Chicken Shawarma With Creamy Garlic Sauce (Printable View)

Tender spiced chicken in warm pita with rich garlic sauce and fresh vegetables

# What You 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 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
12 - 1.5 tsp kosher salt
13 - 1/2 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 - 1/2 tsp salt
21 - 1/4 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 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
27 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, olive oil, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, allspice, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Add the chicken thighs, tossing to coat completely. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to 12 hours for best flavor.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and white pepper until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
03 - Preheat oven to 425°F or preheat a grill to medium-high. Arrange marinated chicken thighs on a parchment-lined baking sheet or grill grate. Roast or grill for 25-30 minutes, flipping once, until chicken is browned and cooked through. Let rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - Warm the pita breads. Top each with lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and sliced chicken. Drizzle generously with creamy garlic sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley.
05 - Serve immediately, wrapping the pita around the fillings.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The spice blend creates that authentic street food flavor you usually have to travel for
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, including marinating time
  • The creamy garlic sauce is honestly good enough to eat with a spoon
02 -
  • The marinade needs at least one hour, but overnight is even better for deeper flavor
  • Slicing against the grain keeps each bite tender instead of chewy
  • Warm pitas fold easier and don't crack when you wrap them
03 -
  • Grate the garlic instead of mincing for a smoother sauce without any harsh bites
  • Double the sauce recipe because everyone will want extra for dipping

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