Easy Homemade Chicken Shawarma Pitas – Authentic Flavor!
Bring the vibrant, aromatic flavors of the Middle East right into your kitchen with these Chicken Shawarma Pitas. Enjoy perfectly spiced, tender chicken stuffed into warm pita bread with fresh toppings and creamy garlic sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4–6 cloves of minced fresh garlic
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Soft pita breads
- Garlic sauce (Toum)
- Tahini sauce
- Diced tomatoes
- Crisp shredded lettuce
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Pickled turnips or cucumbers
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, turmeric, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Slice the chicken thighs into thin, bite-sized strips or 1/2-inch thick pieces. Add the chicken to the marinade, tossing until thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally 4-8 hours.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through and golden brown. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Prepare your sauces and chop fresh vegetables while the chicken is cooking. Shred lettuce, dice tomatoes, and slice red onion. Have pickled turnips or cucumbers ready.
- Warm the pita breads in a dry skillet, microwave, or grill until soft and pliable.
- Open each warm pita to create a pocket. Spread garlic toum inside, drizzle with tahini sauce, fill with cooked chicken shawarma, and top with lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and pickled vegetables. Fold or wrap the pita and serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pita
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours for best flavor. Don't overcrowd the pan while cooking to achieve crispy edges. Homemade garlic toum is recommended for an authentic taste.