Irresistible Chicken Shawarma Garlic (Printable)

Tender chicken infused with aromatic spices and creamy garlic sauce, perfect for wraps or bowls.

# What You Need:

→ Marinade

01 - 3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
02 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
05 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Chicken

11 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

→ Garlic Sauce

12 - 1 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
13 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
15 - Pinch of salt

→ For Serving

16 - Pita bread or flatbreads
17 - Sliced cucumbers
18 - Sliced tomatoes
19 - Sliced red onion
20 - Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
02 - Add chicken thighs or breasts to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are thoroughly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight for enhanced flavor development.
03 - Preheat a grill or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly coat the surface with oil to prevent sticking.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade and place on the heated grill or pan. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate and rest for 5 minutes.
05 - Once rested, slice the cooked chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces for serving.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Arrange sliced chicken in pita bread or on a serving plate. Drizzle generously with garlic sauce and top with fresh vegetables and herbs as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The chicken stays incredibly juicy because thighs absorb all those spices like they were made for this exact purpose.
  • You can prep everything in the morning and cook dinner in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight wins.
  • That garlic sauce is so creamy and addictive you'll find yourself making extra just to have in the fridge.
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that marinating overnight actually does make a difference, transforming good chicken into chicken that tastes intentional and developed.
  • Resting the cooked chicken for five minutes is the difference between juicy and dry, and it takes longer to get distracted than to do it right.
03 -
  • If you're short on time, marinate for just 30 minutes at room temperature and it's still genuinely delicious, though overnight deepens the flavor in ways that make you feel like you planned ahead.
  • Chicken thighs are more forgiving than breasts and stay juicier, but if you use breasts, pound them to even thickness and watch them closely so they don't dry out.
Go Back