Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Shawarma Sauce:
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons tahini paste
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt to taste
For Serving:
- Pita bread or flatbread
- Sliced tomatoes
- Sliced cucumbers
- Sliced onions
- Chopped lettuce
- Pickles (optional)
- Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, coriander, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
- Add the thinly sliced chicken to the marinade and toss until the chicken is well coated. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
2. Prepare the Shawarma Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, tahini paste, lemon juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, and salt until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
3. Cook the Chicken:
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil.
- Once the pan is hot, add the marinated chicken slices in a single layer. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred.
- Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set aside.
4. Assemble the Shawarma:
- Warm the pita bread or flatbread in the oven or on a skillet.
- Spread a generous amount of the shawarma sauce on each pita bread.
- Top with the cooked chicken slices, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, lettuce, pickles, and a drizzle of hot sauce if desired.
5. Serve:
- Roll up the pita bread tightly, enclosing the filling.
- Cut each shawarma wrap in half diagonally and serve immediately.
Enjoy your homemade shawarma! Feel free to customize the toppings and adjust the seasoning according to your preference.