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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup and non-stick cooking.
- Massage chicken breasts with olive oil, shawarma spice blend, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cumin, ensuring even coating across the entire surface.
- Arrange seasoned chicken on the prepared sheet pan, spreading pieces to allow uniform heat circulation and prevent steaming.
- 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.
- While chicken cooks, thinly slice red onion and dice tomato into small, uniform pieces for consistent sandwich texture.
- Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to retain moisture and redistribute internal juices.
- Slice chicken breasts into thin, diagonal strips for optimal sandwich layering.
- Lightly toast sandwich rolls to enhance their texture and warmth.
- Layer each roll with mixed salad greens, sliced chicken, havarti cheese, red onion, and diced tomato.
- Drizzle greek yogurt and sprinkle fresh parsley over the assembled sandwiches for a creamy, herbaceous finish.
- 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