The Difference Between Chicken Souvlaki and Chicken Shawarma

Both are marinated chicken. Both come pre-seasoned. Both are in the Glacial Treasure launch lineup at Fortinos. But if you think they’re basically the same thing, you’re missing out on two genuinely different food traditions. Here’s what distinguishes them.

Origin

Souvlaki is Greek. Its history in Greece traces back thousands of years — small pieces of meat threaded onto skewers, grilled over open flame, served with bread and yogurt-based sauces. The name itself comes from the Greek word for skewer.

Shawarma is Middle Eastern, with roots in the Ottoman Empire’s cooking traditions. The classic shawarma was — and often still is — cooked on a vertical rotating spit, with slices carved off as they crisped. In grocery form, it’s typically pre-seasoned chicken portions that deliver the same flavour profile when roasted or grilled.

The Marinade

This is where the two products differ most. Souvlaki is Greek — olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Clean, bright, herbaceous. The flavour lets the quality of the chicken come through.

Shawarma is Middle Eastern — cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, cinnamon, cardamom, garlic, and lemon. Warm, complex, spiced. The flavour is bolder and more assertive, with a deeper colour when cooked.

How They’re Served

Souvlaki is served on the skewer or removed from it, typically with pita, tomato, red onion, and tzatziki. It’s a fresh, herbal plate that showcases the marinade.

Shawarma is typically sliced or shredded off the skewer, then loaded into a wrap or served over rice with garlic sauce, pickles, and vegetables. The presentation is heartier and the flavour more intense.

Which Should You Buy?

Honestly? Both. They’re not competitors. They’re different tools for different meals. Buy a package of each at your local Fortinos, and you have two different dinners for the week — Greek grilled souvlaki on Tuesday, Middle Eastern shawarma wraps on Thursday.

Available now at Fortinos across Ontario, and always available at our Cash & Carry at 300 Milliken Blvd, Toronto.

Try both at Fortinos or —  ddpoultry.ca/glacial-treasures/