Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce (Printable version)

Marinated grilled chicken with creamy garlic sauce in soft pita, topped with crisp vegetables and tangy pickles.

# Ingredient list:

→ 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 black 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

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - Combine garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, 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 optimal flavor infusion.
02 - Whisk Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, tahini, and salt in a small bowl until smooth and well combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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 an internal temperature of 165°F.
04 - Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes to retain juices. Slice into thin strips against the grain.
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 while warm.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • The spice blend creates layers of flavor that develop beautifully during marinating
  • That creamy garlic sauce is addictive and works on everything from sandwiches to roasted vegetables
  • Its surprisingly forgiving and comes together faster than youd expect
02 -
  • Let the chicken rest before slicing or all those delicious juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in your wrap
  • Warm your pita bread properly or it will crack and split when you try to fold it
  • The sauce needs at least 30 minutes in the fridge for the garlic flavor to mellow and blend
03 -
  • Slice the chicken against the grain for the most tender bite
  • Toast your pitas directly on the grill grate for 30 seconds per side
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