Name: Homemade Chicken Shawarma
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tbsp lemon juice; 3 tbsp olive oil; 2 tsp ground coriander; 2 tsp ground cumin; 2 tsp paprika; 2 tsp salt; 1 tsp ground allspice; ¼ tsp ground black pepper; 1 ½ cups plain yogurt; 2 tbsp mayonnaise; 1 tbsp Sriracha sauce (adjust to taste); 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; Salt and pepper to taste; 8 pieces pita bread; 3 cups shredded lettuce; 4 tomatoes, sliced; 1 red onion, thinly sliced; Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Description

This Homemade Chicken Shawarma recipe brings Middle Eastern flavors to your kitchen with juicy grilled chicken, a tangy yogurt sauce, and fresh vegetables in soft pita bread. Perfect for a quick, customizable, and healthy dinner, this recipe will satisfy your cravings for an authentic shawarma experience.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp lemon juice
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground allspice
¼ tsp ground black pepper

For the Sauce:

1 ½ cups plain yogurt
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp Sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Shawarma:

8 pieces pita bread
3 cups shredded lettuce
4 tomatoes, sliced
1 red onion, thinly sliced
Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

Marinate the Chicken:
In a bowl, combine minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, ground coriander, cumin, paprika, salt, allspice, and black pepper. Add the chicken and coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight for best results.
Prepare the Sauce:
In another bowl, mix yogurt, mayonnaise, Sriracha, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper, then refrigerate until ready to use.
Grill the Chicken:
Preheat the grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing it into strips.
Assemble the Shawarma:
Warm the pita bread. Spread the yogurt sauce on each pita, then top with grilled chicken, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, red onion, and fresh cilantro.
Serve:
Serve immediately, either wrapped or open-faced.

Notes

For a lighter version, swap out the pita for whole wheat and make a yogurt-based sauce without mayonnaise.
Feel free to add more veggies, like cucumbers, bell peppers, or olives, for extra crunch.
To make it spicier, increase the amount of Sriracha or add cayenne pepper to the marinade.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner, Middle Eastern
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: Middle Eastern