Saffron-Infused Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Yogurt Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-11 · Updated 2026-05-11

Juicy saffron-marinated chicken thighs grilled to perfection, served with a cooling garlic yogurt sauce for a vibrant Middle Eastern street food experience. This Middle Eastern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, plain Greek yogurt, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground paprika
• 1 pinch pinch of saffron threads, soaked in 2 tbsp warm water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (for sauce)
• 1 garlic clove, minced (for sauce)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (for sauce)
• 1/4 tsp salt (for sauce)

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground paprika, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and saffron threads soaked in 2 tbsp warm water. Whisk until uniform.
2. Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs to the marinade, tossing to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight for best flavor.
3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 5-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and edges are slightly charred.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare garlic yogurt sauce by mixing 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1/4 tsp salt in a small bowl until smooth.
5. Step 5: Transfer grilled chicken to a serving platter, sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and serve alongside the garlic yogurt sauce and warm pita bread or salad.