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, flavorful chicken. The garlic sauce is the perfect creamy finish. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Mediterranean Grilled Halloumi Skewers with Herb Sauce and Creamy Tomato Soup Recipe Ready in Under 40 Minutes.

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 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• Optional: chopped fresh parsley
• Optional: diced tomatoes
• Optional: red onion slices
• Optional: crumbled feta cheese
• Optional: pita bread

How to Make Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner

1. Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and turmeric. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
2. Prepare the garlic sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Cook the chicken: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 6-7 minutes per side or until cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
4. Assemble the shawarma: Serve sliced chicken on pita bread with your choice of toppings and garlic sauce for dipping.

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 in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Prepare garlic sauce up to 3 days ahead.

Freezing Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner

Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. May make chicken soggy.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicy version, add 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper to the marinade.
• Best substitution: Substitute chicken thighs for boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
• Make-ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Prepare garlic sauce up to 3 days ahead.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If chicken is sticking to the grill, try using a grill pan or adding a little oil to the grill.

Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce for Dinner

⏱

Prep

10 mins

🍳

Cook

15 mins

⏳

Total

2 hrs 30 mins

🍽

Serves

4 servings

🥗

Diet

Low Carb

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp turmeric

Seasonings

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Optional Toppings

• chopped fresh parsley
• diced tomatoes
• red onion slices
• crumbled feta cheese
• pita bread

Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and turmeric. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
2. Prepare the garlic sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Cook the chicken: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 6-7 minutes per side or until cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
4. Assemble the shawarma: Serve sliced chicken on pita bread with your choice of toppings and garlic sauce for dipping.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicy version, add 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper to the marinade.
• Best substitution: Substitute chicken thighs for boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
• Make-ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Prepare garlic sauce up to 3 days ahead.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If chicken is sticking to the grill, try using a grill pan or adding a little oil to the grill.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. May make chicken soggy.
• Make ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Prepare garlic sauce up to 3 days ahead.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 480
• Protein: 45g
• Fat: 28g
• Carbs: 12g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Cholesterol: 120mg
• Sat. Fat: 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

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!