I know how challenging it can be to get a truly delicious and hearty dinner on the table during a busy week. That’s why I’m excited to share this Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Yogurt, packed with warm, aromatic spices and a creamy, cooling sauce that fills your kitchen with amazing aromas. It’s a fantastic, family-friendly solution for busy families and budget-conscious cooks looking for big flavors without the fuss. You’ll be able to whip up a satisfying meal that tastes like your favorite takeout, right in your own kitchen, any night of the week.
Ingredient Spotlight and Why They Matter
Gathering the right components is key to a truly flavorful Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Yogurt. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken Thighs: 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless, cut into ½-inch strips. Juicy, flavorful, and perfect for holding marinade. (Chicken breast works too, but thighs stay moister).
- Olive Oil: 3 tbsp (45ml). Helps the spices adhere and creates a lovely sear.
- Shawarma Spice Blend: 3 tbsp (45g). A warming mix of cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and a pinch of cinnamon for authentic flavor.
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced (1 for marinade, 2 for sauce). Essential for both the savory chicken and the bright, creamy yogurt sauce.
- Lemon Juice: 2 tbsp (30ml). Adds a crucial tang and brightness to both the marinade and the sauce.
- Plain Yogurt: 1 cup (240g), Greek or regular. The creamy base for our cooling garlic sauce. (Greek yogurt offers a higher protein, thicker sauce; regular is fine if that’s what’s in your fridge).
- Fresh Parsley (optional): 1 tbsp, chopped. For a burst of fresh herb flavor in the sauce.
- Salt & Pepper: To taste. Enhances all the other flavors.
- Pita Bread or Wraps: 4-6 pieces. Soft pockets for serving and soaking up delicious juices.
For a healthy boost, consider organic chicken and load up on fresh cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion for a lighter, low-carb meal. Most of these spices are likely pantry staples, making this an easy dinner idea any night of the week.
Easy Cooking Instructions for Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Yogurt
- Prep the Chicken: Slice 1.5 lbs chicken thighs into ½-inch strips. In a large bowl, toss with 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp shawarma spice blend, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 minced garlic cloves. This first step is crucial for building the foundational flavor of your Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Yogurt. Marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to overnight in the fridge for deeper flavor.
- Make the Garlic Yogurt Sauce: While the chicken marinates, whisk together 1 cup plain yogurt, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (if using), and salt/pepper to taste in a small bowl. The sauce should be smooth and creamy; chill it until serving so the flavors meld. This creamy sauce is what truly elevates any Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Yogurt to an unforgettable meal.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large 10-inch skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Cook chicken in a single layer (batches if needed to avoid overcrowding) for 5-7 minutes per side, until browned and 165°F. If it looks dry, add 1-2 Tbsp broth or water.
- Warm the Pita: Lightly warm pita bread: either toast in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes until soft, microwave for 15-20 seconds until pliable, or heat in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side until puffed. As you warm your pita, you’re just moments away from enjoying this incredible Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Yogurt.
- Assemble: Fill warm pita with a generous portion of the fragrant chicken, a dollop of the cool garlic yogurt, and your favorite toppings like diced tomatoes, cucumber, or shredded lettuce. This makes a hearty and quick dinner idea.
For a family-style meal, serve the cooked Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Yogurt allowing everyone to build their own wraps. For a lighter, healthy option, serve the chicken over greens or cauliflower rice, skipping the pita.
When I’m making this for my family, I often chop up a big bowl of fresh veggies for a vibrant build-your-own bar, letting everyone customize their meal.
Don’t overcrowd the pan; chicken won’t brown properly. Ensure chicken is cooked through but not dry (a meat thermometer helps!). And never skip marinating; it’s key for infusing amazing flavor into your Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Yogurt.
Everyday Uses and Make-Ahead Convenience
This delightful Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Yogurt fits perfectly into a variety of meal plans, from busy weeknights to casual gatherings. It’s an incredibly versatile dish for any family table.
Where this dish fits: family meals, gatherings, lunch boxes, weeknight dinners
- Family Meals: Create a fun, interactive dinner where everyone customizes their own wrap with favorite toppings.
- Gatherings: Serve it as a ‘build-your-own shawarma bar’ for guests, offering all the components separately.
- Lunch Boxes: Pack leftover cooked chicken and a small container of garlic yogurt sauce for a delicious, high-protein lunch.
- Weeknight Dinners: Quick to assemble, especially if the chicken is pre-marinated, making it one of my go-to quick dinner ideas.
Creative serving ideas: pairings, toppings, sides, beverages
- Toppings: Dice fresh tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Add shredded lettuce, a few pickles, or crumbled feta cheese.
- Sides: Enjoy with a fragrant rice pilaf, a fresh tabbouleh salad, roasted vegetables, creamy hummus, or extra warm pita.
- Pairings: A simple green salad or a hearty lentil soup complements the flavors wonderfully.
- Beverages: Serve with refreshing mint tea or sparkling water with lemon for a light contrast.
Make-ahead tips: batch cooking, storage, reheating, freezing
- Batch Cooking: Double the recipe for easy healthy meal prep, ensuring you have extra chicken for future meals.
- Storage: Store cooked chicken and the garlic yogurt separately in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Gently reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
- Freezing: Cooked chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition & Lifestyle Advantages of Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Yogurt
A truly balanced Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Yogurt is an excellent choice for a nutritious and satisfying meal, helping you meet various health and lifestyle goals. It’s a smart way to enjoy big flavors.
Tie the dish to wellness themes: energy, balance, weight support
This recipe provides a balanced meal with lean protein from the chicken, healthy fats from olive oil and yogurt, and customizable carbs and veggies. It offers sustained energy, supporting overall wellness and weight management when portioned appropriately.
Highlight common dietary patterns: keto, paleo, vegan, diabetic-friendly
- Low-Carb/Keto: Easily adapted by serving the chicken in crisp lettuce wraps with plenty of non-starchy vegetables, skipping the pita entirely.
- Paleo: Ensure all your spices are compliant and serve with suitable sides like roasted root vegetables or a large salad.
- Diabetic-Friendly: Focus on lean protein and load up on fresh, non-starchy vegetables to control carbohydrate intake.
- Vegan: Substitute chicken with chickpeas or firm tofu marinated in the same delicious spice blend for a plant-based option.
Include natural high-value phrases: healthy meal prep, quick dinner ideas, best protein snacks, gluten-free recipes
This dish excels as a healthy meal prep option for busy weeks, providing one of the best quick dinner ideas for flavorful results. Leftovers make fantastic high-protein snacks, and it’s easily converted into gluten-free recipes by using compliant wraps or serving over greens.
Why This Recipe Helps You Save Time and Money
Our Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Yogurt simplifies your cooking routine by offering minimal active cooking time and versatility for various meals. It’s a practical solution for delicious, family-friendly food.
Show how Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Yogurt simplifies cooking routines
- Minimal Active Cooking: Most of the work is in the marinating, leaving less hands-on time before dinner.
- One Pan Chicken: Cooking the chicken in a single skillet streamlines cleanup.
- Versatile Meals: Easily transform leftovers into salads, sandwiches, or rice bowls, reducing cooking fatigue.
Points on budget-friendliness, easy prep, and family appeal
Chicken thighs are an economical and flavorful protein choice. The core spices are pantry staples, keeping ingredient costs down. Its customizable nature ensures it appeals to diverse family preferences, making mealtime a breeze.
Short notes on using grocery delivery or meal kits for convenience
All ingredients are readily available at your local grocery store or through convenient grocery delivery services. This Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Yogurt integrates smoothly into any weekly meal plan, whether you shop in person or use a meal kit for other dinners.
Smart Tips, Adjustments, and Special Notes
Elevate your homemade shawarma experience with these simple tweaks and considerations, ensuring a perfect dish every time.
Upgrades for flavor and presentation
- For an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle a pinch of sumac or some fresh mint over the finished garlic yogurt.
- Garnish your platter with toasted pine nuts or a drizzle of good quality olive oil for added crunch and richness.
- Serve everything on a large platter with colorful, fresh vegetables arranged around the chicken for an appealing presentation.
Adjustments for spiciness, sweetness, or texture
- Spiciness: For a gentle kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of Aleppo pepper to the chicken marinade.
- Texture: To achieve extra crispy chicken edges, ensure your skillet is very hot and avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if needed.
- Creaminess: If your garlic yogurt sauce is too thick, thin it with a splash of water or a bit of milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
Safety and allergy-friendly tweaks for families
- Always ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- For allergy sufferers, clearly label ingredients or use separate serving spoons to avoid cross-contamination, especially with dairy in the yogurt.
- Offer nut-free toppings like extra vegetables or seeds if anyone in your family has nut allergies. I often keep a separate bowl of plain cucumber for my youngest who’s picky about sauces.
Common Questions About Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Yogurt
Q: Is Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Yogurt good for a low-carb diet?
A: Yes, absolutely! This Chicken Shawarma is easily adapted for a low-carb diet. Just serve the flavorful chicken in crisp lettuce cups with extra non-starchy vegetables instead of pita bread for a satisfying low-carb meal.
Q: Can I freeze Chicken Shawarma for meal prep?
A: Yes, you can freeze the cooked chicken component of this Chicken Shawarma Recipe. Cooked chicken shawarma freezes well for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently, but always prepare the garlic yogurt fresh.
Q: What are the best healthy sides to serve with Chicken Shawarma?
A: Excellent healthy side dish choices include a vibrant tabbouleh salad, a simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette, creamy hummus, or roasted cauliflower. These options complement the flavors without adding excessive calories.
Q: How long does homemade Chicken Shawarma last in the fridge?
A: Cooked chicken shawarma and the garlic yogurt sauce can be stored separately in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days. This makes it perfect for delicious and easy meal prep throughout the week.
Q: Can I make this Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Yogurt in an air fryer?
A: Yes, the chicken can be cooked in an air fryer! Arrange the marinated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until it’s cooked through and beautifully crispy.
Q: What kind of yogurt is best for the garlic sauce?
A: Full-fat plain Greek yogurt is recommended for the thickest, creamiest garlic yogurt sauce, offering a rich texture and tangy flavor. However, regular plain yogurt works perfectly well too for a slightly lighter consistency.
Conclusion
This easy Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Yogurt recipe is a flavor-packed, versatile dish that simplifies your cooking and truly delights your family. Give it a try for your next family dinner; it’s a guaranteed winner!
Save this healthy, family-friendly recipe to your Pinterest board for quick dinner ideas you’ll want to make again!
Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Yogurt
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Diet: General
Description
This Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Yogurt recipe offers a delicious and hearty dinner packed with aromatic spices and a creamy, cooling sauce. It’s a family-friendly, budget-conscious meal that tastes like your favorite takeout, made easily at home.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 0.5-inch strips
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp shawarma spice blend
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 for sauce, 2 for marinade)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup plain yogurt (Greek or regular)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for sauce)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4–6 pieces pita bread or wraps
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Slice 1.5 lbs chicken thighs into 0.5-inch strips. In a large bowl, toss with 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp shawarma spice blend, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to overnight in the fridge for deeper flavor.
- Make the Garlic Yogurt Sauce: While the chicken marinates, whisk together 1 cup plain yogurt, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (if using), and salt/pepper to taste in a small bowl. Chill until serving so the flavors meld.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large 10-inch skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Cook chicken in a single layer (in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding) for 5-7 minutes per side, until browned and 165°F (if it looks dry, add 1-2 Tbsp broth or water).
- Warm the Pita: Lightly warm pita bread by toasting in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes, microwaving for 15-20 seconds, or heating in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side.
- Assemble: Fill warm pita with a generous portion of the cooked chicken, a dollop of the cool garlic yogurt, and your favorite toppings like diced tomatoes, cucumber, or shredded lettuce.
Notes
To ensure proper browning, avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking the chicken. Always ensure the chicken is cooked through to 165°F but not dry; a meat thermometer is helpful. Marinating the chicken is crucial for infusing amazing flavor. For a lighter meal, serve the chicken over greens or cauliflower rice instead of pita. Consider organic chicken and add fresh cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion for a healthy boost.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wrap (approx. 200 g)
- Calories: 550 calories
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Chicken Shawarma, Garlic Yogurt, Weeknight Dinner, Takeout Style, Mediterranean, Family Friendly, Easy, Skillet, Marinade