Authentic Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce

Overview

This homemade Chicken Shawarma recipe delivers bold, Middle Eastern flavors with minimal fuss. Juicy, marinated chicken is grilled or pan-seared to smoky perfection, then wrapped in warm pita with crisp vegetables, tangy pickles, and a luxuriously creamy garlic sauce known as toum. Whether you’re making a family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this dish is a satisfying, street-food-inspired favorite.

Servings: 4–6
Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus marinating time)
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: ~30 minutes active (plus 2–12 hours marinating)

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 1 kg boneless chicken thighs or breasts
• 4 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil (or any neutral oil)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground paprika
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Garlic Sauce (Toum):