Name: Easy Chicken Shawarma with Tzatziki and Fresh Veggies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 3 cloves garlic (minced); 2 teaspoons paprika (smoked or sweet); 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 2 teaspoons ground coriander; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon turmeric powder; ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom; ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or crushed red pepper flakes); 1 medium lemon (zest and juice); ¼ cup olive oil; 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (pat dry); 2 tablespoons neutral oil (for grilling or air-frying); 1 ½ cups Greek yogurt (whole, low, or non-fat); 1 cup English or Persian cucumber (grated); 1 teaspoon cumin; 2 cloves garlic (grated or minced); 1 tablespoon dill (minced); 1 tablespoon mint (minced); 1 medium lemon (zest and juice); Salt and pepper (to taste); Pita bread; Hummus (your choice of flavor); Cucumbers (Persian or English, chopped into ¼” cubes); Cherry tomatoes (cut in half); Fresh red onion (thinly sliced or pickled red onion)

Ingredients

3 cloves garlic (minced)

2 teaspoons paprika (smoked or sweet)

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons ground coriander

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

¼ teaspoon ground cardamom

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or crushed red pepper flakes)

1 medium lemon (zest and juice)

¼ cup olive oil

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (pat dry)

2 tablespoons neutral oil

1 ½ cups Greek yogurt (whole, low, or non-fat)

1 cup English or Persian cucumber (grated)

1 teaspoon cumin

2 cloves garlic (grated or minced for tzatziki)

1 tablespoon dill (minced)

1 tablespoon mint (minced)

1 medium lemon (zest and juice for tzatziki)

Salt and pepper (to taste)

Pita bread

Hummus (your choice of flavor)

Cucumbers (Persian or English, chopped into ¼” cubes)

Cherry tomatoes (cut in half)

Fresh red onion (thinly sliced or pickled)

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the minced garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, lemon juice and zest, and olive oil. Add the chicken thighs and fully coat them with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap to seal and let the chicken marinate at room temperature for 1-2 hours or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor.

Step 2: While the chicken marinates, prepare the tzatziki sauce. In a medium bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, cumin, grated garlic, dill, mint, lemon zest and juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as desired and set aside.

Step 3: If grilling, remove chicken from the fridge at least 30 minutes before cooking to come to room temperature. Heat a grill or grill pan over high heat and oil it with neutral oil. Grill the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side without moving to get nice grill marks. Once cooked through, rest the chicken on a plate covered with foil for 5-10 minutes.

Step 4: For air fryer cooking, preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the chicken thighs in a single layer in the basket without overcrowding. Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is browned.

Step 5: Optionally grill the pita bread for 15-30 seconds per side to warm and add light char.

Step 6: To assemble, spread a spoonful of hummus onto the pita bread, then a layer of tzatziki sauce. Add sliced chicken, then top with chopped cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and sliced or pickled red onion. Wrap in parchment paper if desired and serve.

Tips & Variations

Use boneless skinless chicken thighs for juicier and more flavorful meat compared to breasts.

Marinate the chicken overnight to deepen the spice flavors and tenderize the meat.

For extra heat, increase the cayenne pepper or add a dash of hot sauce to the tzatziki.

Try adding pickled turnips or fresh parsley for added authenticity and brightness.

Use Greek yogurt with different fat percentages to adjust creaminess in the tzatziki.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes, you can use chicken breast, but thighs stay juicier and more flavorful due to their higher fat content. Be careful not to overcook breasts as they can dry out.

Is it necessary to marinate the chicken overnight?

While you can marinate for just 1-2 hours, marinating overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness significantly. If short on time, 1-2 hours still works well.