Stovetop Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Yogurt Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-27 · Updated 2026-05-27

Spiced chicken thighs cooked on the stovetop and served with a cooling garlic yogurt sauce and warm pita bread. This middle eastern-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes blends boneless skinless chicken thighs, olive oil, ground cumin into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic clove minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 4 pieces pita bread
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch strips with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground paprika, 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss to coat evenly and marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
2. Step 2: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the marinated chicken strips in a single layer. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through with a fragrant spice aroma.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, stir together 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.
4. Step 4: Warm 4 pieces of pita bread in a dry skillet or oven for 1-2 minutes until soft and pliable.
5. Step 5: Serve the spiced chicken strips topped with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley alongside the garlic yogurt sauce and warm pita bread for wrapping.