Homemade Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Havarti Sandwich Recipe

Crafting a mouthwatering sheet pan chicken shawarma havarti sandwich delivers pure culinary magic right to your kitchen.

Aromas of warm spices and melted cheese promise an unforgettable meal experience.

Layers of tender, seasoned chicken nestle between crispy bread slices.

Mediterranean-inspired flavors dance across your palate with each delectable bite.

Creamy havarti cheese adds a luxurious richness that complements the robust shawarma spices.

Minimal prep and quick cooking make this sandwich a weeknight hero.

You’ll fall in love with this simple yet spectacular dish that brings restaurant-quality flavor home.

What Makes Sheet Pan Shawarma Sandwiches So Good

• Simplify Meal Prep: Sheet pan cooking eliminates multiple pots and pans, reducing kitchen cleanup and saving precious time for busy home cooks.
• Customize Your Comfort: Versatile recipe allows easy ingredient swaps or additions like cucumber, avocado, or different cheese types to match personal taste preferences.
• Quick Flavor-Packed Meal: Shawarma spice blend transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality sandwich with bold, aromatic Middle Eastern-inspired flavors that will excite taste buds.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dinner Solution: Perfect for casual family meals, game day gatherings, or quick weeknight dinners that satisfy both adults and kids with its familiar sandwich format and exciting flavor profile.

Everything That Goes into This Shawarma Havarti Sandwich

• Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat that serves as the main protein source for the sandwich.

• Shawarma Spice Blend, Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Cumin: Aromatic seasonings that provide a rich, Middle Eastern-inspired flavor profile to the chicken.

• Sandwich Rolls: Soft bread that provides a foundation for the layered ingredients.
• Havarti Cheese: Creamy, mild cheese that adds a smooth texture and subtle flavor to the sandwich.

• Mixed Salad Greens, Red Onion, Tomato: Fresh vegetables that contribute crunch, sharpness, and juiciness to the sandwich.

• Greek Yogurt, Fresh Parsley: Creamy yogurt adds a tangy element, while parsley provides a bright, herbal finish to the dish.

• Olive Oil, Parchment Paper: Olive oil helps in seasoning and cooking the chicken, while parchment paper ensures easy cleanup and prevents sticking.

How to Make Chicken Shawarma Sandwiches on One Sheet

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Surface

Crank up your oven to a toasty 425°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper for hassle-free cleanup and non-stick magic.

Step 2: Season Chicken with Flavor Explosion

• Olive oil
• Shawarma spice blend
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Cumin

Massage the spices into the meat, ensuring every inch is packed with mouthwatering flavor.

Step 3: Arrange Chicken for Perfect Roasting

Spread seasoned chicken pieces on the sheet pan, giving each piece breathing room to achieve that gorgeous golden-brown exterior.

Step 4: Roast to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and roast for 20-25 minutes. Flip the chicken midway to ensure even cooking. Look for an internal temperature of 165°F and a stunning caramelized crust.

Step 5: Prep Sandwich Companions

While chicken roasts, thinly slice red onion and dice tomato into neat, bite-sized pieces.

Step 6: Rest and Slice Chicken

Remove chicken from oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This crucial step keeps the meat juicy and lets those delicious juices redistribute.

Step 7: Transform Chicken into Sandwich Slices

Carve chicken into thin, diagonal strips that’ll make your sandwich sing with flavor.

Step 8: Toast Sandwich Rolls

Give your rolls a quick toast to add a delightful crunch and warmth.

Step 9: Build Your Flavor Tower

• Mixed salad greens
• Sliced chicken
• Havarti cheese
• Red onion
• Diced tomato

Step 10: Add Final Flourish

Drizzle with creamy greek yogurt and sprinkle fresh parsley for a zesty, herbaceous touch.

Step 11: Serve and Devour

Serve immediately while the chicken is warm and the cheese is softly melting. Get ready for a flavor explosion!

Smart Tips for a Flavor-Packed Shawarma Sandwich

• Slice Chicken Like a Pro: Cut chicken diagonally into thin, even strips for perfect sandwich layers that ensure each bite has balanced flavors and textures.
• Spice Blend Massage Technique: Thoroughly rub shawarma spices into chicken, using gentle hand movements to help seasonings penetrate deeply and create maximum flavor absorption.
• Prevent Soggy Sandwich Disaster: Toast rolls lightly before assembling to maintain crispness and prevent bread from becoming wet from chicken juices and vegetables.
• Temperature Control Matters: Let chicken rest 5 minutes after roasting to lock in moisture, allowing juices to redistribute and keeping meat tender and succulent.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Place havarti cheese on warm chicken immediately after slicing to create a subtle, creamy melt that enhances overall sandwich experience.

Creative Ideas for Shawarma Sandwich Combos

• Mediterranean Chicken Roll: Replace havarti with feta cheese, add cucumber slices, and drizzle tzatziki sauce for a Greek-inspired sandwich experience.
• Spicy Southwest Chicken Sandwich: Swap shawarma spices with chili powder and cumin, use pepper jack cheese, add sliced jalapeños, and spread chipotle mayo for a fiery kick.
• Pesto Chicken Caprese Sandwich: Layer chicken with fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, sliced tomatoes, and homemade pesto sauce for an Italian-style sandwich variation.
• Low-Carb Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Skip the rolls and wrap seasoned chicken, cheese, and vegetables in large butter lettuce leaves for a lighter, carb-conscious option.

What to Enjoy with a Shawarma Havarti Sandwich

• Refreshing Beverage Complement: Crisp mint lemonade perfectly balances the warm, spicy shawarma chicken with its cool, tangy profile and helps cut through the richness of havarti cheese.
• Flavor-Boosting Wine Pairing: Choose a light-bodied white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, which offers herbal notes that harmonize with the shawarma spices and complement the sandwich's fresh ingredients.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Side Drink: Sparkling water with a splash of pomegranate juice adds a bright, fruity dimension that echoes the Middle Eastern flavor profile of the shawarma chicken.
• Textural Drink Match: Chilled wheat beer provides a smooth, slightly hoppy backdrop that enhances the sandwich's complex spice blend and creamy cheese without overwhelming the delicate chicken flavors.

How to Store Leftover Shawarma Sandwiches

• Store cooled chicken shawarma sandwiches in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Separate wet ingredients like tomatoes and yogurt to prevent bread from becoming soggy.
• Keep cooked chicken, sliced vegetables, and cheese in individual sealed containers in the refrigerator. This method allows quick sandwich assembly and maintains ingredient freshness for 3-4 days.
• Wrap cooked chicken breasts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating in oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.

Shawarma Sandwich FAQs for Easy Prep

• What's the secret to getting perfectly seasoned chicken?

Massaging the chicken with olive oil and spices ensures even flavor distribution and helps the spices adhere to the meat, creating a more intense and consistent taste profile.

• How do I know the chicken is cooked properly?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F, which guarantees the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat while remaining juicy.

• Can I use a different type of cheese?

While havarti provides a creamy, mild flavor, you can substitute with provolone or Swiss cheese for similar melting properties and complementary taste.

• What makes the shawarma spice blend special?

The blend typically includes warm spices like cumin, paprika, and garlic powder that create an authentic Middle Eastern flavor profile, bringing depth and complexity to the chicken.

Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Havarti Sandwich Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean flavors dance in this sheet pan chicken shawarma havarti sandwich, where spicy, tender chicken meets creamy melted cheese. Crispy bread edges and bold spices create a delicious handheld meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins and Meat:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 4 slices havarti cheese

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp shawarma spice blend
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp cumin

Bread and Accompaniments:

• 4 sandwich rolls
• 1 red onion
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 2 tbsp greek yogurt
• 1 tomato
• 1 cup mixed salad greens

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup and non-stick cooking.
2. Massage chicken breasts with olive oil, shawarma spice blend, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cumin, ensuring even coating across the entire surface.
3. Arrange seasoned chicken on the prepared sheet pan, spreading pieces to allow uniform heat circulation and prevent steaming.
4. Roast chicken in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and exterior develops a golden-brown crust.
5. While chicken cooks, thinly slice red onion and dice tomato into small, uniform pieces for consistent sandwich texture.
6. Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to retain moisture and redistribute internal juices.
7. Slice chicken breasts into thin, diagonal strips for optimal sandwich layering.
8. Lightly toast sandwich rolls to enhance their texture and warmth.
9. Layer each roll with mixed salad greens, sliced chicken, havarti cheese, red onion, and diced tomato.
10. Drizzle greek yogurt and sprinkle fresh parsley over the assembled sandwiches for a creamy, herbaceous finish.
11. Serve immediately while chicken remains warm and cheese slightly melts.

Notes

• Optimize chicken tenderness by using a meat mallet to pound breasts evenly before seasoning, ensuring uniform cooking and preventing dry edges.
• Elevate flavor profiles by experimenting with homemade shawarma spice blends, incorporating additional warm spices like smoked paprika or cardamom for depth.
• Customize sandwich for dietary needs by substituting chicken with plant-based alternatives like marinated tofu or grilled portobello mushrooms for vegetarian options.
• Reduce cooking time and maintain moisture by brining chicken breasts in saltwater solution for 30 minutes before seasoning, guaranteeing juicier meat texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg