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Middle Eastern Chicken Shawarma with Yogurt Sauce Recipe

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3.9 from 89 reviews

This authentic Middle Eastern Chicken Shawarma recipe features tender, marinated chicken thigh fillets infused with warm spices, cooked to perfection on a grill or stovetop for delicious caramelization. Served with a creamy yogurt sauce, fresh salad, and soft flatbreads, it’s perfect for casual gatherings where guests can assemble their own wraps.

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 - 5 servings

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 1 kg / 2 lb chicken thigh fillets, skinless and boneless

Marinade

  • 1 large garlic clove, minced (or 2 small cloves)
  • 1 tbsp ground coriander
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp ground cardamom
  • 1 tsp ground cayenne pepper (reduce to 1/2 tsp to make it not spicy)
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp salt
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp olive oil

Yogurt Sauce

  • 1 cup Greek yoghurt
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Squeeze of lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

To Serve

  • 4 - 5 flatbreads (Lebanese, pita, or homemade soft flatbreads)
  • Sliced lettuce (cos or iceberg)
  • Tomato slices
  • Red onion, finely sliced
  • Cheese, shredded (optional)
  • Hot sauce of choice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare marinade: In a large ziplock bag, combine the minced garlic, ground coriander, ground cumin, ground cardamom, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil. Mix well to create the marinade.
  2. Marinate chicken: Add the chicken thigh fillets to the marinade bag, seal tightly and massage from outside to coat each piece completely. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, preferably 24 hours. For convenience, the chicken can be frozen in the marinade and defrosted prior to cooking.
  3. Prepare yogurt sauce: In a bowl, mix Greek yoghurt, crushed garlic, cumin, a squeeze of lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until needed. This sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  4. Preheat cooking surface: Heat a large non-stick skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon of oil, or oil a BBQ hotplate or grill. Make sure the surface is hot to achieve good caramelization.
  5. Cook chicken: Place the marinated chicken pieces on the hot skillet or grill. Cook the first side for 4 to 5 minutes until nicely charred and caramelized. Flip the chicken and cook the other side for 3 to 4 minutes, ensuring it’s cooked through but still juicy.
  6. Rest chicken: Remove the chicken from heat and loosely cover it with foil. Let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute for moist results.
  7. Assemble and serve: Slice the rested chicken thinly and arrange on a platter alongside flatbreads, sliced lettuce, tomato, red onion, optional cheese, and the prepared yogurt sauce. Invite everyone to build their own wraps by spreading yogurt sauce on flatbread, adding salad and chicken, then rolling it up.

Notes

  • MAKE AHEAD: Marinate and freeze the chicken immediately for convenient frozen meals. As it defrosts, it marinates effectively.
  • Large Lebanese flatbreads (~30cm diameter) require about 300g raw chicken per person for generous wraps. For average portions, 200-250g per person suffices.
  • Using chicken breast instead of thigh is possible but requires thinning and shorter cooking time for best results; thighs provide more flavor and caramelization due to higher fat content.
  • Excellent side dishes include Middle Eastern lentil rice (Mejadra), chickpea rice pilaf, or a simple Middle Eastern chickpea salad.
  • BAKING OPTION: If a BBQ or stovetop is unavailable, bake at 425°F/220°C for 20-25 minutes until browned, though caramelization won’t be as intense.
  • Nutrition info applies to chicken only; flatbread calories vary widely.
  • Author: Amelia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Chicken
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Arabic, Middle Eastern, Moroccan