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What to Serve With Shawarma Chicken: 15 Best Side Dishes

Elevate your shawarma chicken with sides that bring balance and enhance its flavors. Pita bread is a soft and essential companion, creating perfect wraps. Pair it with tzatziki, a cool, creamy dip that refreshes the palate. Hummus, a tangy chickpea spread, complements the spices beautifully. Serve yellow rice, vibrant with turmeric, to add color and depth. A garden salad drizzled with lemon vinaigrette provides a crisp, healthy contrast. You might also enjoy fattoush, garlic bread, falafel, or grilled halloumi cheese. Explore these delightful combinations to transform your meal into a culinary experience like no other.

Pita Bread

middle eastern flatbread delight

Pita bread, a quintessential element of Middle Eastern cuisine, serves as an ideal companion to shawarma chicken, thanks to its soft texture and mild flavor.

This versatile flatbread complements the savory, spiced flavors of shawarma beautifully. Pita turns a shawarma meal into a satisfying, hands-on experience, perfect for creating delicious wraps or sandwiches, making it an essential side dish for any shawarma feast.

Tzatziki

greek yogurt cucumber sauce

To elevate the shawarma chicken experience, tzatziki, an invigorating Greek yogurt dip with cucumbers, offers a creamy and cool complement to the dish.

This tangy and revitalizing sauce cleanses the palate, balancing the savory flavors of the chicken.

The combination of garlic, cucumber, and yogurt adds brightness, making it perfect for dipping pita or drizzling over the shawarma, enhancing each bite.

Hummus

savory chickpea spread

Hummus, a creamy chickpea spread, stands as a quintessential component in Middle Eastern cuisine, offering a smooth texture and rich taste that pairs exceptionally well with the bold spices of shawarma chicken.

Its tangy flavor and garlicky undertones make it a popular accompaniment, perfect for dipping pita bread or fries.

Hummus enhances the shawarma experience, adding a satisfying and flavorful element to the meal.

Yellow Rice

colorful dish with saffron

Yellow rice, seasoned with either turmeric or saffron, brings both vibrant color and aromatic flavor to the table, making it an ideal side dish for shawarma chicken.

This flavorful side perfectly complements the spiced chicken shawarma, creating a harmonious blend of tastes.

The vibrant yellow hue and aromatic flavor make every bite of the chicken shawarma meal more satisfying and visually appealing.

Garden Salad

homegrown tomatoes crisp lettuce

A garden salad, with its crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and tangy onions, serves as an invigorating and lively accompaniment to chicken shawarma.

This revitalizing salad, drizzled with a zesty lemon vinaigrette, provides a healthy contrast to the rich flavors of the shawarma.

The fresh vegetables not only add vibrant color but also cleanse the palate, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Guacamole

delicious and creamy dip

Following the invigorating garden salad, guacamole introduces a rejuvenating and tangy element that uniquely complements the savory, spiced chicken shawarma.

Made from fresh avocado, garlic, lime, and cilantro, this unorthodox yet delicious side dish provides a revitalizing contrast to the shawarma's robust flavors.

The creamy texture and zesty lime enhance the overall dining experience, making each bite more satisfying and flavorful.

Pickled Vegetables

fermented vegetables in jars

Incorporating pickled vegetables into your meal introduces a tangy and slightly sweet element that beautifully balances the rich flavors of shawarma chicken. Common in Middle Eastern cuisine, these pickled delights bring bright flavors, crunchy texture, and a revitalizing contrast.

Varieties like pickled cucumbers, turnips, and beets cleanse the palate and enhance each bite, making them an ideal tangy accompaniment.

Onion Rings

crispy golden fried perfection

Shifting from the tangy allure of pickled vegetables, the crispy, golden texture of onion rings offers a delightful contrast to the savory flavors of shawarma chicken. Made from sweet, tender onions in a crunchy batter, these rings add a fun and casual element to the meal.

Perfect for dipping in garlic sauce or ketchup, they provide a sweet and savory side dish option.

Baba Ganoush

middle eastern eggplant dip

Baba Ganoush, a creamy and smoky eggplant dip, serves as a perfect companion to shawarma chicken, enhancing the meal with its rich and flavorful profile.

This Middle Eastern dish is made with roasted eggplant and tahini, resulting in a smooth texture and earthy flavors.

Ideal for spreading on pita bread or dipping vegetables, it adds depth and complexity to your shawarma experience.

Couscous Salad

healthy and refreshing dish

Couscous salad, with its light and invigorating ingredients, serves as an ideal side dish to complement the robust flavors of shawarma chicken. Featuring fresh veggies and a zesty dressing, this dish offers a vibrant presentation and a subtle flavor profile.

The addition of herbs and colorful vegetables brings a North African flair, making it a well-rounded, delightful choice for any meal.

Roasted Red Peppers

tasty roasted red peppers

Roasted red peppers bring a sweet and slightly smoky flavor profile that beautifully complements the boldness of shawarma chicken. Their vibrant color and chewy texture add visual appeal and a delightful contrast.

This side dish is easy to prepare, making it a convenient yet flavorful accompaniment. The sweet and smoky flavor of roasted red peppers enhances the overall dining experience.

Fattoush

lebanese salad with bread

Fattoush, a Lebanese bread salad featuring fresh vegetables and crispy pita chips, introduces an invigorating and lively element to a shawarma chicken meal.

The tangy vinaigrette made of lemon juice, olive oil, and sumac enhances the salad's zest, while the pita chips provide a delightful crunch.

Popular in Middle Eastern cuisine, fattoush balances the rich flavors of shawarma with its revitalizing, vibrant taste.

Garlic Bread

delicious garlic bread recipe

Incorporating garlic bread into a shawarma chicken meal adds a warm, aromatic, and buttery flavor that complements the rich and savory taste of the dish.

This comforting addition, with its crispy exterior and soft interior, pairs wonderfully with the savory meat.

Simple yet satisfying, garlic bread enhances the overall dining experience and is perfect for soaking up any excess sauce or enjoying on its own.

Falafel

middle eastern chickpea dish

While garlic bread offers a buttery and aromatic side, falafel brings a hearty and flavorful twist to a shawarma chicken meal. This popular Middle Eastern side dish, made from deep-fried chickpea or fava bean balls, delivers a delicious contrast of textures and spices.

As a beloved vegetarian option, falafel's crispy exterior and tender interior pair perfectly with the savory flavors of shawarma chicken.

Can the Same Side Dishes Be Served with Shawarma Chicken and Chicken Picata?

Yes, the best side dishes for chicken piccata can also be served with shawarma chicken. The tangy flavor of the chicken piccata pairs well with sides like roasted vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad. These versatile sides can complement both shawarma and chicken piccata dishes. Additionally, Mediterranean-inspired sides such as hummus, tabbouleh, or pita bread can perfectly blend with the rich flavors of shawarma chicken, creating a well-rounded meal. If you’re still wondering what to serve with chicken, consider fragrant rice pilaf or a light couscous salad, as these grains soak up the savory juices beautifully. Regardless of the preparation, these side dishes elevate chicken-based meals to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Grilled Halloumi Cheese

deliciously golden grilled cheese

Grilled Halloumi Cheese serves as a salty and slightly creamy complement to the savory flavors of shawarma chicken. This Mediterranean cheese maintains its shape when grilled, offering a pleasant chewy texture.

Its unique taste adds a flavorful dimension to the meal, making it a delightful accompaniment to the rich flavors of shawarma. Perfect for adding both taste and texture to your plate.