Top 5 Tips for Perfect Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce Recipe
This Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce recipe delivers juicy, flavor-packed chicken thighs marinated in a blend of Middle Eastern spices and served with a creamy, tangy garlic sauce. Perfect for pita wraps or served bowl-style with fresh vegetables and grains, this dish is a vibrant and satisfying meal that combines aromatic spices with cooling yogurt sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including marinating)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling or Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
For the Garlic Sauce:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 4 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, coriander, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Let the spices bloom for a few minutes to enhance their aromas before adding the chicken.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the marinade and turn them until fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally up to 8 hours to fully penetrate the flavors and tenderize the meat.
- Cook the chicken: Preheat a grill pan, cast iron skillet, or oven to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken thighs for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, or bake at 425°F (220°C) for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
- Make the garlic sauce: While the chicken cooks, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, and salt in a bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Refrigerate the sauce until serving.
- Assemble and serve: Serve sliced chicken in warm pita or flatbread with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions. Drizzle generously with garlic sauce and wrap or plate as desired. Alternatively, serve bowl-style with rice or quinoa for a gluten-free option.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight if time allows.
- Use boneless skinless chicken thighs for juicier meat compared to breast.
- Adjust garlic in the sauce to match your taste preference—add more for stronger flavor.
- Serve with fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions for crunch and freshness.
- Can be made gluten-free by serving without pita or using gluten-free flatbread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: chicken shawarma, garlic sauce, Middle Eastern chicken, shawarma marinade, grilled chicken recipe, garlic yogurt sauce, easy shawarma
