Can I prepare shawarma chicken early?

Totally! Marinate the chicken up to a day ahead. You can cook it earlier too, then warm it up when serving. The garlic sauce holds well in the fridge for three to four days.

What sides go best with shawarma chicken?

It’s great with hummus, tabbouleh, pickled veggies, or a simple cucumber-tomato salad. Some folks also love serving it alongside fries, which is common in many places!

Can chicken breasts replace chicken thighs?

For sure! While thighs stay moister, breasts work just fine—just make sure to cook them carefully so they don’t dry out.

How can I make a sauce without dairy?

No problem! Swap in dairy-free yogurt or make a tahini-based sauce by mixing sesame paste with garlic, lemon juice, and water.

What’s the secret to that authentic shawarma taste?

It’s all about the spices and giving it plenty of marinating time. Try to marinate overnight and don’t skip spices. A touch of cardamom or allspice adds extra magic.

Flavorful Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce

Category: Meals for Every Occasion

Season and marinate chicken in spiced mix, cook until golden, stir up a yogurt-mayo garlic sauce, then wrap in pita with toppings of your choice.

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By Ana

Updated on Wed, 25 Jun 2025 17:26:43 GMT

Tasty Chicken Shawarma with Creamy Garlic Sauce | homebitesbyana.com

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I prepare shawarma chicken early?: Totally! Marinate the chicken up to a day ahead. You can cook it earlier too, then warm it up when serving. The garlic sauce holds well in the fridge for three to four days.
→ What sides go best with shawarma chicken?: It’s great with hummus, tabbouleh, pickled veggies, or a simple cucumber-tomato salad. Some folks also love serving it alongside fries, which is common in many places!
→ Can chicken breasts replace chicken thighs?: For sure! While thighs stay moister, breasts work just fine—just make sure to cook them carefully so they don’t dry out.
→ How can I make a sauce without dairy?: No problem! Swap in dairy-free yogurt or make a tahini-based sauce by mixing sesame paste with garlic, lemon juice, and water.
→ What’s the secret to that authentic shawarma taste?: It’s all about the spices and giving it plenty of marinating time. Try to marinate overnight and don’t skip spices. A touch of cardamom or allspice adds extra magic.

Tasty Chicken Wrap

Tender spiced chicken tucked into warm pita and topped with a creamy garlic-yogurt sauce. It's a simple yet satisfying classic from the Middle East.

Prep Time

15 min

Cooking Time

15 min

Total Time

30 min

By: Ana

Category: Lunch & Dinner

Skill Level: Intermediate

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Yields: 4 Servings

Dietary Preferences: Low-Carb

Ingredients

→ Chicken Shawarma Mixture

01 2 lb chicken thighs, no skin or bones

02 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

03 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

04 1 tsp turmeric powder

05 1 tsp cinnamon

06 3 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin)

07 2 tsp smokey paprika

08 2 tsp cumin

09 Salt and black pepper to your liking

→ Creamy Garlic Dipping

10 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

11 2 tbsp mayonnaise

12 1 tbsp juice from a lemon

13 A dash of salt and black pepper

14 1/2 cup thick Greek-style yogurt

Steps

Step 01

Combine olive oil, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Toss the chicken thighs in until they're coated all over. Cover it up and stick it in the fridge for at least 60 minutes (overnight gives an even better taste).

Step 02

Fire up your pan, grill, or oven. Cook the chicken until it's done all the way through and has a crisp charred surface. Let it cool for a few minutes before thinly slicing.

Step 03

Mix yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a little bowl. Keep stirring until it's velvety smooth.

Step 04

Heat the pita bread and stuff it with chicken slices. Add your favorite fresh veggies, pour over the garlic sauce as generously as you like, and roll it up snugly.