Chicken Shawarma Wraps: Street Cart Magic at Home

Shawarma is the king of street food. This wrap is the crown.

Spiced, seared chicken. Tangy garlic sauce. Pickled turnips or cucumbers. Fresh parsley. All tucked into warm pita. 30 minutes. Better than the cart. Cheaper too.

Ingredients

Serves 4.

  • 1.5 lbs chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)
  • 4 large pitas or flatbreads
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • ½ red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup pickled turnips or cucumbers
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro

For the Shawarma Spice Blend:

  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • ½ tsp coriander
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp cayenne (optional)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice

For the Garlic Sauce (Toum):

  • ¼ cup mayo
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp Greek yogurt or sour cream

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

  1. Mix all spice blend ingredients in a bowl. Add chicken, toss to coat.
  2. Let sit 10 minutes (or up to 8 hours in fridge).

Step 2: Make Garlic Sauce

  1. Whisk mayo, garlic, lemon juice, and yogurt until smooth. Set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

  1. Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Cook chicken 5-7 minutes per side until charred and cooked through.
  3. Let rest 5 minutes. Slice into thin strips.

Step 4: Warm the Pita

  1. Warm pitas in a dry skillet or microwave for 15 seconds.

Step 5: Assemble Wraps

  1. Spread garlic sauce on each pita.
  2. Add sliced chicken, tomato, onion, pickled veggies, and parsley.
  3. Roll tightly. Wrap in foil if taking on the go.

Step 6: Serve

  1. Eat immediately. Napkins recommended. Happiness guaranteed.

Summary

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 10-15 minutes | Total Time: 25-30 minutes

Yield: 4 wraps

Difficulty: Easy

Storage Notes

Fridge:

Store chicken separately for 4 days. Assemble wraps fresh for best texture.

Reheat Chicken:

Skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Microwave works too.

Pro Tip:

Can’t find pickled turnips? Use quick-pickled red onions or cucumbers instead.

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