Description
Garlic chicken shawarma delivers a Middle Eastern flavor explosion straight to your dinner table. Tender marinated chicken, wrapped in warm pita and drizzled with tangy sauce, turns an ordinary meal into a delicious adventure.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Marinade Spices:
- 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 0.5 teaspoon turmeric
- 0.5 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt
- Pepper
Supporting Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Garlic Sauce:
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- 3 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt
Instructions
- Whisk ½ cup Greek yogurt, 3 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice from 1 whole lemon, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 ½ teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon coriander, ½ teaspoon turmeric, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon into a smooth marinade.
- Add 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring each piece gets fully coated. Seal container and refrigerate for minimum 1 hour, ideally overnight.
- Preheat a skillet to medium heat (375°F). Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off.
- Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and exterior develops golden-brown crispy edges.
- Transfer chicken to cutting board and allow 5 minutes resting time to redistribute juices.
- Slice chicken thinly against the grain for tender, even pieces.
- Create garlic sauce by mixing ½ cup mayonnaise, 3 finely grated garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice until creamy.
- Serve sliced chicken inside warm pita bread or atop rice, drizzling garlic sauce generously on top.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and sliced red onions for extra flavor and crunch.
Notes
- Marinate chicken overnight for maximum flavor infusion and tenderness.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F without overcooking.
- For a gluten-free version, serve over cauliflower rice or wrapped in lettuce leaves instead of pita.
- Let the chicken rest after cooking to help retain its juicy texture and distribute internal moisture evenly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 375 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg