Chicken Shawarma With Creamy Garlic Sauce (Print Version)
Tender spiced chicken roasted and wrapped in warm pita with rich garlic sauce and fresh vegetables.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken Marinade
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 3 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
03 - 3 tbsp olive oil
04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1.5 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1.5 tsp ground coriander
07 - 1.5 tsp ground paprika
08 - 1 tsp ground turmeric
09 - 1 tsp ground allspice
10 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
11 - 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
12 - 1.5 tsp kosher salt
13 - 0.5 tsp black pepper
14 - Juice of 1 large lemon
→ Creamy Garlic Sauce
15 - 4 large garlic cloves, finely minced or grated
16 - 1 cup mayonnaise
17 - 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
18 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
19 - 1 tbsp olive oil
20 - 0.5 tsp salt
21 - 0.25 tsp ground white pepper
→ Serving Components
22 - 4 large pita breads or flatbreads
23 - 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
24 - 1 cup sliced cucumbers
25 - 1 cup sliced tomatoes
26 - 0.5 red onion, thinly sliced
27 - 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley
# Steps:
01 - Combine yogurt, olive oil, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, allspice, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, pepper, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 12 hours for optimal flavor development.
02 - Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and white pepper in a small bowl until smooth and emulsified. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
03 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange marinated chicken thighs on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until chicken is deeply browned and reaches internal temperature of 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
04 - Warm pita breads in a dry skillet or oven. Top each bread with lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and sliced chicken. Drizzle generously with creamy garlic sauce and garnish with chopped parsley. Fold or roll tightly and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The spice blend creates an aroma that will have everyone asking whats for dinner before you even start cooking
- Marinating the chicken overnight makes it incredibly tender and flavorful throughout every bite
02 -
- The chicken needs to rest after cooking so the juices redistribute, otherwise they all run out onto your cutting board
- Let the sauce sit for at least 30 minutes before serving, otherwise the garlic taste will be too sharp and overwhelming
03 -
- Grate the garlic for the sauce instead of mincing it for a smoother, more intense flavor that melts into the creamy base
- Finish the chicken under the broiler for two minutes to get those crispy charred edges that make street food so addictive