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Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce

This easy chicken shawarma recipe features tender marinated chicken served with a creamy garlic sauce, perfect for weeknights or gatherings.
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Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 12 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Marinade
  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), sliced thin Use thighs for juicier meat.
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt Helps tenderize the chicken.
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced For marinade.
  • Salt and pepper to taste
For the Garlic Sauce
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced or crushed
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt to taste
  • Water to thin as needed
Optional Toppings and Sides
  • Pita bread or flatbreads
  • Sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, pickles
  • Fresh parsley

Method
 

Marinating the Chicken
  1. In a bowl, mix yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
  2. Add sliced chicken to the marinade. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best flavor.
Making the Garlic Sauce
  1. Combine mayonnaise, yogurt, crushed garlic, lemon juice, and salt. Add a little water if the sauce is too thick. Chill until ready to serve.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a little oil.
  2. Cook the marinated chicken slices in a single layer. Do not crowd the pan. Cook for 4–6 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
  3. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice thin if needed.
  4. Warm pita or flatbread if using.
Serving the Dish
  1. Place sliced chicken on warm pita or a plate. Spoon garlic sauce over the chicken. Add sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley.
  2. You can also make a bowl with rice or salad under the chicken.

Notes

Marinate longer for more flavor; cook in batches for better browning. For a milder sauce, use less garlic or add more yogurt.