Chicken Shawarma with Creamy Garlic Sauce

A delicious and popular Middle Eastern dish featuring marinated chicken served with a creamy garlic sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend feasts.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 1 25

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

For the Chicken

1.5 pounds boneless chicken thighs
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons ground coriander
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) Adjust spiciness to taste
1/4 cup olive oil
to taste Salt and pepper

For the Creamy Garlic Sauce

1 cup plain Greek yogurt
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons tahini
to taste Salt

For Serving

to taste Pita bread or flatbreads
to taste Fresh vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce)
to taste Pickles

Method

Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl, combine chicken thighs, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne (if using), olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.

Prepare the Creamy Garlic Sauce

In another bowl, stir together Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, tahini, and salt to taste. Mix until smooth and set aside.

Cook the Chicken

Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.

Assemble and Serve

Slice the chicken and serve it in pita bread or flatbreads. Top with fresh vegetables and a generous dollop of creamy garlic sauce. You can also add pickles for extra flavor.

Notes

Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavors. Adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne pepper. Use fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro to garnish for extra flavor.