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recipe image of Chicken Thighs Olive Oil Garlic Lemon Juice Cumin Coriander Paprika Turmeric Cinnamon Cayenne Pepper Greek Yogurt Pita Bread Tomatoes Cucumber Onion Parsley Tahini Mayo Za'atar Spice Cardamom Sumac Red Pepper Flakes Ginger Tomato Paste Kosher Salt Black Pepper arranged on a white marble kitchen counter with clear glass bowls and rustic brown wooden kitchen sets under soft diffuse daylight realistic top down mise en place shot
Benjamin

Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce Easy Mediterranean Recipe

Experience the irresistible smoky, charred flavor of authentic chicken shawarma paired with a creamy, punchy garlic sauce, all made easy in your home kitchen without special equipment.
Prep Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 46 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 2 lbs 2
  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs thighs stay much juicier than breasts
  • 1/4 cup 1/4
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 tbsp 2
  • Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 4 cloves 4 minced
  • Garlic Cloves for the marinade
  • 1 tbsp 1
  • Ground Cumin
  • 1 tbsp 1
  • Ground Coriander
  • 1 tsp 1
  • Smoked Paprika
  • 1/2 tsp 1/2
  • Turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 the secret ingredient!
  • Ground Cinnamon
  • Salt
  • Black Pepper
For the Garlic Sauce (Toum Style)
  • 1 cup 1 peeled
  • Garlic Cloves for the sauce
  • 2 cups 2 like Grapeseed or Canola
  • Neutral Oil
  • 1/2 cup 1/2
  • Lemon Juice for the sauce
  • 1 tsp 1
  • Salt for the sauce
For Serving
  • Pita Bread or Lavash
  • Red Onions
  • Parsley
  • Pickles
  • Fresh Tomatoes
  • Fresh Cucumbers

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • food processor
  • Grill or Cast Iron Skillet

Method
 

Prepare the Marinade
  1. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper in a large glass bowl. This marinade tenderizes the meat and imparts a golden hue.
  2. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and coat them thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best flavor. If short on time, marinate for 30 minutes.
  3. While the chicken marinates, prepare the garlic sauce. In a food processor, pulse the peeled garlic cloves with salt until finely minced. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the oil in a thin stream, alternating with splashes of lemon juice, until emulsified into a fluffy white sauce.
  4. Preheat your outdoor grill or a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid crowding.
  5. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips.
  6. Serve with warm pita, garlic sauce, onions, parsley, pickles, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Build wraps by smearing sauce on pita, adding chicken and toppings.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 35gFat: 30g

Notes

Store chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge; chicken up to 4 days, sauce up to 2 weeks. Reheat chicken in a skillet with a splash of oil. For less bitter sauce, remove garlic germ before blending. Gluten-free option: Serve over rice or lettuce wraps. Nutrition per serving is approximate.
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