Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Spread

  • Category main

  • Servings 4-6

  • Prep Time 25 minutes (plus marinating time)

  • Cook Time 10–15 minutes

Placeholder Image

Ingredients

Chicken & Marinade

  • 1 kg (2 lbs) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • Pinch of black pepper

Tahini Sauce

  • ½ cup tahini paste
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • ½ tsp fine sea salt
  • ¼ cup water

To Serve

  • Pita bread
  • Garlic spread (Toom)
  • French fries
  • Lettuce, chopped
  • Tomato, chopped
  • Pickles, sliced
  • ½ red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tsp sumac

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken

  • Slice the chicken thighs into thin strips or bite-sized pieces.
  • In a large bowl, combine all marinade ingredients. Add chicken and coat thoroughly.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight (up to 24 hours).

Cook the Chicken

  • Heat 1–2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the marinated chicken and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and lightly charred.

Prepare the Fillings

  • Lettuce & Tomato: Chop and season lightly with salt.
  • French Fries: Deep-fry or bake until golden and crispy.
  • Red Onion: Toss thinly sliced onion with sumac.
  • Tahini Sauce: In a bowl, whisk tahini paste with garlic, lemon juice, salt, and water until smooth. Adjust consistency with more water if needed.

Assemble the Wraps

  • Lay out a pita bread. Spread 1–2 tbsp of garlic spread.
  • Add 5–8 pieces of chicken, salad mix, fries, pickles, onions, and a drizzle of tahini sauce.
  • Wrap tightly.

Grill the Wraps

  • Lightly spray the wrap with oil. Grill on a hot skillet or panini press for 1 minute per side until golden and crisp.

Serve

  • Slice each wrap into quarters. Serve in a bowl or platter. Enjoy hot!

Recipe Video

Email Me This Recipe

Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!