Top 5 Tips for Perfect Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce Recipe
Learn how to make the perfect chicken shawarma with a flavorful marinade and a creamy garlic sauce. Juicy, aromatic chicken thighs are marinated in a blend of spices and grilled or roasted to perfection, then served with a tangy garlic yogurt sauce that balances the richness for a delicious Middle Eastern-inspired dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes to 8 hours 40 minutes (including marinating time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
Garlic Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 4 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare Marinade: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, coriander, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Whisk the ingredients together until fully incorporated to create the marinade.
- Marinate Chicken: Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the marinade bowl and toss thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour; for best results, marinate up to 8 hours to allow the spices to deeply infuse and tenderize the meat.
- Cook Chicken: Preheat a grill pan or oven to medium-high heat. If using the grill pan, cook the chicken thighs for 5–6 minutes on each side, ensuring they are well browned and cooked through. If opting for the oven, roast chicken at 425°F (220°C) for 25–30 minutes, flipping once halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Rest and Slice: Once cooked, remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat moist. Then slice the chicken into thin strips for serving.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight will yield the most flavorful and tender results.
- You can use boneless chicken breasts instead of thighs, but thighs remain juicier and more forgiving during cooking.
- If you do not have a grill pan, an oven roasting method works just as well.
- The garlic sauce can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Serve shawarma in pita bread or with rice and salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: chicken shawarma, garlic sauce, grilled chicken, Middle Eastern recipe, chicken marinade, shawarma recipe
