Irresistible Chicken Shawarma Garlic (Print)

Juicy, spiced chicken paired with creamy garlic sauce, ideal for versatile meals with fresh veggies.

# Ingredients:

→ Marinade

01 - 3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
02 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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
09 - 1 teaspoon 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
18 - Sliced tomatoes
19 - Sliced red onion
20 - Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until fully combined and aromatic.
02 - Add chicken thighs or breasts to the marinade, turning to coat all surfaces evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight for enhanced flavor development.
03 - Preheat a grill or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly coat with oil to prevent sticking.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer at the thickest point.
05 - Transfer cooked chicken to a clean 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. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed for desired tang and garlic intensity.
07 - Arrange sliced chicken in pita bread or on a serving plate. Drizzle generously with garlic sauce and top with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and chopped herbs.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The spice blend is warm and complex without being intimidating, making you feel like a real cook even if you've never made shawarma before.
  • Chicken thighs stay impossibly juicy while developing those golden, slightly crispy edges that make you reach for seconds.
  • That garlic sauce is dangerously good and transforms everything it touches, from the chicken to leftover veggies you find in your fridge.
02 -
  • Marinating overnight isn't just for flavor, it's also when the spices actually penetrate the chicken instead of sitting on the surface, so plan ahead when you can.
  • Don't skip the resting period after cooking, because that's when your perfectly cooked chicken goes from good to genuinely juicy and tender.
03 -
  • If you're short on time, even marinating for just 30 minutes on the counter will give you good results, though overnight in the fridge is truly the way to go when your schedule allows.
  • Greek yogurt in the sauce makes it lighter and tangier, which some people prefer, so don't feel like you have to use mayo if that's not your style.
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