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Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce

A delightful explosion of flavor featuring juicy marinated chicken served with a creamy garlic sauce, perfect for any occasion.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Marinade
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 juices Juice of 2 lemons
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Garlic Sauce
  • 1 cup plain yogurt (Greek works best for creaminess)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 juice Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For Serving
  • Pita bread or flatbreads
  • Sliced fresh vegetables (cucumbers, tomatoes, onions)
  • Pickles (optional)

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
  2. Add the chicken thighs, making sure they are well-coated in the marinade.
  3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
Prepare the Garlic Sauce
  1. While the chicken marinates, mix the yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt in a small dish.
  2. Adjust salt to taste and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Cook the Chicken
  1. Preheat your grill or oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. If using an oven, line a baking sheet with foil.
  3. Arrange the marinated chicken on the grill or baking sheet.
  4. Grill for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has beautiful char marks.
  5. If using an oven, bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
Rest and Slice
  1. Remove chicken from the grill or oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing it into strips.
  2. This step ensures the juices redistribute, keeping the chicken tender and moist.
Assemble and Serve
  1. Warm the pita bread or flatbreads.
  2. Place the sliced chicken on each piece, drizzle generously with garlic sauce, and top with sliced vegetables and pickles if desired.
  3. Roll or fold the pita and enjoy!

Notes

Use fresh ingredients whenever possible for the best flavor. For a vegetarian twist, try using marinated portobello mushrooms or grilled eggplant instead of chicken.