When serving chicken shawarma, carefully selected side dishes can elevate it to a delightful feast. Consider offering homemade pita bread, which is soft and fluffy, perfect for scooping up every bite. Zaatar bread, topped with thyme and sumac, adds a tangy twist. Rich, nutty tahini sauce or cool mint yogurt sauce provides creamy balance. Creamy hummus introduces quintessential Middle Eastern flavors. To complement further, sumac onions, vermicelli rice, and mujaddara add layers of texture and taste. Finish the spread with crispy and spicy batata harra. Excited to explore more delicious pairings for your shawarma? There's much to discover! For a refreshing contrast, consider a simple cucumber and tomato salad with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice, adding a fresh and zesty crunch. Pickled vegetables are also among the best side dishes for chicken, as their tanginess cuts through the richness of the shawarma. Don’t forget a handful of warm, golden falafel for an irresistible addition to your Middle Eastern-inspired feast!
Homemade Pita Bread
Homemade pita bread, with its soft and fluffy texture, serves as an ideal accompaniment to chicken shawarma. This mild-flavored, chewy flatbread is a versatile option among side dishes to serve, enhancing the meal experience.
Easy to make at home, freshly baked pita pairs wonderfully with the bold flavors of shawarma, adding an authentic touch to your dining table.
Zaatar Bread
Zaatar bread is a quintessential Middle Eastern flatbread. It is topped with a robust blend of thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, and salt, offering a tangy flavor that complements the savory notes of chicken shawarma.
This crispy bread not only adds an extra layer of texture but also serves as a delightful wrap for the chicken, creating a satisfying and flavorful meal experience.
Tahini Sauce
A quintessential accompaniment to chicken shawarma, tahini sauce offers a rich, creamy texture and a nutty flavor that enhances the overall dish. Made from sesame seeds, it's essential in dishes like baba ganoush.
This sauce, often seasoned with lemon juice, garlic, and salt, balances the spiciness of chicken shawarma wraps, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that's simply irresistible.
Mint Yogurt Sauce
Mint yogurt sauce, a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine, offers a revitalizing and tangy complement to the bold spices of chicken shawarma. Made with yogurt, fresh mint, garlic, and lemon juice, this traditional Middle Eastern condiment adds a cool, creamy element to the meal.
Easy to prepare at home, it balances the heat and richness of the shawarma, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Hummus
Hummus, a quintessential component of Middle Eastern cuisine, provides a creamy and flavorful complement to the robust spices of chicken shawarma. This zesty chickpea spread is a versatile side dish that enhances the meal with its smooth texture and rich taste.
Whether homemade or store-bought, hummus adds depth and satisfaction, making it a favorite choice for those enjoying chicken shawarma.
Baba Ganoush
In addition to hummus, Baba Ganoush stands out as a smoky, creamy eggplant dip that complements the bold spices of chicken shawarma with its rich and earthy flavors.
This Middle Eastern recipe, made with roasted eggplant, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice, provides a smooth texture that enhances any shawarma meal.
Baba Ganoush is a delicious alternative, offering a unique and satisfying taste experience.
Toum
Toum frequently serves as a zesty and creamy garlic sauce that elevates Middle Eastern dishes with its robust flavor. This sauce, rich in garlic, lemon juice, and oil, sometimes includes egg whites for added fluffiness.
Its smooth texture pairs perfectly with chicken shawarma, enhancing the overall dining experience. Toum's bold and delicious kick makes it a beloved condiment in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Labneh
Complementing the bold flavors of Toum, Labneh offers a creamy and tangy contrast that enhances the overall enjoyment of chicken shawarma.
This Middle Eastern strained yogurt cheese, with its thick consistency and pronounced tanginess, pairs perfectly with the savory chicken.
Often drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with herbs, Labneh can be used as a dip or spread, adding a revitalizing element to the meal.
Fattoush
Fattoush, a lively Middle Eastern salad, brings an invigorating and tangy flavor profile that beautifully balances the savory richness of chicken shawarma. This revitalizing side features crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and cool cucumbers, all topped with crunchy pita chips.
The tangy dressing, typically made with lemon juice, olive oil, and sumac, enhances the fresh ingredients, making Fattoush a perfect complement to chicken shawarma.
Tabbouleh
Tabbouleh, a quintessential Middle Eastern salad, offers an invigorating and zesty companion to the bold flavors of chicken shawarma. Made with bulgur, parsley, and tomatoes, this salad provides a crunchy texture from fresh veggies and a tangy dressing that brightens every bite.
Its vibrant colors and flavors perfectly complement both rice and flavorful shawarma, making it an ideal side dish choice.
Couscous Salad
Couscous salad is a versatile and vibrant dish that pairs wonderfully with the rich and savory flavors of chicken shawarma. This Middle Eastern staple features fluffy couscous mixed with fresh herbs and colorful vegetables. A tangy dressing made with lemon juice and olive oil adds brightness.
Easy to prepare, this salad offers a nutritious and flavorful accompaniment, enhancing the overall meal experience.
Sumac Onions
Why not elevate your chicken shawarma with the tangy, bright flavors of sumac onions?
Made from thinly sliced red onions, sumac spice, olive oil, and lemon juice, this Middle Eastern condiment offers a zesty contrast to the rich, savory taste of chicken shawarma.
Easy to prepare and customizable with extra herbs or spices, sumac onions add a burst of flavor to every bite.
Vermicelli Rice
Vermicelli rice is a traditional Middle Eastern side dish that combines long-grain rice with toasted vermicelli noodles for a unique texture and rich, nutty flavor. Often seasoned with spices like cumin, cinnamon, and cardamom, this rice pilaf pairs perfectly with chicken shawarma.
The toasted noodles add an aromatic element, making it a versatile side dish that complements a variety of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean meals.
Mujaddara
Following the aromatic and textured delight of vermicelli rice, another excellent side dish to accompany chicken shawarma is Mujaddara, a traditional Middle Eastern blend of lentils, rice, and caramelized onions.
This hearty side is packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. The caramelized onions add a sweet and savory flavor, while spices like cumin and coriander enhance its aromatic profile, making it a satisfying choice.
Batata Harra
Batata Harra is a beloved Middle Eastern side dish that features spicy Lebanese potatoes. These roast potatoes are cubed and sautéed with garlic, cilantro, red chili, and aromatic spices, creating a zesty kick.
Garnished with fresh herbs like parsley, Batata Harra enhances the overall dining experience with its bold and satisfying flavors.
This dish provides a flavorful and crunchy complement to savory chicken shawarma.