Description
This Chicken Shawarma with Creamy Garlic Sauce recipe offers a flavorful Middle Eastern classic made easy at home. Juicy, spice-rubbed chicken thighs are oven-baked to perfection and served with a tangy, creamy garlic sauce, wrapped in warm pita bread with fresh vegetables. A deliciously satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 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
For Serving
- Pita bread, for serving
- Sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Mix Spices and Oil: In a bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, paprika, turmeric, garlic powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper to create the flavorful marinade.
- Coat Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and thoroughly coat each piece with the spice mixture ensuring all sides are covered.
- Bake Chicken: Place the coated chicken thighs in a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes until fully cooked and juices run clear.
- Prepare Garlic Sauce: While the chicken bakes, mix Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, mayonnaise, olive oil, and salt in a bowl; set aside to develop flavor.
- Rest and Slice Chicken: Once cooked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes to retain juices, then slice thinly.
- Warm Pita: Place pita bread in the oven to warm slightly, making it pliable for wrapping.
- Assemble Shawarma: Lay slices of chicken onto the warm pita bread as the base layer.
- Add Vegetables: Top the chicken with fresh sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions for crunch and freshness.
- Drizzle Sauce: Generously drizzle the prepared creamy garlic sauce over the toppings to add richness and tang.
- Wrap and Enjoy: Wrap the pita around the fillings and enjoy your homemade Chicken Shawarma with Creamy Garlic Sauce!
Notes
- For extra tenderness, marinate the chicken for 1-2 hours before baking.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts if preferred, though thighs tend to be juicier.
- The creamy garlic sauce can be adjusted in garlic amount to suit your taste preference.
- To make this dish gluten free, use gluten-free pita or serve with a salad instead.
- Leftover chicken and sauce can be stored separately in the fridge for up to 3 days.
