Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce Recipe
This easy and delicious Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce recipe offers a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring marinated and grilled chicken strips paired with a creamy, garlicky sauce. Perfect for a quick meal, it can be served in pita bread or with fresh vegetables and pickled turnips for an authentic taste.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling or Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Shawarma:
- 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Garlic Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Add the chicken strips and marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably longer or up to overnight for deeper flavor.
- Preheat Your Grill or Pan: Heat your grill or a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add a few drops of oil to prevent sticking and help the chicken brown evenly.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken into the preheated pan or grill. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Prepare the Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Adjust garlic or salt as desired for extra flavor.
- Assemble and Serve: Allow the cooked chicken to rest a few minutes, then slice into bite-sized pieces. Serve inside pita bread or on a plate and drizzle generously with the garlic sauce. Add fresh vegetables, pickled turnips, or a simple salad on the side.
Notes
- For a vegetarian alternative, substitute chicken with marinated mushrooms or tofu.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise or olive oil for a lighter, creamier sauce.
- Skinless chicken breasts reduce fat content for a healthier version.
- Adding grilled vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini boosts nutrition and flavor.
- Whole-wheat pita bread increases fiber intake when serving.
- Serving with pickled vegetables balances the richness of the garlic sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Chicken Shawarma, Garlic Sauce, Middle Eastern Recipe, Grilled Chicken, Shawarma Sauce
