Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner
Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the marinade for crispy, juicy chicken shawarma. The secret? A warm, cozy blend of spices that’ll make your kitchen smell amazing. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Keto Beef Crunchwraps with Cheesy Sauce and Korean BBQ Steak Rice Bowls with Spicy Cream Sauce.
Why This Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Better than takeout, with a warm, cozy flavor
- Perfect for meal prepping and feeding a crowd
What You'll Need for Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Optional: Pita bread
- Optional: Lettuce
- Optional: Tomatoes
- Optional: Red onions
- Optional: Tahini sauce
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: You can also use chicken thighs.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time. → See on Amazon
- Grill pan — Achieve beautiful grill marks at home. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner
- Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices. Add chicken, coat well, and marinate for at least 2 hours.
- Grill the chicken: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Make the garlic sauce: Blend yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and salt until smooth. Serve with chicken shawarma.
- Serve: Slice grilled chicken, serve on pita bread with garlic sauce and desired toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.
- Pro tip: To make it spicy, add more cayenne pepper to the marinade.
Storing & Reheating Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead.
Freezing Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner
Freeze uncooked chicken in marinade for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: To make it gluten-free, serve on lettuce wraps instead of pita bread.
- Best substitution: Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for more flavor.
- Make-ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If chicken is sticking to the grill, make sure it's hot enough and well-oiled.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality pita bread — Makes a huge difference in your shawarma experience. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Pita bread
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Red onions
- Tahini sauce
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices. Add chicken, coat well, and marinate for at least 2 hours.
- Grill the chicken: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Make the garlic sauce: Blend yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and salt until smooth. Serve with chicken shawarma.
- Serve: Slice grilled chicken, serve on pita bread with garlic sauce and desired toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: To make it gluten-free, serve on lettuce wraps instead of pita bread.
- Best substitution: Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for more flavor.
- Make-ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If chicken is sticking to the grill, make sure it's hot enough and well-oiled.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked chicken in marinade for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 42g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 110mg
- Sat. Fat: 3.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner FAQs
Yes, marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Cooked chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Overcooking is the most common reason. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) but not more.
Yes, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
Shawarma is marinated in yogurt and spices, while gyro is typically made with lamb and has a different spice profile.
Yes, freeze uncooked chicken in marinade for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
