Description
Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce is a Middle Eastern street food dish featuring marinated chicken served with creamy garlic sauce, perfect for wrapping in pita or serving with rice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- For the Garlic Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For Serving:
- Pita bread or rice
- Fresh vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce)
- Pickles and hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, paprika, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and minced garlic.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Cook the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Rest the Chicken: Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for about 5 minutes.
- Make the Garlic Sauce: While the chicken is resting, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl until combined and creamy.
- Slice the Chicken: After resting, slice the grilled chicken into thin strips.
- Prepare for Serving: Warm the pita bread on the grill for a minute or two, if desired.
- Assemble: Lay the sliced chicken on the pita bread or over rice. Drizzle generously with garlic sauce and add fresh vegetables and pickles if using.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately for a delicious meal!
Notes
- Use fresh spices for enhanced flavor.
- Adding lemon juice at the end of marinating helps keep the chicken juicy.
- Ensure the grill is preheated for a good char and to prevent sticking.
- Serve with chopped parsley or mint for freshness.
- Add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the marinade for a spicy kick.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pita or serve with quinoa or cauliflower rice.
- Garlic sauce can be made a day in advance.
- If you don’t have a grill, use a grill pan or bake the chicken at 400°F.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: N/A