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Chicken Shawarma with Creamy Garlic Sauce

Tender, juicy chicken thighs marinated in warm, aromatic spices and served with a cool, creamy garlic sauce! This easy Chicken Shawarma brings all the deliciousness of your favorite Middle Eastern street food right to your kitchen — no fancy equipment needed!

  • Total Time: 40 minutes (plus marinating)
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

  • For the Chicken Shawarma:

    • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

    • 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt

    • 3 tablespoons olive oil

    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

    • 4 garlic cloves, minced

    • 2 teaspoons ground cumin

    • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

    • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

    • 1 teaspoon ground coriander

    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

    • 1 teaspoon salt

    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    For the Creamy Garlic Sauce:

    • ½ cup mayonnaise

    • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt

    • 3 garlic cloves, finely minced or grated

    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

    • Salt, to taste

Instructions

 

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and all spices. Add chicken thighs and toss until well coated. Cover and marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight.

  2. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange chicken on a lined baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through. For charred edges, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes.

  3. While chicken cooks, whisk together all ingredients for the creamy garlic sauce in a small bowl. Taste and adjust salt if needed.

  4. Slice the cooked chicken thinly. Serve stuffed in warm pita with a drizzle of creamy garlic sauce and your favorite toppings.

Notes

 

  • Marinating overnight gives the most flavor, but even 1 hour will work in a pinch!

  • Chicken thighs are best for this recipe — they’re super juicy and forgiving!

  • To grill instead of baking, cook over medium-high heat for about 5-7 minutes per side.

  • This shawarma is fantastic for meal prep — make extra and enjoy all week!

  • Want it dairy-free? Swap the yogurt with coconut yogurt!

  • Author: cookspotlight
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus marinating time)
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Main Course
  • Method: Baking, Roasting
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 520mg
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 5g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: chicken shawarma, creamy garlic sauce, Middle Eastern chicken, shawarma wrap, easy chicken dinner, meal prep chicken, homemade shawarma