Description
This Chicken Shawarma with Creamy Garlic Sauce is a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring marinated grilled chicken thighs wrapped in soft pita bread and topped with a zesty garlic sauce, fresh vegetables, and pickles. Perfect for a hearty, comforting, and satisfying meal that brings the authentic taste of shawarma to your home kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Shawarma
- 1.5 pounds of boneless chicken thighs
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons of ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon of paprika
- 1 tablespoon of turmeric
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon
For the Creamy Garlic Sauce
- 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons of tahini
- Salt to taste
For Serving
- Pita bread or flatbreads
- Fresh vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce)
- Pickles
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, turmeric, ground cinnamon, cayenne pepper, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Add the boneless chicken thighs and toss well to coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply infuse the chicken.
- Prepare the Creamy Garlic Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix plain Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, tahini, and salt. Stir thoroughly until the sauce is smooth and homogeneous. Refrigerate until ready to serve, which enhances the flavors and keeps it fresh.
- Cook the Chicken: Preheat a grill or stovetop skillet over medium-high heat. Place the marinated chicken thighs on the hot surface and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side. Ensure each side gets a nice char and that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) to confirm doneness and food safety.
- Rest and Slice the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the grill or pan and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain juices. After resting, slice the chicken into thin strips, ideal for wrapping or piling in pita bread.
- Assemble Your Shawarma: Lay pita bread or flatbread on a plate and place sliced chicken atop. Add fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce, along with pickles to create a balanced and vibrant filling. Drizzle generously with the creamy garlic sauce. Serve immediately while warm and fresh.
Notes
- Marinating overnight enhances the depth of flavors in the chicken dramatically.
- You can adjust the cayenne pepper quantity or omit it entirely depending on your heat preference.
- Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs ensures juicy and tender meat perfect for shawarma.
- If grilling is not an option, a stovetop skillet works equally well for cooking the chicken.
- The creamy garlic sauce can be prepared a day ahead for convenience and better flavor melding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
