Description
This Irresistible Chicken Shawarma recipe brings the authentic flavors of the Middle East right to your kitchen. Tender, marinated chicken thighs are grilled to perfection, layered with fresh vegetables and drizzled with creamy tahini or garlic sauce, all wrapped in warm pita bread. Perfect for a flavorful and satisfying homemade meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of 1 lemon
Wrap and Garnishes
- 4 pita breads or flatbreads
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup sliced tomatoes
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ½ cup chopped cucumber
- ½ cup tahini sauce or garlic sauce for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, combine Greek yogurt, olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the marinade, tossing to ensure each piece is evenly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Preheat Equipment: Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken. This will help achieve a nice char and proper cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade and place it directly on the grill or skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, until the chicken is fully cooked through and has a beautiful charred exterior for authentic flavor.
- Rest and Slice: Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes. This helps retain the juices. Then slice the chicken into thin strips to make it easy to assemble in the wraps.
- Warm the Pita: Heat the pita breads or flatbreads gently until soft and warm, either briefly on the grill or in a dry skillet.
- Assemble the Shawarma Wraps: Lay each warmed pita flat and layer with sliced chicken, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, red onion, and chopped cucumber. Drizzle generously with tahini or garlic sauce.
- Serve: Roll up the pita breads tightly to enclose the fillings and serve immediately while warm and fresh.
Notes
- For extra crispy edges, broil the cooked chicken for 2-3 minutes before slicing.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted for thighs, but thighs provide more flavor and juiciness.
- This recipe pairs wonderfully with sides like hummus or pickled vegetables for an enhanced Middle Eastern experience.
- Use dairy-free yogurt to make the marinade suitable for a dairy-free diet.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
