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Flavorful Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Easy Homemade Garlic Sauce

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A quick and easy chicken shawarma recipe featuring juicy marinated chicken thighs and a creamy homemade garlic sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon ground paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
  • 2 tablespoons plain yogurt or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • Warm pita bread or flatbread
  • Fresh chopped parsley or cilantro
  • Sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions
  • Optional: Pickles or hot sauce

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, ground cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Add lemon juice and minced garlic. Mix thoroughly.
  2. Add chicken thighs to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally 4-6 hours or overnight.
  3. Whisk together mayonnaise, minced garlic, yogurt, lemon juice, and salt in a small bowl. Stir in olive oil if using. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
  4. Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in a single layer for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
  5. Remove chicken and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice into thin strips.
  6. Warm pita or flatbread, spread garlic sauce, add sliced chicken and fresh veggies. Optionally add pickles or hot sauce. Serve immediately.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 1 hour for best flavor; longer marinating (4-6 hours or overnight) is ideal. Use chicken thighs for juiciness. Adjust cayenne pepper for heat preference. Garlic sauce can be thinned with water or lemon juice if too thick. Reheat chicken gently to avoid drying out.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken shawarma, garlic sauce, easy dinner, Middle Eastern recipe, chicken thighs, homemade sauce, quick meal

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/flavorful-chicken-shawarma-recipe-with-easy-homemade-garlic-sauce/