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Easy Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce

A flavorful dish featuring marinated chicken grilled to perfection and drizzled with a creamy garlic sauce, perfect for any family gathering.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Marinade
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp ground paprika
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
For the Garlic Sauce
  • ½ cup plain yogurt (Halal)
  • 2 tbsp tahini
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • to taste salt
For Assembly
  • Pita bread or flatbreads
  • Sliced cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles for topping

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Add the chicken thighs, ensuring they’re well-coated. Cover and let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for best results).
Cook the Chicken
  1. Preheat your grill or skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the marinated chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until the chicken is fully cooked and golden brown.
  3. Remove from heat and allow it to rest for a few minutes.
Make the Garlic Sauce
  1. In a small bowl, mix together plain yogurt, tahini, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt.
  2. Adjust seasoning to your taste.
Assemble the Shawarma
  1. Slice the cooked chicken into thin strips.
  2. Lay the sliced chicken in pita or flatbread, top with fresh vegetables, and drizzle generously with garlic sauce.
  3. Roll it up and enjoy every delicious bite!

Notes

Substitutions: Swap chicken thighs for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or grilled vegetables for a vegetarian option. Timing: Preheat your grill or skillet for a lovely char. Avoid common mistakes by allowing the chicken to marinate long enough for better flavor.