Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce

Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce is a delicious and popular Middle Eastern dish that you can easily make at home. It features marinated chicken that is grilled or baked to perfection, served in warm pita bread with a creamy garlic sauce and fresh veggies. This dish not only tastes amazing but also brings a touch of Middle Eastern cuisine to your dinner table.

Why Make This Recipe

Making Chicken Shawarma at home is both satisfying and fun. You can customize the flavors and ingredients to suit your taste. Plus, it is a great option for a quick weeknight meal or a tasty weekend gathering. The combination of spices and the creamy garlic sauce creates a dish that is full of flavor and sure to impress your family and friends.

How to Make Chicken Shawarma

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken thighs or breasts
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp ground paprika
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup water
• Pita bread or flatbreads for serving
• Fresh vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce) for serving

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, allspice, salt, and black pepper together.
2. Add the chicken to the marinade, ensuring it’s well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
3. Preheat the grill or oven to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side or until cooked through. If baking, place on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.
4. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the garlic sauce by mixing the yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, and water in a bowl until smooth.
5. Once cooked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice it.
6. Serve the chicken in pita bread or flatbreads with fresh vegetables and garlic sauce.

How to Serve Chicken Shawarma

Serve Chicken Shawarma warm in pita bread or flatbreads. Add fresh veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce for crunch. Drizzle the creamy garlic sauce on top for added flavor. It can also be served with a side of pickles or extra sauce for dipping.

How to Store Chicken Shawarma

Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For best results, store the chicken and the garlic sauce separately. To reheat, use a microwave or warm it in a skillet on the stove.

Tips to Make Chicken Shawarma

• Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness.
• Feel free to adjust the spices to match your preferences. For more heat, add some cayenne pepper.
• For a nice char on the chicken, ensure that your grill is preheated properly.

Variation

For a vegetarian option, you can replace chicken with marinated grilled vegetables or tofu. You can also use different sauces, such as hummus or tzatziki.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, chicken breast can be used, but thighs tend to be juicier which enhances the flavor.

2. Can I make the garlic sauce in advance?
Yes, the garlic sauce can be prepared a day ahead. Just store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.

3. Is this dish spicy?
No, Chicken Shawarma is not typically spicy. However, you can add spices like cayenne pepper for a kick if you prefer it spicy.

Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce

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A delicious and popular Middle Eastern dish with marinated chicken, creamy garlic sauce, and fresh veggies, served in warm pita bread.

• Total Time: 90 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs chicken thighs or breasts
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp ground paprika
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup water
• Pita bread or flatbreads for serving
• Fresh vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce) for serving

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, allspice, salt, and black pepper together.
2. Add the chicken to the marinade, ensuring it’s well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 60 minutes, preferably overnight.
3. Preheat the grill or oven to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side or until cooked through. If baking, place on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.
4. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the garlic sauce by mixing the yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, and water in a bowl until smooth.
5. Once cooked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice it.
6. Serve the chicken in pita bread or flatbreads with fresh vegetables and garlic sauce.

Notes

Marinate the chicken overnight for best flavor. Adjust spices to taste and serve with pickles or extra sauce for dipping.

• Author: aymane-mouraigmail-com-2
• Prep Time: 60 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Grilling or Baking
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern
• Diet: None

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: Chicken Shawarma, Middle Eastern Recipe, Garlic Sauce, Grilled Chicken