marinade spices often include garlic, cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, and paprika. The grilled or roasted meat has a complex flavor that's a delicious combination of tangy, warm, and smoky.

What is the difference between chicken and chicken shawarma? ›

Shawarma is made by stacking layers of seasoned meat, typically chicken, on a vertical rotisserie. As the meat slowly cooks, thin slices are shaved off, creating a succulent and aromatic delight. The grilled chicken and shawarma rivalry extends beyond just taste, delving into the nutritional realm.

What is classic shawarma made of? ›

Shawarma is a classic Levantine Arab dish of meat (lamb, chicken, turkey, beef, or mixed meats) seasoned and placed vertically on a spit and slow roasted. It's typically sliced thinly and served with tabbouleh, fattoush salad, bread, tomato, and cucumber and various sauces.

What is the difference between chicken roll and chicken shawarma? ›

Still confused? Well, a shawarma wrap is the Arabian cousin of our roll, only it comes in pita bread and has Mediterranean-style filling, both veg and non-veg.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 5703

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.