Mouthwatering Arabic Shawarma Recipe

News Desk

Islamabad: Craving the real taste of the Middle East? Try this authentic Arabic Shawarma packed with juicy meat, bold spices, and traditional flavors. Perfect for homemade wraps that taste just like your favorite street food!

Ingredients

For Chicken Marinade

• Chicken thighs – 500 g (boneless)
• Yogurt – 1 cup
• Black pepper powder – 1 tsp
• Paprika – 1 tbsp
• Cinnamon powder – 1 tsp
• Coriander powder – ½ tsp
• Cumin powder – ½ tsp
• Salt – 1 tsp
• Garlic powder – 1 tsp
• Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
• Oil – as required for frying

For Garlic Sauce (Toum-inspired)

• Sesame seeds – ¼ cup
• Olive oil – ¼ cup
• Mayonnaise – 1 cup
• Garlic (chopped) – 1 tbsp
• Black pepper powder – 1 tsp
• Salt – ½ tsp

For Assembling

• Tortilla wraps – as required
• Prepared chicken – from above
• Prepared sauce – as needed
• Iceberg lettuce – shredded, as required
• Onion – thinly sliced, as required

Directions

1. Marinate the Chicken:
   In a large bowl, combine chicken thighs with yogurt, black pepper, paprika, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, salt, garlic powder, and lemon juice. Mix well until the chicken is evenly coated. Let it marinate for 15–20 minutes.
2. Cook the Chicken:
   Heat a bit of oil in a pan and shallow fry the chicken pieces for 3–4 minutes on each side, until fully cooked and slightly charred.
3. Slice the Chicken:
   Remove from the pan, allow to rest for a few minutes, then slice into thin strips.
4. Prepare the Garlic Sauce:
   In a dry pan, roast sesame seeds until golden brown. Transfer to a blender, then add olive oil, mayonnaise, chopped garlic, black pepper, and salt. Blend until smooth and creamy.
5. Assemble the Shawarma:
   Lay out a tortilla. Spread a generous layer of garlic sauce, then top with shredded iceberg lettuce, sliced onions, and the prepared chicken strips.
6. Roll and Serve:
   Roll the tortilla tightly into a wrap and secure with a toothpick if needed. Optionally, you can grill the wrap lightly for extra crispiness.