Creamy Garlic Chicken Shawarma Recipe
This Creamy Garlic Chicken Shawarma recipe offers a flavorful and indulgent twist on traditional shawarma by combining a fragrant spice marinade with a rich, garlic-infused creamy sauce. Tender chicken thighs or breasts are marinated in aromatic spices and yogurt, then cooked to juicy perfection and served with warm pita bread and fresh veggies for a delicious homemade meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes (including marinating time; actual hands-on cook and prep time ~22 minutes)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional, for heat)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Creamy Garlic Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
To Serve
- Warm pita bread or flatbreads
- Sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions
- Pickles or pickled turnips (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Marinade: In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, chili powder if using, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well blended to develop a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the thinly sliced chicken to the marinade, tossing well to ensure each piece is fully coated. Cover with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Prepare the Creamy Garlic Sauce: While the chicken marinates, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add the marinated chicken slices in a single layer. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and nicely browned on all sides.
- Warm the Pita: While the chicken cooks, warm pita or flatbreads in a dry pan or microwave for a few seconds until soft and pliable.
- Assemble Your Shawarma: Spread a generous spoonful of the creamy garlic sauce onto each warm pita. Top with cooked chicken, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions. Add pickles or pickled turnips if desired, and garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro.
- Enjoy! Roll up or fold the pita and enjoy your flavorful and creamy garlic chicken shawarma, perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight to allow spices to deeply infuse.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat compared to breasts.
- The chili powder is optional; omit if you prefer a milder dish.
- Pickled turnips add a traditional tangy crunch but can be substituted with any favorite pickles.
- Warm the pita just before serving for best texture and pliability.
- Leftover shawarma can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Chicken Shawarma, Garlic Sauce, Middle Eastern Recipe, Creamy Shawarma, Greek Yogurt Marinade, Easy Dinner, Spiced Chicken, Homemade Shawarma
Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/creamy-garlic-chicken-shawarma-recipe/
