Chicken Shawarma With Creamy Garlic Sauce (Print version)
Spiced chicken thighs wrapped in warm pita with creamy garlic sauce and fresh vegetables for authentic Middle Eastern flavors.
# 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
# Directions:
01 - Combine the yogurt, olive oil, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, allspice, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Add the 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 the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and white pepper in a small bowl until smooth and well combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
03 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange the marinated chicken thighs on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the chicken is browned and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
04 - Warm the pita breads. Layer each pita with shredded lettuce, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and sliced chicken. Drizzle generously with the creamy garlic sauce and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Fold the pita around the fillings and serve immediately.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The marinade transforms humble chicken thighs into something extraordinarily tender and flavorful
- That creamy garlic sauce is absolutely addictive and worth making by itself
02 -
- Slicing against the grain after resting keeps the chicken tender instead of tough and chewy
- Letting the sauce sit for at least 30 minutes mellows the raw garlic bite into something creamy and wonderful
03 -
- Finish the chicken under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes to get those crispy edges that make shawarma irresistible
- The longer the chicken marinates, the deeper the flavor penetrates into every single bite