Description
This recipe for Chicken Shawarma with Creamy Garlic Sauce features tender, spiced chicken grilled to perfection and served with a rich, creamy garlic sauce. It’s a flavorful and satisfying dish perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt (for marinating)
- For the Creamy Garlic Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, combine minced garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, chili powder, cinnamon, salt, pepper, olive oil, lemon juice, and yogurt. Mix until well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the marinade. Ensure each piece is generously coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for better flavor infusion.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If using an oven, set it to broil.
- Cook the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on the grill. Cook for about 6-8 minutes on each side or until fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F). If using the oven, place chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet and broil for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Rest the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill/oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes.
- Slice the Chicken: Thinly slice the chicken against the grain for maximum tenderness.
- Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt until smooth.
- Serve: You can serve immediately or allow the flavors to meld for a few minutes.
Notes
- Use fresh, organic, boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the best flavor.
- Allow the garlic sauce to chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavors.
- Serve with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for added flavor and visual appeal.
- If using a charcoal grill, allow it to ash over for better heat distribution. Gas grills should be preheated for best results.
- For a spicy version, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the marinade.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken with grilled eggplant, zucchini, or mushrooms.
- Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- The creamy garlic sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling/Broiling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-6 servings
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Fat: 25g
- Protein: 30g