Description
This Chicken Shawarma with Creamy Garlic Sauce recipe offers a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring tender, spice-rubbed chicken thighs baked to perfection. Served with a tangy and creamy garlic sauce, fresh pita bread, and crisp sliced vegetables, it’s an easy and satisfying meal perfect for any day.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Shawarma
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Creamy Garlic Sauce
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
To Serve
- Pita bread
- Sliced tomatoes
- Sliced cucumbers
- Sliced onions
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Spice Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, paprika, turmeric, garlic powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper to create the flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the bowl and coat them thoroughly with the spice mixture, ensuring each piece is well covered.
- Bake the Chicken: Arrange the coated chicken thighs in a baking dish in a single layer and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and juicy.
- Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce: While the chicken bakes, mix together Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, mayonnaise, olive oil, and salt in a separate bowl. Set this sauce aside to develop flavors.
- Rest and Slice Chicken: Once cooked, allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly to retain juices and enhance tenderness.
- Warm the Pita Bread: Place pita bread in the oven to warm it slightly, making it soft and pliable for wrapping.
- Assemble the Shawarma: Lay slices of chicken onto the warmed pita bread, then add fresh sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions on top.
- Add the Sauce: Drizzle the creamy garlic sauce generously over the vegetables and chicken for added flavor and moisture.
- Wrap and Serve: Roll up the pita with all the fillings securely inside and enjoy your delicious homemade Chicken Shawarma with Creamy Garlic Sauce.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts, but thighs provide more tenderness and flavor.
- For a spicier variation, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the spice mixture.
- The creamy garlic sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated to let flavors meld.
- Serve with extra fresh vegetables or pickles for added crunch and acidity.
- Leftover sliced chicken shawarma can be used in salads or wraps the next day.
