Chicken Shawarma Wrap Recipe
If you have a craving for something wildly flavorful yet incredibly comforting, the Chicken Shawarma Wrap is an absolute must-try. This iconic Middle Eastern street food brings together tender, spiced chicken thighs, tangy garlic yogurt sauce, and zesty sumac onions all wrapped up in soft lavash or flatbread. Every bite bursts with layers of smoky, savory, and refreshingly bright flavors that will make your taste buds dance. Whether it’s a quick lunch or a crowd-pleasing dinner, this Chicken Shawarma Wrap recipe hits all the right notes with its perfect balance of spices, textures, and freshness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Putting together this Chicken Shawarma Wrap is delightfully simple, and each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating that irresistible flavor profile and satisfying texture. From the aromatic spices that coat the chicken to the fresh toppings that brighten every bite, it’s a symphony of culinary essentials that come together easily in your kitchen.
- Chicken thighs: Thinly sliced for juicy, flavorful meat that cooks quickly and stays tender.
- Salt and black pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance and balance the complex spices.
- Ground cumin and coriander: These warm, earthy spices form the backbone of the shawarma marinade.
- Paprika: Adds a mild smokiness and vibrant color to the chicken.
- Onion powder and turmeric: Provide depth and a subtle golden hue.
- Sugar: Balances the savory spices with a touch of sweetness.
- Tomato paste: Brings tang, richness, and a beautiful sheen to the marinade.
- Olive oil: Helps meld the marinade spices and tenderize the chicken.
- Mayonnaise and yogurt: Create a creamy, tangy base for the garlic sauce.
- Garlic: Grated fresh, it packs a punch in the sauce.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the sauce and sumac onions with citrusy zing.
- Parsley: Adds fresh herbal notes to garnish and sauce alike.
- Red onion and sumac: Their mix brings a sharp, tangy crunch that’s essential for balance.
- Lavash or flatbread: Soft and pliable, perfect for wrapping all the delicious fillings.
- Harissa (optional): Adds a fiery kick if you like a little heat.
- Lettuce, tomato, pickles, and fries: Classic accompaniments that bring contrasting textures and flavors.
How to Make Chicken Shawarma Wrap
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by mixing your thinly sliced chicken thighs with an inviting blend of salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, paprika, onion powder, turmeric, sugar, tomato paste, and olive oil. This marinade works magic by tenderizing the chicken and infusing it with layers of fragrant spices. For best results, cover and let the chicken absorb these flavors for at least 30 minutes, though overnight marinating will truly make the taste pop.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the marinated chicken. As it cooks, you’ll notice the pieces turning beautifully golden with delicious charred edges, which is exactly what you want for authentic shawarma flavor. Stir occasionally and cook for about 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your slices, until the chicken is fully cooked and irresistible.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Sauce
While the chicken cooks, blend mayonnaise, yogurt, freshly grated garlic, lemon juice, and finely chopped parsley in a bowl. This creamy garlic sauce is the secret weapon of the Chicken Shawarma Wrap, adding coolness and a slight tang that perfectly complements the warm, spiced chicken. Adjust seasoning to your taste with a little more lemon or garlic if desired.
Step 4: Prepare the Sumac Onions
In a separate bowl, toss thinly sliced red onions with sumac, lemon juice, and parsley. The sumac’s subtle tartness and the lemon juice gently soften the onions, creating a fresh, zesty topping that cuts through the richness of the wrap and elevates every bite. Let them sit for at least 10 minutes so their flavors can meld beautifully.
Step 5: Assemble the Wrap
Warm your lavash or preferred flatbread slightly to make it wonderfully pliable. Then spread a generous layer of garlic sauce, followed by some harissa if you’re feeling adventurous. Layer on lettuce, the cooked chicken shawarma, sumac onions, pickles, tomato slices, and even a handful of crispy fries for a delightful textural surprise. Finally, roll it up tightly like a burrito or fold it like a gyro to keep all those amazing flavors together.
How to Serve Chicken Shawarma Wrap
Garnishes
Adding fresh garnishes like finely chopped parsley or a drizzle of extra garlic sauce takes your Chicken Shawarma Wrap from delicious to unforgettable. These simple finishing touches add bursts of freshness and make your wrap look just as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
Traditionally, serving your wrap alongside some crispy French fries or a fresh-feta-topped salad balances the hearty chicken with crunchy or refreshing sides. Pickles also amplify the tang factor, making every mouthful even more exciting.
Creative Ways to Present
To impress guests, slice your Chicken Shawarma Wrap into pinwheel bites perfect for sharing at parties. Or serve it open-faced as a shawarma platter with all the toppings laid out for everyone to build their own wraps. Either way, presentation is a fun way to enjoy this crowd-pleaser.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover chicken shawarma, store the cooked chicken, sauce, and vegetables separately in airtight containers in the fridge. This keeps each component fresh and prevents the bread from getting soggy.
Freezing
Cooked chicken shawarma freezes beautifully. Portion the cooked chicken into freezer-safe bags and freeze for up to three months. Garlic sauce and fresh onions don’t freeze well, so prepare those fresh when you’re ready to eat.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken gently in a skillet or oven to maintain its juiciness and crisp charred edges. Avoid overheating as it can dry out the meat. Warm your bread separately, then assemble fresh wraps with newly prepared garlic sauce and onions.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Absolutely! While thighs stay juicier and more flavorful due to their higher fat content, chicken breast works too—just be careful not to overcook it so it doesn’t dry out.
Is the garlic sauce spicy?
The garlic sauce itself is creamy, tangy, and garlicky but not spicy. If you want heat, adding harissa or a hot sauce on the wrap is an excellent choice.
What can I substitute for lavash?
You can easily swap lavash with tortillas, pita bread, or any soft flatbread. Each brings a slight variation to texture but works great for wrapping your chicken shawarma.
How long can I marinate the chicken?
Marinating for at least 30 minutes is good, but leaving it overnight really allows the spices to develop deeper flavor and tenderize the chicken wonderfully.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
While this recipe shines with chicken, you could swap the meat for hearty grilled vegetables, tofu, or seitan and use the same spices for a flavorful vegetarian twist on the Chicken Shawarma Wrap concept.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about a Chicken Shawarma Wrap that is homemade with care and packed with vibrant flavors and textures. Whether you’re feeding a family, hosting friends, or simply treating yourself, this recipe makes the magic of Middle Eastern street food completely accessible in your own kitchen. Dive in, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to fall in love with every bite of this spectacular Chicken Shawarma Wrap!
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Chicken Shawarma Wrap Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes (including marinating time; longer if marinated overnight)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Chicken Shawarma Wrap recipe delivers a flavorful Middle Eastern classic featuring marinated, spiced chicken thighs cooked to perfection and wrapped in warm lavash bread. Enhanced with a creamy garlic yogurt sauce, tangy sumac onions, fresh vegetables, pickles, and crispy French fries, this wrap is a satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner. The recipe guides you through marinating, cooking, and assembling authentic shawarma at home with easy-to-find ingredients.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 3 lb chicken thighs, thinly sliced
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Garlic Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 5 cloves garlic, grated
- 1/2 lemon’s juice
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
For the Sumac Onions
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp sumac
- 1/2 lemon’s juice
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
To Assemble
- Lavash bread (or tortilla, pita, or flatbread)
- Garlic sauce
- Harissa (optional)
- Lettuce, chopped
- Tomato, sliced
- Pickles, sliced
- French fries
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the thinly sliced chicken thighs with salt, black pepper, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, onion powder, turmeric, sugar, tomato paste, and olive oil. Mix thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly. Cover and refrigerate to marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight, to enhance the flavors.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked through and has a nice charred appearance in places, about 8 to 12 minutes depending on thickness. Remove from heat.
- Make the Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, plain yogurt, grated garlic, lemon juice, and finely chopped parsley until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Set aside.
- Prepare the Sumac Onions: In another bowl, combine the thinly sliced red onion with sumac, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Mix well and let sit for at least 10 minutes to soften the onions and develop the tangy flavor.
- Assemble the Wraps: Warm the lavash or your choice of flatbread to make it pliable. Spread a generous layer of garlic sauce onto the bread, adding harissa if desired for heat. Layer lettuce, cooked chicken, sumac onions, pickles, sliced tomatoes, and a handful of French fries. Roll tightly like a burrito or fold like a gyro.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the chicken shawarma wraps warm immediately. Enjoy this delicious, hearty Middle Eastern wrap as a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight maximizes flavor and tenderness.
- French fries add a traditional texture and flavor; substitute with roasted potatoes if preferred.
- Harissa is optional but adds a spicy kick to the wrap.
- If lavash is unavailable, tortilla, pita, or any soft flatbread can be used.
- Garlic sauce can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- For a healthier option, grill the chicken instead of pan-frying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wrap (approx. 250g)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: chicken shawarma, shawarma wrap, chicken shawarma wrap, garlic yogurt sauce, sumac onions, Middle Eastern wrap, homemade lavash, easy shawarma recipe, chicken wrap, shawarma marinade
