Description
This easy and delicious Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce recipe offers a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring marinated, grilled chicken strips served with a creamy garlic sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a festive meal, this recipe is customizable with vegetarian substitutions and can be enjoyed with pita bread or fresh salads.
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, ground cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create a marinade. Add the chicken strips and ensure they are well coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop, or up to overnight for a deeper taste.
- Preheat Your Grill or Pan: Heat your grill or a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add a few drops of oil to the pan to prevent sticking and help the chicken brown evenly.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken strips on the grill or pan. Cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) for safety.
- Prepare the Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more garlic if a stronger flavor is desired.
- Assemble and Serve: Allow the cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes. Slice into bite-sized pieces if needed. Serve the chicken shawarma wrapped in pita bread or on a plate, drizzled generously with garlic sauce. Accompany with fresh vegetables, pickled turnips, or a simple salad to complete the meal.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the chicken with marinated mushrooms or tofu.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of olive oil in the marinade for a creamier texture.
- Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or silken tofu in the garlic sauce for a lighter version.
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the depth of flavor significantly.
- The garlic sauce can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated to let flavors meld.
- Serve with warm pita bread, fresh veggies, or pickled items like turnips for an authentic experience.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling/Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 170g cooked chicken with sauce)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Chicken Shawarma, Garlic Sauce, Middle Eastern Chicken, Grilled Chicken, Shawarma Recipe, Easy Dinner, Healthy Chicken Recipe
