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This Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma is hearty, wholesome and delicious! Enjoy tender, juicy chicken packed with Mediterranean flavors in a dish that’s rich in protein, low in calories and incredibly versatile. All you’ll need is a few simple ingredients and your trusty slow cooker to put it together. It’s gluten-free + low-calorie!

Crock pot chicken shawarma in a bowl with rice and sliced zucchini.
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The simple, effortless flavors of Mediterranean food are what I almost always turn to when I want to enjoy a healthy, delicious meal. In this dish, creamy, warm spices bounce off the tangy flavor of tahini. It’s really a wonderful way to make boring chicken fabulous.

Even better, it’s made easy in the crockpot for a no brainer meal. Perfect for meal prepping or feeding a crowd! One of my favorite healthy slow cooker recipes for weight loss.

Looking for more easy dishes with similar flavors? Try my healthy Greek chicken casserole and my low carb Greek chicken bowls, served with the zucchini noodles. Both are favorites at the top of the list for me.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma Recipe

  • Whole Food Ingredients: The dish focuses on the use of fresh and healthy ingredients. It is the perfect choice for anyone trying to make healthier meals.
  • Customizable: You can tweak and customize the spices and seasonings to your liking, and there’s lots of ways to serve the chicken too!
  • Easy Family Meal: Making this slow cooker shawarma is hands-off cooking. You’ll need just a few minutes to dump everything in your slow cooker, and that’s it! 

Ingredients

Ingredients to make chicken shawarma in the crock pot in bowls on the table before cooking.
  • Chicken thighs: Chicken thighs are the perfect choice for this recipe. They’re soft, tender and juicy, and add a lot of flavor too. I would recommend using skinless chicken thighs to keep it healthier and boneless for easier prep. You can also use chicken breasts as well but adjust the cooking time as needed.
  • Tahini: A paste made from sesame seeds for a rich, creamy and nutty flavor. You can buy tahini at the grocery store — even Walmart carries it. It’s usually in the peanut butter aisle. You can use the leftovers to make marinades and dips.
  • Greek yogurt: I used nonfat Greek yogurt here. You could use the regular version too, if that’s what you prefer. 
  • Chicken broth: To add an extra depth of flavor to the dish. 
  • Lemon juice: Nothing beats a nice drizzle of freshly squeezed lemon juice to add a nice bit of tanginess to the chicken. 
  • Garlic: For the little zip of flavor. You can use garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic.
  • Spices and seasonings: I used a simple mix of spices including cumin powder, garlic powder, paprika, cinnamon powder, coriander powder, some dried parsley and curry powder. And of course, some salt and pepper too! 
  • Olive oil: Perfect for this Mediterranean inspired recipe.  

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations & Dietary Modifications

  •  Spice it up: Add an extra sprinkle of paprika or some cayenne into the Crock Pot along with the other spices to lend this chicken shawarma a bit of heat. 
  • Top it up: Add an extra bit of flavor and texture to the shawarma by topping it with some fresh tomatoes, cucumber, cabbage, and pickled onions, or better yet, just make a small bowl of my coleslaw with Greek yogurt.
  • Paleo-friendly: To make the chicken shawarma paleo friendly, swap the Greek yogurt in the recipe for coconut yogurt. 

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma

This chicken shawarma slow cooker recipe barely needs any effort or prep time to make! 

Ingredients to make chicken shawarma in a crock pot.

Step 1: Add in everything. Place the chicken thighs in your slow cooker. Add the seasonings and spices, lemon juice, Greek yogurt, chicken broth and tahini and mix well.

Cooked chicken shawarma in a crockpot.

Step 2: Time to cook. Cook it for 3 hours on high or for 6 hours on low. 

Chicken shredded in a crock pot with two forks to the side.

Step 3: Shred It. Check if the chicken is cooked. Allow it to cool down just a little bit and shred it. Add the shredded chicken back into the pot. Then serve it hot with some brown rice, roasted veggies, and a nice drizzle of some sundried tomato red pepper hummus.

Storage Directions 

  • Storing: Store your leftover chicken shawarma in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 5 days. 
  • Reheating: You can reheat the chicken in a pan over medium heat, with a splash of water to adjust its consistency. Another great idea is to microwave it until it is nice and warm.  
  • Make Ahead: You can prep the chicken ahead of time too, if you want to use it for a meal later in the week. Simply marinate the chicken with all the ingredients in a freezer safe container and freeze it for up to 2 months. Then, allow it to defrost overnight in the refrigerator, slow cook it when you want to, and serve. 

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Crock Pot chicken shawarma with some brown rice or a healthier wrap like my gluten free tortillas recipe or a high fiber tortilla.

You’ll also want to have a nice hummus and some pickled or freshly sliced veggies to go with it. I personally love my no bean pumpkin hummus and edamame hummus with this creamy, juicy chicken. If you love a bit of heat, you might want to try making my easy spicy black bean hummus or cilantro jalapeno hummus recipes. 

And if you want to go the extra mile, serve it with a fresh salad like a simple healthy Greek pasta salad or Lebanese tabbouleh salad!

A bowl of chicken shawarma over rice with a side of zucchini rounds.

Expert Tips

  • Use forks: Use two forks to shred the chicken once it is done cooking. It’s the simplest, easiest way to shred chicken, in my opinion, and I do it all the time when making my Instant Pot shredded chicken.
  • Season as you go: If you’re sensitive to spice, start by adding just a bit of the seasonings and spices. Give it a quick taste when you shred the chicken, and add more if needed.

Recipe FAQs

How will I know the chicken is done cooking?

The best way to know if the chicken is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature. If the thermometer reads 165 degrees or more, the chicken is done.  

Is chicken shawarma gluten-free?

Yes, this chicken shawarma recipe is naturally gluten-free.

This Crockpot Chicken Shawarma is a hearty meal packed with Mediterranean flavors. A quick slow cooker recipe, just dump and go. High protein and feeds plenty. Gluten Free + Low Calorie

More Delicious Chicken Recipes

If you tried this chicken shawarma recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below.

Slow cooker chicken shawarma in a bowl with rice and zucchini.
5 from 17 votes
Servings: 5 servings

Crock Pot Chicken Shawarma

This easy slow cooker chicken shawarma is perfect for meal prepping over the weekend! It is hearty, wholesome, delicious and a great protein rich meal for the whole family.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 3 hours
Total: 3 hours 15 minutes
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Place the chicken thighs in a crockpot with extra virgin olive oil, lemon, salt, pepper, chicken broth, tahini, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, cumin, curry powder, garlic powder, paprika, cinnamon and coriander.
  • Cook on high 3 hours (or low 6 hours). Check to see if chicken is ready. It is ready when it easily falls apart when you break it up with a spatula or spoon.
  • Serve with brown rice, roasted zucchini slices and Greek yogurt as desired. Top with dried parsley.

Notes

  • Nutritional data does not include brown rice or zucchini.
  • For a Paleo option, serve with cauliflower rice and swap the Greek yogurt for coconut yogurt.
  • Serving size is approximately 1 large cup.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 320kcal, Carbohydrates: 3.1g, Protein: 37.3g, Fat: 17.1g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 181.6mg, Sodium: 202.5mg, Fiber: 0.6g, Sugar: 1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Megan

Megan is a nutritionist who coaches women 35+ lose weight sustainably. She is the author of the Low Calorie Cookbook, fitness instructor, host of the Dish On Ditching Diets Podcast and creator of Skinny Fitalicious where you get lighter, higher protein recipes. Follow Megan on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram for the latest updates.

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34 Comments

  1. Debbie says:

    Hi I am just wondering if you could use breast instead of thighs

    1. Megan says:

      I’m sure you could!

  2. Laura says:

    I’d love to try this, but my son is allergic to dairy. I can’t find a dairy free Greek yogurt anywhere, could I substitute anything else for the Greek yogurt? I’m thinking plain dairy free yogurt or possibly dairy free cream cheese or sour cream?

    1. Megan says:

      Any of those could work. I don’t find DF substitutes to be optimal though because of the chemicals they’re made from. You can make a cashew cream from soaking cashews and blending with a bit of DF milk to achieve a creamy consistency like I did in this recipe. If I were to do it DF, that would be the route I’d take. https://skinnyfitalicious.com/brussels-sprouts-with-cashew-cream-sauce/

      1. Saranetta Fiora says:

        Not all dairy free substitutes are full of crap chemicals! There are several reputable, clean brands available. I made your recipe using Kite Hill plain almond yogurt, purchased at my health food store, and the meal turned out great. My whole family, including my son who is anaphylactic to all dairy (as well as 5 other foods), loved it.

  3. Angie Bedford says:

    I’ve made this several times and the whole family loves it. I’m going to a family reunion and it will be pretty big. I’m wondered if this would work in a big pot, not a crockpot and cooked slowly on low heat. I don’t have enough crock pots to make this recipe 6 times!

    1. Megan says:

      Exciting! I’m happy you love it so much you want to share it with the rest of your family. I don’t have experience cooking in a large pot actually, but if I were going to do it that’s how! Let me know how it turns out!

  4. Amy Q says:

    A great recipe! I chopped the chicken up and served in pitas with veggies, a variety of middle eastern spreads, feta cheese and pickled turnips. Delicious and will definitely make again!

  5. Rose Alsou says:

    Thank you for sharing my husband from Baghdad love it.

    1. Megan says:

      That’s amazing! Thanks for letting me know.

  6. Missy says:

    I’ve been looking for a way to use up all this tahini in my cabinet (I stocked up while it was on sale). Thanks!

    1. Megan says:

      Hope you enjoy!

  7. Emily @ Pizza & Pull-ups says:

    I love hands off crockpot recipes, thanks for sharing.

    1. Megan says:

      Aww thanks lady. This one’s a goodie!

  8. Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says:

    Anything in the crock pot is a win!!!!!!

    1. Megan says:

      For sure!

  9. Susie @ Suzlyfe says:

    We LOVE schwarma, so the fact that I could make it at home and have it be this easy? Totally saving.

    1. Megan says:

      Oh you must make!

  10. Blair says:

    Sounds delicious! I’m always looking for new, easy Crock Pot recipes. So many great flavors in this one!

    1. Megan says:

      Add it to the list. Thanks Blair!