Irresistible Chicken Shawarma Garlic (Printable version)

Tender spiced chicken with creamy garlic sauce, ideal for wraps, bowls, or salads.

# Needed ingredients:

→ Marinade

01 - 3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
02 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
03 - 1 teaspoon paprika, smoked paprika optional
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 or lime juice
09 - 1 teaspoon salt, preferably Himalayan pink 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, tomatoes, and red onion
18 - Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

# How to make it:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly combined.
02 - Add chicken thighs or breasts to the marinade, coating each piece thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight for maximum flavor development.
03 - Preheat a grill or non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the surface to prevent sticking.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
05 - Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Slice into strips or bite-sized pieces.
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 plate, generously drizzle with garlic sauce, and top with fresh vegetables and herbs as desired.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • The chicken stays impossibly juicy because of the simple marinade and quick cooking method.
  • That garlic sauce is dangerously good and somehow makes everything taste like you worked all day.
  • It comes together in under two hours, yet tastes like something from a proper restaurant.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time after cooking; it's when the chicken reabsorbs its own juices and stays tender instead of drying out.
  • Make the garlic sauce while the chicken is still cooking so the flavors meld before serving.
03 -
  • If your marinade seems thick, add another tablespoon of lemon juice to loosen it slightly without losing intensity.
  • Let the cooked chicken rest on a cutting board with a loose tent of foil so it stays warm while you finish preparing everything else.
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