Irresistible Chicken Shawarma (Printable)

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 - Pickles (Middle Eastern-style or dill)

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, combine garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best flavor.
02 - In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, tahini, and salt until smooth. Refrigerate until serving.
03 - Preheat a grill or stovetop skillet over medium-high heat. Grill marinated chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, until charred and cooked through (internal temperature 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 spice blend hits every warm, aromatic note without overwhelming your palate
  • That garlic sauce is dangerously good and you'll want to put it on everything
  • It transforms a weeknight dinner into something that feels special and memorable
02 -
  • Dont skip the resting time after cooking, otherwise all those juices end up on your cutting board instead of in your wrap
  • Warm your pita bread before assembling, it makes a huge difference in texture and prevents tearing
  • The garlic sauce needs at least 30 minutes in the fridge to come together properly
03 -
  • Pat the chicken dry before marinating so the spices really cling to the meat
  • Use your grill's smoke to your advantage, those charred bits are where the magic happens
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