Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce (Print Version)

Marinated grilled chicken in warm pita with creamy garlic sauce and fresh vegetables

# What You Need:

→ For the Chicken Shawarma

01 - 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
03 - 2 tablespoons ground cumin
04 - 2 tablespoons ground coriander
05 - 1 tablespoon paprika
06 - 1 tablespoon turmeric
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
09 - 1/4 cup olive oil
10 - Juice of 1 lemon
11 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ For the Creamy Garlic Sauce

12 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
13 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
15 - 2 tablespoons tahini
16 - Salt to taste

→ For Serving

17 - 4 pita breads or flatbreads
18 - Fresh vegetables: sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded lettuce
19 - Middle Eastern-style or dill pickles

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best flavor.
02 - Mix Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, tahini, and salt in a small bowl until smooth. Refrigerate until serving.
03 - Preheat grill or stovetop skillet over medium-high heat. Grill marinated chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until charred and cooked through, reaching internal temperature of 165°F.
04 - Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice into thin strips.
05 - Place sliced chicken in the center of each pita bread. Top with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, pickles, and a generous drizzle of creamy garlic sauce.
06 - Roll up or fold each wrap and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce alone is worth making double batch and keeping in your fridge forever
  • Marinating overnight transforms ordinary chicken into something that tastes like it came from a restaurant
  • You can customize every wrap to exactly what you are craving that moment
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest after cooking is not optional if you want it to stay juicy
  • The sauce needs at least thirty minutes in the fridge for the garlic to mellow out
  • Warm your pitas for thirty seconds before filling or they will crack and fall apart
03 -
  • Cook your chicken thighs whole and slice them afterward so they stay incredibly juicy
  • Get your grill pan screaming hot for those restaurant quality char marks
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