Description
Juicy, spiced chicken wrapped in warm pita with creamy garlic sauce and crispy fries—this chicken shawarma wrap recipe brings real Middle Eastern flavor right to your kitchen.
Ingredients
(For the Marinade)
- 1 pound of chicken breast, skinless and boneless, sliced into bite-sized strips (You can also use boneless chicken thighs for a juicier result)
- 5 to 7 garlic cloves, peeled, crushed, and finely minced
- 1 quarter teaspoon garlic powder
- Half a teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom (Or use 5 whole green cardamoms if marinating for longer than 6 hours)
- Half a teaspoon ground cinnamon (Or 1 two-inch cinnamon stick if marinating over 6 hours)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Half a tablespoon paprika
- Half a cup plain yogurt (Greek yogurt works too, just thin it with a little lemon juice or water)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (Lime juice also works)
- Half a teaspoon salt (Adjust to taste)
- One quarter teaspoon black pepper (Also to taste)
(For the Sauce)
- 3 to 4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed to a smooth paste
- A pinch of salt (Add when crushing the garlic)
- Two-thirds cup Greek yogurt (Plain yogurt can be used as a substitute)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (Or lime juice)
(Other Ingredients)
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil for cooking the chicken
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- 200 grams frozen French fries, cooked as directed
- 4 medium pita breads (Other soft flatbreads can also be used)
Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken: Start by cutting the chicken breast into small strips and place them in a large bowl. Add the garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, oregano, paprika, yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything well, making sure each piece is coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours, but overnight (or up to 24 hours) is best for flavor.
2. Make the Garlic Sauce: On a cutting board, smash the garlic cloves with the side of a knife. Sprinkle with salt and continue mashing until a smooth paste forms. Transfer the garlic paste to a bowl. Add the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Mix until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to blend.
3. Cook the Chicken: Cook the French fries according to package instructions. Remove the garlic sauce from the fridge to come to room temperature. Choose your preferred method to cook the chicken:
4. In a Skillet: Heat oil in a large pan over medium-low heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook undisturbed for 6-7 minutes, until the liquid evaporates and a crust forms. Flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes until browned.
5. On the Grill: Preheat grill to medium-high (400°F / 200°C). Place chicken on the grates and grill for 5-7 minutes per side, until charred and cooked through.
6. In the Oven: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread chicken on a lined baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until cooked through and browned.
7. In the Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange chicken in a single layer and cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked through.
8. Once cooked, remove the chicken and let it rest.
9. Assemble the Wraps: Warm each pita bread in a pan for 1-2 minutes per side. To assemble, lay a warm pita flat and spread with garlic sauce. Add a line of chicken and a handful of fries. Fold the bottom edge up snugly over the filling, fold one side over the center, then roll tightly. Serve immediately.
Notes
For best flavor, marinate overnight and let the garlic sauce chill for at least 4 hours. Don’t overfill the wraps to keep them easy to roll and eat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grill, Pan-Fry, Air Fryer, Oven
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wrap
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg