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Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce

Quick Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Sauce

This recipe provides a quick and easy way to prepare delicious chicken shawarma at home, complete with a creamy garlic sauce. Perfect for a weeknight meal, it delivers authentic flavors in just a few simple steps.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

  • large skillet or cast-iron pan
  • food processor

Ingredients
  

Chicken Shawarma

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 2 tbsp shawarma seasoning
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Garlic Sauce (Toum)

  • 6-8 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.75 cup vegetable oil (or other neutral oil)
  • 2 tbsp ice water

For Serving

  • pita bread or wraps
  • sliced tomatoes
  • sliced cucumbers
  • pickles
  • fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions
 

Prepare the Chicken

  • Slice the chicken into thin strips and marinate with shawarma seasoning, olive oil, and lemon juice for at least 15 minutes.
  • Heat a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

Make the Garlic Sauce (Toum)

  • In a food processor, blend garlic, lemon juice, and salt until smooth.
  • With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the oil in a thin stream, alternating with small amounts of ice water, until the sauce is thick and emulsified.
  • Continue blending until you achieve a thick, fluffy, and white garlic sauce.

Assemble the Shawarma

  • Warm the pita bread or wraps and spread a generous amount of garlic sauce on each.
  • Fill with the cooked chicken, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickles.
  • Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken marinade. The garlic sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.