Description
This recipe features a delicious and hearty chicken shawarma sandwich, combining marinated and spiced chicken with fresh vegetables and tangy sauces, all wrapped in warm pita bread. Perfect for a quick lunch or satisfying dinner, this recipe offers a flavorful Middle Eastern experience right at home.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade
- 500g boneless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Sandwich Assembly
- 4 pita breads or flatbreads
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 medium tomato, sliced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- 1/2 cup tahini sauce or garlic sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Marinade: In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the thinly sliced chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to develop.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of oil if needed, then cook the marinated chicken slices for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until fully cooked and slightly charred. Remove from heat and let rest.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the chicken is cooking, wash and prepare the lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and red onion. Slice them thinly for easy sandwich assembly.
- Warm the Pita Breads: Lightly warm the pita breads in a dry pan or microwave to make them soft and pliable for wrapping.
- Assemble the Shawarma Sandwich: Spread a generous amount of tahini or garlic sauce on each pita. Layer with cooked chicken slices, then top with shredded lettuce, cucumber slices, tomato slices, and red onion. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired.
- Serve and Enjoy: Fold or roll the pita bread tightly around the filling. Serve immediately while warm for the best taste.
Notes
- Marinating overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness of the chicken.
- If you prefer, you can grill the chicken instead of pan-frying for an authentic smoky flavor.
- Adjust spice levels according to your taste by increasing or decreasing paprika and chili powder if desired.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flatbreads or lettuce wraps.
- Additional toppings like pickles, hot sauce, or hummus can be added for variety.