Chicken Shawarma with Tomato and Cucumber Salad

Chicken Shawarma with Tomato and Cucumber Salad

Lee - Smoke & Sear
Servings: 4 Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Difficulty: Intermediate Family Friendly Family Friendly Quick Cook Quick Cook
Jump To Recipe Print Recipe
3 Add to Favorites
Smoky Chicken Shawarma with a Cool Tomato and Cucumber Salad

Let’s get grilling with this knockout Chicken Shawarma recipe, using the Ninja Woodfire outdoor grill. The chicken is marinated in sour cream, spices, and lemon, then grilled to juicy perfection with that woodfire flavour we all crave. Paired with a cool cucumber and tomato salad and a punchy tahini sauce, this dish will have you feeling like you’re at a Middle Eastern street market—minus the passport! Trust me, after a bite, you’ll wonder why you didn’t fire up your grill sooner.

Chicken Shawarma with Tomato and Cucumber Salad

Chicken
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
3 Add to Favorites
Prep Time 30 mins Cook Time 30 mins Rest Time 5 mins Total Time 1 hr 5 mins
Difficulty: Intermediate Cooking Temp: 200  C Servings: 4 Estimated Cost: £ 12 Calories: Approximately 450 per serving Best Season: Summer
Author: Lee - Smoke & Sear Cooking Method: Cuisine: Courses: , Recipe Keys: Family Friendly Family Friendly Quick Cook Quick Cook

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

For the Tomato and Cucumber Salad:

For the Tahini Sauce:

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken:

    In a large bowl, mix together sour cream, olive oil, tomato puree, lemon zest and juice, garlic, cumin, coriander seeds, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and Aleppo chili flakes. Add the chicken thighs and coat them thoroughly. Cover the bowl with clingfilm and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best for the flavours to really sink in.

  2. Prepare the Tomato and Cucumber Salad:

    In a medium bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, red wine vinegar, olive oil, fresh parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Set aside in the fridge until serving time.

  3. Make the Tahini Sauce:

    In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini paste, warm water, minced garlic, salt, cumin, parsley, lemon juice, and sweet paprika until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste. If tahini isn't your thing, have some garlic mayo on standby for the less adventurous!

  4. Grill the Chicken:

    Set up your Ninja Woodfire Grill by filling the pellet box with the all-purpose blend, then select the 'Air Fry' function. Set the temperature to 200°C (390°F) for 20 minutes, and don’t forget to hit that 'Woodfire Flavour Technology' button for that smoky kick. Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 80°C (175°F) and the outside is nicely crisp.

  5. Serve:

    Once the chicken is grilled, chop it up and serve with warmed flatbreads. Spread a generous layer of tahini sauce on the bread, pile on the chicken, and top with the tomato and cucumber salad. Drizzle with extra sauce if you’re feeling saucy!

Equipment

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy a product using these links, we get a commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep the BBQ magic alive, and we thank you in advance!

Note

If you want to switch it up, garlic mayo or a yogurt-based sauce can be great alternatives to tahini.

Chicken thighs give the best juiciness, but if you're watching the calories, swap them for breasts.

Keywords: chicken shawarma, Ninja Woodfire grill, tomato cucumber salad, tahini sauce, BBQ chicken wraps, grilled shawarma
Love this recipe? Spread the word!
Tag #SmokeSearRecipes if you made this recipe. Follow @smoke.sear on Instagram for more BBQ tips and recipes.

Pin this recipe to share the BBQ love with your friends and followers.

pinit
Lee Bishop - Smoke & Sear

smoke.sear

1,076 24,762

🔥 THE LAZY BUZZARDS BBQ 2026 🔥

Some weekends you enjoy . . .

Some weekends you remember.

This was definitely one of those.

Fifteen teams. Two days. Incredible food. New friendships. A bit of healthy competition . . .and an evening BBQ Olympics that had teams and judges laughing together long after the turn-ins were done.

A huge thank you to Alan & Jo for creating something that’s so much more than a BBQ competition. It’s a weekend built around great food, great people and a genuine BBQ community.

Massive respect to every team that competed too. Thanks for letting me wander around with a camera all weekend and capture what UK BBQ is really about.

This is the second BBQ competition I’ve attended now—back-to-back—and I’ve genuinely caught the bug. I’d love to shine a bigger spotlight on this side of the UK BBQ scene next year.

Could you see yourself competing one day? Let me know in the comments . . .👇🔥

#TheLazyBuzzardsBBQ #UKBBQ #BBQCompetition #LiveFireCooking #BBQCommunity

67 13
Open
🔥 THE LAZY BUZZARDS BBQ 2026 🔥 Some weekends you enjoy . . . Some weekends you remember. This was definitely one of those. Fifteen teams. Two days. Incredible food. New friendships. A bit of healthy competition . . .and an evening BBQ Olympics that had teams and judges laughing together long after the turn-ins were done. A huge thank you to Alan & Jo for creating something that’s so much more than a BBQ competition. It’s a weekend built around great food, great people and a genuine BBQ community. Massive respect to every team that competed too. Thanks for letting me wander around with a camera all weekend and capture what UK BBQ is really about. This is the second BBQ competition I’ve attended now—back-to-back—and I’ve genuinely caught the bug. I’d love to shine a bigger spotlight on this side of the UK BBQ scene next year. Could you see yourself competing one day? Let me know in the comments . . .👇🔥 #TheLazyBuzzardsBBQ #UKBBQ #BBQCompetition #LiveFireCooking #BBQCommunity

Six years ago I stepped into the UK BBQ scene.

I had no idea that buying a smoker during lockdown would completely change my life.

Since then I’ve shared 100+ free recipes, created over 1,000 pieces of content, surpassed ONE MILLION website views, welcomed 600,000+ active users to Smoke & Sear, and built social profiles, groups and communities with 70,000+ members and followers.

But the numbers aren’t what I’m most proud of.

It’s the friendships, the community, and seeing more and more people across the UK discovering outdoor cooking.

A massive thank you to every brand that’s believed in me over the last six years. Whether you’ve trusted me with your products, invited me to events, or somehow flown me to Nashville . . . (still can’t quite believe that one! ❤️)

Then there’s @fourge.bbq . . .

Starting a business with three great lads I met through the BBQ community is genuinely a dream come true.

It’s still early days, but seeing so many FOUNDERS backing us, our rubs selling so well, and people proudly wearing FOURGE merch honestly means more than I can put into words. Pellets, fuel and plenty more are just around the corner, and I can’t wait to cook for so many of you at @meatupfestival in just a few weeks.

Thank you to everyone who’s followed my journey over the last six years.

I’m just one bloke trying to do his small part to help push UK BBQ forward.

Here’s to the next chapter. 🔥🇬🇧

#UKBBQ #OutdoorCooking #PassTheFlame

106 11
Open
Six years ago I stepped into the UK BBQ scene. I had no idea that buying a smoker during lockdown would completely change my life. Since then I’ve shared 100+ free recipes, created over 1,000 pieces of content, surpassed ONE MILLION website views, welcomed 600,000+ active users to Smoke & Sear, and built social profiles, groups and communities with 70,000+ members and followers. But the numbers aren’t what I’m most proud of. It’s the friendships, the community, and seeing more and more people across the UK discovering outdoor cooking. A massive thank you to every brand that’s believed in me over the last six years. Whether you’ve trusted me with your products, invited me to events, or somehow flown me to Nashville . . . (still can’t quite believe that one! ❤️) Then there’s @fourge.bbq . . . Starting a business with three great lads I met through the BBQ community is genuinely a dream come true. It’s still early days, but seeing so many FOUNDERS backing us, our rubs selling so well, and people proudly wearing FOURGE merch honestly means more than I can put into words. Pellets, fuel and plenty more are just around the corner, and I can’t wait to cook for so many of you at @meatupfestival in just a few weeks. Thank you to everyone who’s followed my journey over the last six years. I’m just one bloke trying to do his small part to help push UK BBQ forward. Here’s to the next chapter. 🔥🇬🇧 #UKBBQ #OutdoorCooking #PassTheFlame

First time guest judging at Whole Hog 2026 with @comp_bbq_uk . . . and what a weekend🔥

Six rounds. Two days. Nine teams. A LOT of pork.

Honestly, it opened my eyes to a whole other side of UK BBQ. So much skill, creativity, graft and proper passion for cooking over fire.

Massive respect to Comp BBQ UK for building something special, and huge respect to @weberuk and cranswickplc for everything they do to support this event and help the competition BBQ scene grow.

UK BBQ is gathering serious momentum… and this definitely won’t be the last BBQ comp I attend.

Who’s ever thought about getting a few mates together and entering a BBQ team? 👀🔥

#CompBBQUK #WholeHog2026 #UKBBQ #BBQCommunity #CompetitionBBQ

49 2
Open
First time guest judging at Whole Hog 2026 with @comp_bbq_uk . . . and what a weekend🔥 Six rounds. Two days. Nine teams. A LOT of pork. Honestly, it opened my eyes to a whole other side of UK BBQ. So much skill, creativity, graft and proper passion for cooking over fire. Massive respect to Comp BBQ UK for building something special, and huge respect to @weberuk and cranswickplc for everything they do to support this event and help the competition BBQ scene grow. UK BBQ is gathering serious momentum… and this definitely won’t be the last BBQ comp I attend. Who’s ever thought about getting a few mates together and entering a BBQ team? 👀🔥 #CompBBQUK #WholeHog2026 #UKBBQ #BBQCommunity #CompetitionBBQ

This started as a daft little comp I set up in the UK BBQ WhatsApp Community to get the regional groups talking, cooking, meeting up and generally giving each other grief.

Most regions went suspiciously quiet.

But two actually stepped up.

SOUTH vs NORTH

The South came in swinging with a proper land, sea and fire feast — venison haunch wrapped in nori, reverse-seared smoked lamb, lobster, scallops, shell-on prawns, Sussex mackerel, monkfish, black sea bream, focaccia, fresh green sauce and a Sussex Smokie finished with a breadcrumb crust.

Then the North answered with an absolute monster board — rack of lamb, black pudding burnt ends with Newcastle Brown Ale sauce, sticky pork ribs, Cumberland sausage, smoked chuck scouse, fish and chips, roast beef, ribeye steaks, venison burgers, grilled potato skewers, sweet Yorkshire pudding with bone marrow crème pâtissière and smoked sticky toffee pudding with bourbon ice cream.

And honestly, this is exactly what it was meant to be about.

People getting together. Cooking outdoors. Making new mates. Sharing ideas. Having a laugh. Creating something that represents where they’re from.

But… there can only be one winner.

To vote, comment:

SOUTH

or

NORTH

I’ll somehow collate the votes from Instagram and Facebook on Monday 6th July, and we’ll find out who takes the regional glory for 2026.

More details on both cooks are on the website, and you can also join the UK BBQ WhatsApp Community there if you fancy getting involved. It really is a cracking bunch.

Now then…

Who gets the glory?

SOUTH or NORTH?

66 128
Open
This started as a daft little comp I set up in the UK BBQ WhatsApp Community to get the regional groups talking, cooking, meeting up and generally giving each other grief. Most regions went suspiciously quiet. But two actually stepped up. SOUTH vs NORTH The South came in swinging with a proper land, sea and fire feast — venison haunch wrapped in nori, reverse-seared smoked lamb, lobster, scallops, shell-on prawns, Sussex mackerel, monkfish, black sea bream, focaccia, fresh green sauce and a Sussex Smokie finished with a breadcrumb crust. Then the North answered with an absolute monster board — rack of lamb, black pudding burnt ends with Newcastle Brown Ale sauce, sticky pork ribs, Cumberland sausage, smoked chuck scouse, fish and chips, roast beef, ribeye steaks, venison burgers, grilled potato skewers, sweet Yorkshire pudding with bone marrow crème pâtissière and smoked sticky toffee pudding with bourbon ice cream. And honestly, this is exactly what it was meant to be about. People getting together. Cooking outdoors. Making new mates. Sharing ideas. Having a laugh. Creating something that represents where they’re from. But… there can only be one winner. To vote, comment: SOUTH or NORTH I’ll somehow collate the votes from Instagram and Facebook on Monday 6th July, and we’ll find out who takes the regional glory for 2026. More details on both cooks are on the website, and you can also join the UK BBQ WhatsApp Community there if you fancy getting involved. It really is a cracking bunch. Now then… Who gets the glory? SOUTH or NORTH?

Second walk out with the Lads Project today and honestly… what a proper day.

Hot as anything, big Peak District views, Thor’s Cave, River Dove, miles in the legs, plenty of laughs and just a really good bunch of lads getting outside and doing something positive.

No pressure, no awkwardness, no forced deep chats — just fresh air, good people, proper conversation when it comes, and a reminder that getting out of your usual routine does a lot.

Any lads want to join the next monthly social walk? Drop me a DM and I’ll send you the link to the WhatsApp group where it’s all planned.

#LadsProject #PeakDistrict #MensMentalHealth #MensCommunity #HikingUK

61 0
Open
Second walk out with the Lads Project today and honestly… what a proper day. Hot as anything, big Peak District views, Thor’s Cave, River Dove, miles in the legs, plenty of laughs and just a really good bunch of lads getting outside and doing something positive. No pressure, no awkwardness, no forced deep chats — just fresh air, good people, proper conversation when it comes, and a reminder that getting out of your usual routine does a lot. Any lads want to join the next monthly social walk? Drop me a DM and I’ll send you the link to the WhatsApp group where it’s all planned. #LadsProject #PeakDistrict #MensMentalHealth #MensCommunity #HikingUK

DRAGON01 over Coningsby 🔥

It’s been a few weeks since I last watched Flt Lt Tom Nation put the Typhoon through its paces over RAF Coningsby — but the second I heard today’s slot announced on the NOTAM, there was absolutely no chance I was missing it.

And what a display.

I may have lost half of it to the sun, and the other half to Tom flying so low he disappeared behind the trees . . . but wow. 😂

The speed, power and agility of the Typhoon is ridiculous — but the way Tom handles it is something else entirely.

Huge respect to Tom and the whole Typhoon Display Team behind the scenes.

Absolutely epic.

#DRAGON01 #TyphoonDisplayTeam #RAFConingsby #EurofighterTyphoon #TyphoonFGR4 RoyalAirForce Aviation

477 9
Open
DRAGON01 over Coningsby 🔥 It’s been a few weeks since I last watched Flt Lt Tom Nation put the Typhoon through its paces over RAF Coningsby — but the second I heard today’s slot announced on the NOTAM, there was absolutely no chance I was missing it. And what a display. I may have lost half of it to the sun, and the other half to Tom flying so low he disappeared behind the trees . . . but wow. 😂 The speed, power and agility of the Typhoon is ridiculous — but the way Tom handles it is something else entirely. Huge respect to Tom and the whole Typhoon Display Team behind the scenes. Absolutely epic. #DRAGON01 #TyphoonDisplayTeam #RAFConingsby #EurofighterTyphoon #TyphoonFGR4 RoyalAirForce Aviation