Looking for a flavorful and satisfying dinner that’s ready in a flash? Look no further than our recipe for Chicken Shawarma with Yogurt Sauce! Inspired by the Middle Eastern classic, this dish features a zesty marinade of curry, garlic, and lemon that infuses the chicken with mouthwatering flavor. Best of all, it’s ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect meal for busy weeknights.
Marinade, grill and go….
One of the things I love most about Chicken Shawarma is how effortlessly it comes together. Simply toss the chicken in the marinade and let the flavors meld while you go about your day. When dinner time rolls around, whip up a simple salad, prepare the yogurt sauce, and fire up the grill. In no time, you’ll have a delicious and satisfying meal that’s sure to please the whole family.
Traditionally, chicken shawarma is slow-cooked on a spit, but this version of this classic dish is all about convenience without sacrificing flavor. By using a Middle Eastern-style marinade and grilling the chicken, you’ll achieve that authentic shawarma taste in a fraction of the time. And don’t worry if the weather isn’t cooperating – simply heat up a cast iron grill pan on the stove or in the oven for equally delicious results.
Elevate your dinner game with Chicken Shawarma with Yogurt Sauce!
This dish offers a multitude of serving options to suit every palate. For a classic presentation, pair the Chicken Shawarma with warm pita bread and a refreshing cucumber tomato salad. Alternatively, get creative by crafting a flavorful wrap with our low-point hummus, peppery arugula, and tender grilled chicken cubes, adding a little yogurt sauce for a creamy finish.
Lastly, for a fresh and vibrant side, consider serving it alongside our Tomato Cucumber Salad recipe. With these diverse serving suggestions, you can enjoy the delicious flavors of Chicken Shawarma in a variety of delightful ways.
Transform Chicken Shawarma and its creamy Yogurt Sauce into a nutritious salad perfect for lunch or dinner.
One of the most delightful ways I enjoy Chicken Shawarma is by incorporating it into a vibrant Green Mediterranean Salad with a zesty Lemon-Sumac Dressing. This combination not only satisfies the taste buds but also makes for a satisfying, low-point meal. What’s more, assembling this dish couldn’t be simpler.
For a lighter option, I often opt to pair it with a crisp salad and a generous dollop of yogurt sauce. Alternatively, a fusion of the yogurt sauce into our homemade Lemon-Sumac dressing creates a velvety, flavorful dressing that adds a creamy touch to the salad.
The Yogurt Sauce..Updated
When this recipe was first written, the yogurt sauce was made from nonfat Greek yogurt. As I have said before, I am really not a fan of non-fat products. My personal belief is that is better to have a whole food based product and consume smaller quantities. However this is all personal preference. So I wanted to make sure that those of you who prefer using nonfat products, still have access to the first version of this sauce. The point count on Yogurt Sauce prepared with nonfat Greek yogurt is 1 WW Smart Point for 1 1/2 Tablespoons.
- 1/2 Cup Nonfat Greek Yogurt
- 3 teaspoons Tahini Paste or Sesame Oil
- 4 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 1/4 teaspoon Lemon Zest
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/8 teaspoon Garlic grated with a zester (Optional)
Here lies the rub. I discovered that when using whole milk Greek yogurt, and one additional teaspoon of Tahini, the points value is still 1 point but for 2 Tablespoons. This is due largely to the yogurt itself. Whole milk yogurt is thicker and needs a little extra lemon juice to thin it down. Additionally, it can stand up to it better. The addition of the extra lemon juice, bumps up the volume of the finished sauce.
Weight Watchers and Waist Watchers……………
A 5-ounce serving of chicken breast is Zero WW Smart Points.
2 Tablespoons of the Whole Milk Yogurt Sauce is 1 WW Smart Point.
A 5-ounce serving of chicken breast with 2 Tablespoons of Whole Milk Yogurt Sauce is 307 calories.
1/2 cup serving of Light and Creamy Hummus is Zero (0) WW Smart Points.
Buon Appetito!
PrintChicken Shawarma with Yogurt Sauce: A Simplified Middle Eastern Delight
Chicken marinated in a blend of curry, lemon and garlic, then grilled and served with a tangy Yogurt Sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 5 Servings 1x
- Category: Entree
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
FOR THE CHICKEN:
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Garlic, Minced
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1/2 teaspoons Salt
- 2 teaspoons Sweet Curry Powder
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
- 1 1/2 pounds, Chicken Breast, boneless and skinless sliced into thin cutlets
- An additional 1/2 teaspoons of salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
FOR THE SAUCE:
- 1/2 Cup Greek Yogurt, Whole Milk
- 4 teaspoons Sesame Oil or Tahini
- 6 teaspoons Lemon Juice
- 1/4 teaspoon Lemon Zest
- 1/2 clove of garlic rasped on lemon zester about (1/4 teaspoon) (Optional)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
For the Sauce:
- Whisk together the yogurt, tahini, lemon zest, lemon juice and garlic.
- Season with salt and refrigerate until ready to serve.
For the Chicken:
- Combine lemon juice, garlic, curry powder, cinnamon, cumin, salt and olive oil in a bowl
- Add chicken and mix to coat.
- Let chicken marinade for a 2-4 hours or overnight.
- Remove chicken from marinade and season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
- Prepare grate for grilling by spraying with pam or wipe them down with vegetable oil. Preheat grill to medium high heat.
- Grill chicken, about 6-7 minutes on one side. Turn and grill an additional 3-4 minutes until cooked through.
- Grill pitas about 1 minute per side.
- Serve Shawarma with pita, hummus, yogurt sauce and cucumber salad.
Notes
Weight Watchers and Waist Watchers
- A 4-5 ounce serving of Chicken Shawarma is Zero WW Smart Points
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons of Yogurt Sauce is 1 WW Smart Point for 1 1/2 Tablespoons
