How to Make the Perfect Shawarma Wrap Middle Eastern Sandwich
Middle Eastern · Medium · 35 min · 2 servings
This Middle Eastern street food staple features spiced marinated chicken layered with creamy garlic sauce, pickled vegetables, and fresh tomatoes all wrapped tightly in a warm flatbread. The aromatic blend of cumin, coriander, and turmeric makes this one of the most flavorful sandwiches enjoyed across the globe.
Why this recipe works
This Shawarma Wrap Middle Eastern Sandwich recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 35 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 560 calories with 36g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 300 grams boneless chicken thighs marinated in shawarma spices
- 2 large pita bread or flatbread
- 4 tablespoons toum garlic sauce or garlic mayonnaise
- 0.5 cup sliced dill pickles or turnip pickles
- 1 large tomato thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon shawarma spice blend cumin coriander turmeric allspice
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Marinate and Cook the Chicken
Toss the chicken thighs in shawarma spice blend with a drizzle of olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Marinate for at least 15 minutes. Cook in a hot skillet or grill pan over high heat for 5 to 6 minutes per side until charred and cooked through.
Step 2: Slice the Chicken
Remove the cooked chicken from the heat and let it rest for 3 minutes to retain its juices. Slice thinly on a diagonal against the grain to maximize surface area and create tender strips with charred edges throughout.
Step 3: Warm the Flatbread
Warm the pita or flatbread directly on a dry skillet over medium heat for about 1 minute per side until pliable and heated through. Do not skip this step as warm bread wraps without tearing and clings to the fillings better.
Step 4: Wrap and Serve
Spread garlic sauce generously across the center of the warm flatbread. Layer the sliced chicken, tomato slices, and pickles down the middle. Fold the sides of the bread in and roll tightly from the bottom up. Wrap in foil to hold the shape and serve hot.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- boneless chicken thighs → thinly sliced beef or lamb for a more traditional street-style shawarma
- toum garlic sauce → tahini sauce mixed with lemon juice and garlic as a nutty and equally authentic alternative
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Using cold flatbread straight from the package which tears immediately when rolled and causes the filling to fall out
- Under-seasoning the chicken marinade which results in bland meat that does not reflect the bold flavors shawarma is known for
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 560 calories, 36g protein, 54g carbs, 20g fat, 4g fiber.
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