Ingredients
– 1 kg (2 lb) boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets
– 1 large garlic clove, minced
– 1 tablespoon ground coriander
– 1 tablespoon ground cumin
– 1 tablespoon ground cardamom
– 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
– 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
– 2 teaspoons salt
– Black pepper to taste
– 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
– 3 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 cup Greek yogurt
– 1 garlic clove, crushed
– 1 teaspoon cumin
– Squeeze of lemon juice
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 4 to 5 Lebanese or pita breads or homemade soft flatbreads
– Sliced lettuce (cos or iceberg)
– Tomato slices
– Finely sliced red onion
– Shredded cheese (optional)
– Hot sauce of choice (optional)
Instructions
1-First, start by preparing the chicken. Trim any excess fat from the 1 kg of boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets and cut them into thin strips if you like. In a large ziplock bag, combine the marinade ingredients: 1 large minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon ground coriander, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 tablespoon ground cardamom, 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons salt, black pepper to taste, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, and 3 tablespoons olive oil. Add the chicken to the bag, seal it while squeezing out the air, and give it a good massage to coat everything evenly. Pop it in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours that’s how you get those deep, authentic flavors, though 3 hours works if you’re in a rush.
2-Next, whip up the yogurt sauce while the chicken marinates. Mix 1 cup Greek yogurt with 1 crushed garlic clove, 1 teaspoon cumin, a squeeze of lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and chill it for at least 20 minutes to let the flavors blend. This sauce adds a cool, creamy contrast to the spiced chicken and makes your meal feel complete. For more ideas on pairing sauces, you might check out our chicken shawarma wrap ideas on the blog.
3-Now, it’s time to cook. Heat a large non-stick skillet or BBQ grill to medium-high brush it with a bit of oil if needed. Cook the marinated chicken for 4 to 5 minutes on one side until it’s nicely charred, then flip and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken and let it rest for about 5 minutes under loose foil so the juices settle in. Finally, slice the chicken if you want and serve it on a platter with the flatbreads, salad fixings, and that yogurt sauce. Everyone can build their own wraps, making it a fun family activity. For grilling tips or variations, a quick look at our shawarma wrap recipes can add even more inspiration.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🍖 Use chicken thighs for juiciness and caramelization; substitute breasts thinly sliced for quicker cooking if preferred.
🌿 Cardamom brings an essential citrusy pine note that defines authentic shawarma flavor.
🔥 Adjust cayenne pepper to control spiciness; it’s optional and can be omitted if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Marinating time: 3-24 hours
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Marinating, Grilling, Pan-cooking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 275 kcal
- Sodium: 918 mg
- Fat: 16.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.1 g
- Protein: 32.9 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
