Chicken Shawarma Pita with Tahini Garlic Sauce

Name: Chicken Shawarma Pita with Tahini Garlic Sauce
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless (skinless chicken breasts - cut in 2 in cubes); 1 juice of lemon; 1/2 cup plain low fat yogurt; 1/4 cup fresh parsley (minced); 3 cloves garlic (grated); 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon allspice; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/8 teaspoon cayenne; 2 tablespoons tahini; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 tablespoons warm water; 1 clove garlic (grated); salt and pepper to taste; 4 pitas; slices lettuce (tomato and red onion to serve)

JUMP TO RECIPE

A quick and easy chicken shawarma marinade – lemon and yogurt tenderize the lean chicken breasts while fresh garlic, parsley, and spices add tons of flavor. Served on pita bread with a tahini garlic sauce.

Chicken shawarma pita with tahini garlic sauce.

My maternal grandparents emigrated from Syria and settled in West Michigan, so although I grew up eating Middle Eastern food, there are only a handful of Lebanese restaurants on this side of the state. As such, I grew up learning from my mother and grandmother how to make and perfect Lebanese recipes. This Chicken Shawarma Pita with Tahini Garlic Sauce is a result of my family’s culture and my childhood. We decided to wrap it into a pita with our favorite tahini garlic sauce, but it is great on its own served with rice pilaf and a green salad as well!

Ingredients

For the Shawarma marinade: lemon juice, plain yogurt, parsley, garlic, salt, allspice, cinnamon, and cayenne.
For the sauce: tahini, lemon juice, garlic, warm water, salt and pepper.
For the wrap: pita, chicken shawarma, tahini garlic sauce, with any combo of lettuce, tomato, bell pepper, and red onion.

How to Make Chicken Shawarma Pita with Tahini Garlic Sauce

Start your Chicken Shawarma Pita with Tahini Garlic Sauce by making the shawarma marinade.

Add the plain yogurt to a medium sized bowl with the cinnamon, allspice, and cayenne.

Followed by freshly grated garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a touch of salt.

Add some freshly minced parsley and stir until a creamy sauce is formed.

Add cubed chicken to the marinade and mix until evenly coated. Let marinade in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, but preferably overnight.

Then set the chicken out on a prepared baking sheet and broil in the oven for 4-5 minutes on high, or throw it on the grill (my preferred method).

While the chicken is marinating or cooking, make the tahini garlic sauce. Pour tahini into a small bowl.

Add lemon juice, grated garlic, and a touch of salt and pepper.

Slowly stir in warm water until you’ve reached desired consistency.

Now you’re ready to assemble the Chicken Shawarma Pita with Tahini Garlic Sauce. Start by spreading the sauce onto some pita.

Follow with the chicken shawarma, and desired toppings of lettuce, tomato, onion, or bell pepper.

Liz grabbing chicken shawarma pita with tahini garlic sauce.

Wrap it all up, and enjoy this delicious lunch or dinner!

Easy Substitutions

Make it vegetarian. Instead of chicken, use chickpeas! Or tofu, or vegan “chicken.”
No dairy? No problem. Luckily this meal already has very little dairy, but you can replace the yogurt with coconut yogurt, or a bit less conventional, apple sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do you tenderize lean chicken breasts?

Plain yogurt is a healthy way to tenderize lean chicken breasts while also adding an addictive tanginess. Plain yogurt is also packed with protein as well as magnesium and potassium.

What else can I use the Tahini Garlic sauce with?

It tastes great on white fish or drizzled over roasted potatoes.

How do I store leftover chicken shawarma?

Kept in an airtight container, it’ll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.

More Lebanese Delights

Did you try this Lebanese dish and love it? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your meal.

Liz eating chicken shawarma pita with tahini garlic sauce.

This Chicken Shawarma Pita with Tahini Garlic Sauce is not only easy and delicious, but brings with it a sense of home and comfort (at least for me). I love it, my husband loves it, my kids love it, and I know you will, too.

No fork required.