Description
Bold, juicy, and packed with warm Middle Eastern spices, this Chicken Shawarma with Yogurt Sauce is a quick dinner idea that feels like a trip to your favorite food truck. Wrapped in soft pita and finished with a cool garlic yogurt sauce, it’s one of those easy recipes that impress every time. Whether you’re looking for healthy dinner ideas, meal prep options, or flavor-packed food ideas, this dish covers it all.
Ingredients
1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
4 garlic cloves minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 garlic clove grated
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Pinch of salt
Pita bread for serving
Chopped cucumbers tomatoes red onion and parsley for toppings
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
2. Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
3. Make the yogurt sauce by mixing Greek yogurt, grated garlic, lemon juice, and salt. Chill in the fridge until ready to use.
4. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the marinated chicken until cooked through and slightly charred, about 5-7 minutes per side.
5. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
6. Warm the pita bread, then assemble wraps with chicken, yogurt sauce, and desired toppings like cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and parsley.
Notes
For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken overnight in the fridge.
Use full-fat Greek yogurt for a creamier, richer sauce.
Grating the garlic into the yogurt sauce gives a smoother texture and deeper garlic flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wrap
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: chicken shawarma, shawarma wrap, easy dinner, healthy dinner, yogurt sauce, Mediterranean chicken, meal prep