Chicken Shawarma Garlic Sauce (Print Version)
Marinated chicken paired with tangy garlic sauce, fresh veggies, and warm pita for a flavorful Middle Eastern meal.
# Ingredients:
→ Chicken Marinade
01 -
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 -
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
03 -
3 tablespoons olive oil
04 -
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
05 -
6 garlic cloves, minced
06 -
2 teaspoons ground cumin
07 -
2 teaspoons ground coriander
08 -
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
09 -
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 -
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
11 -
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 -
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
13 -
1 teaspoon kosher salt
14 -
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Garlic Sauce (Toum)
15 -
1 cup garlic cloves, peeled
16 -
1 teaspoon kosher salt
17 -
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
18 -
1 cup neutral oil
19 -
2 tablespoons ice water
→ For Serving
20 -
Warm pita bread
21 -
Tomatoes, sliced
22 -
Cucumbers, sliced
23 -
Shredded lettuce
24 -
Pickled turnips
25 -
Fresh parsley
# Steps:
01 -
In a large bowl, combine Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, cardamom, smoked paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until homogenous.
02 -
Add chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight for maximum flavor development.
03 -
Place garlic cloves and kosher salt in a food processor. Blend until finely minced. With the machine running, gradually drizzle in a small portion of neutral oil, followed by a little lemon juice. Alternate adding oil and lemon juice in slow increments. Once fully incorporated, add ice water and blend until sauce is thick and fluffy.
04 -
Heat a skillet or grill pan over high heat. Remove excess marinade from the chicken and place pieces onto the hot surface. Sear until well browned and lightly charred on the edges, turning as needed. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer chicken to a plate, allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
05 -
Warm pita bread. Fill each pita with sliced chicken, tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded lettuce, pickled turnips, and parsley. Finish with a generous spoonful of garlic sauce. Serve immediately.
# Notes:
01 -
Marinating the chicken overnight intensifies the spices and results in more tender meat. Allow the garlic sauce to rest in the refrigerator for an hour before serving to mellow its sharpness.