Chicken Shawarma with Creamy Garlic Sauce
Chicken Shawarma with Creamy Garlic Sauce is a flavorful Middle Eastern dish featuring tender, spiced chicken thighs paired with a rich, tangy garlic sauce, perfect for wraps or rice bowls.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes (including marination)
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Marinating, Grilling/Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground paprika
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ cup Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice (for sauce)
3 garlic cloves, minced (for sauce)
Salt and pepper, to taste (for sauce)
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (for serving)
Warm pita bread or flatbread (for serving)
Optional: Sliced cucumbers, diced tomatoes, pickled turnips (for serving)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne pepper.
- Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
- In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Preheat grill, oven, or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the marinated chicken for 5–7 minutes per side until fully cooked and slightly charred.
- Let chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Place sliced chicken onto warm pita or flatbread.
- Drizzle with creamy garlic sauce.
- Top with chopped parsley and optional vegetables.
- Roll up the bread to enclose the filling and serve.
Notes
- Marinate chicken overnight for best flavor.
- For a spicier dish, add more cayenne pepper or chili flakes.
- Vegetarian option: substitute chicken with marinated tofu or jackfruit.
- Serve gluten-free by using rice or gluten-free wraps instead of pita.
- Dairy-free alternatives can be used for yogurt and mayonnaise.
- Store cooked chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
- Reheat chicken on skillet; reheat sauce gently to maintain texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
