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Easy Crockpot Chicken Shawarma Recipe with Garlic Sauce and Warm Pita

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A simple and flavorful slow-cooked chicken shawarma recipe with a creamy garlic sauce and warm pita, perfect for busy weeknights with minimal hands-on time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • Garlic Sauce:
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Salt to taste
  • A splash of olive oil (optional)
  • 6–8 warm pita pockets

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Add minced garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil to the spices and stir to create a thick spice paste.
  3. Add chicken thighs to the bowl and toss thoroughly to coat each piece in the marinade. Let sit for 5 minutes at room temperature or marinate up to 2 hours in the fridge for deeper flavor.
  4. Place sliced onions at the bottom of the crockpot. Arrange marinated chicken thighs on top in an even layer, pouring any leftover marinade over the top.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours until chicken is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
  6. While chicken cooks, whisk together Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and olive oil until smooth and creamy to make garlic sauce.
  7. Just before serving, wrap pita in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes or heat briefly on a skillet until soft.
  8. Shred chicken directly in the crockpot using two forks and mix gently with onions and juices.
  9. Spoon chicken onto warm pita, drizzle with garlic sauce, and add fresh toppings like tomatoes, cucumbers, pickles, or fresh herbs as desired.
  10. Optional: For extra texture, sear shredded chicken in a hot skillet with a little oil for 2-3 minutes to crisp edges.

Notes

Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor. Use chicken thighs for juiciness; reduce cooking time if using breasts. Garlic sauce tastes better after chilling 30 minutes. Warm pita just before serving. Optional searing adds texture. Substitute coconut or almond yogurt for dairy-free garlic sauce and gluten-free pita or lettuce wraps for gluten intolerance.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken shawarma, crockpot recipe, slow cooker chicken, garlic sauce, pita bread, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Middle Eastern chicken

Find it online: https://evabake.com/easy-crockpot-chicken-shawarma-recipe-with-garlic-sauce-and-warm-pita-perfect-for-busy-weeknights/