Authentic-Style Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce
Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce features tender, spice-marinated chicken roasted or grilled and served with creamy garlic sauce and fresh vegetables in warm pita.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Garlic Sauce:
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup neutral oil
2 tablespoons plain yogurt or mayonnaise
Salt to taste
For Serving:
Pita bread
Sliced tomatoes
Sliced cucumbers
Red onion
Chopped parsley
Instructions
1. In a bowl, whisk yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, spices, salt, and pepper.
2. Add chicken and coat thoroughly. Marinate at least 2 hours or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 425°F or prepare grill.
4. Roast chicken 25 to 30 minutes or grill 6 to 7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. Rest chicken 5 to 10 minutes, then slice thinly.
6. For garlic sauce, whisk garlic and lemon juice, slowly add oil while mixing, then stir in yogurt and salt.
7. Assemble in warm pita with vegetables and garlic sauce.
Notes
Overnight marination deepens flavor.
Broil briefly for extra browning.
Serve with rice for a plated option.