If you’re craving a delicious meal that’s bursting with flavor yet incredibly simple to prepare, you’ve got to try my Easy Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Garlic Yoghurt Recipe. I absolutely love how this recipe combines tender, spiced chicken with a creamy garlic yoghurt sauce and crispy fries for that perfect bite every time. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, these wraps come together quickly and always impress the crowd—trust me, you’ll keep coming back to this one!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor-packed marinade: The blend of spices and yoghurt tenderizes the chicken beautifully, giving you juicy, aromatic bites every time.
- Simple and fast: Ready in about 40 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
- Customizable toppings: Tomatoes, onions, mint, and sumac add fresh brightness—but you can easily switch these based on what you have.
- Comfort food with a twist: Crispy fries inside the wrap take this shawarma to a whole new level of indulgence.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe balances rich spices with fresh ingredients to create layers of flavor. Plus, most items are pantry staples or easily found in supermarkets, so it’s super convenient. Here’s what you’ll grab on your next shopping trip:

- Frozen French fries: Adds a fun crispy element inside the wrap; feel free to bake or air-fry for extra crunch.
- Tomatoes: Fresh slices add juiciness and a little zing to every bite.
- Red onion: Thinly sliced for a mild bite and crunch.
- Fresh mint leaves: Optional but highly recommended for that authentic fresh flavor punch.
- Lebanese flatbreads or wraps: These hold everything together perfectly; naan or pita works great too.
- Sumac: A pleasantly tangy Middle Eastern spice that brightens up the finished wrap.
- Greek yoghurt: Key for the creamy garlic yoghurt sauce and the chicken marinade.
- Toum or garlic dip: Adds extra garlic punch—if you can’t find it, fresh garlic with salt works well too.
- Chicken thighs: Boneless and skinless keep things juicy and tender, but chicken breast works if preferred.
- Tomato paste: Helps deepen the marinade flavor and adds a touch of sweetness.
- Lemon juice: Adds bright acidity that balances the spices.
- Garlic and spices: A blend of minced garlic, cumin, cardamom, garlic and onion powders, sweet and smoked paprika, salt, pepper—all essential to authentic shawarma flavor.
- Olive oil: For moisture and to help the marinade work its magic.
- Water: Helps loosen the pan bits while cooking for extra flavor in the sauce.
Variations
I love that this recipe is so adaptable. You can easily mix up the toppings or try different breads depending on what you have on hand—this keeps it exciting every time. Here are some ideas you might enjoy:
- Use chicken breast instead of thighs: If you prefer a leaner option, chicken breasts work well but watch the cooking time to avoid drying out.
- Make it vegetarian: Swap chicken for roasted cauliflower or falafel—both absorb the spices beautifully.
- Different bread: I’ve tried these in pita, naan, and even sturdy taco shells for a fun twist.
- Extra heat: If you like spice, add a dash of cayenne or chili flakes into your marinade or drizzle some harissa sauce inside the wrap.
How to Make Easy Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Garlic Yoghurt Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Fries and Veggies Ready
Start by cooking the frozen fries—either in the oven or air fryer—following the package instructions so they come out nice and crispy. While those cook, slice your tomatoes and thinly slice the red onion. If you’re using fresh mint, roughly chop the leaves now. Having these ready before the chicken hits the pan makes assembly ultra-smooth, trust me.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Yoghurt Sauce
In a small bowl, mix Greek yoghurt with toum or your garlic dip. If you don’t have ready-made garlic sauce, no worries—simply stir in freshly minced garlic and a pinch of salt. This sauce is the perfect cool counter to the spicy chicken, so don’t be shy with it!
Step 3: Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, toss the chicken thighs with tomato paste, Greek yoghurt, lemon juice, garlic, and all your spices—cumin, cardamom, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet and smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Make sure every piece gets coated evenly. You can cook the chicken right away or cover and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours if you want deeper flavor. This marinade step is where the magic happens—don’t skip it!
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
Heat a heavy-based frying pan over medium-high heat until hot, then add the marinated chicken. Cook for 5–6 minutes on each side until the chicken is cooked through and gets a nice char. In the last few minutes, pour in the water to loosen the flavorful, crispy bits stuck to the pan—it adds serious depth to your wrap when drizzled on top. Let the chicken rest a few minutes before slicing into thin strips.
Step 5: Assemble Your Wraps
Lay out your bread and spread a generous layer of the garlic yoghurt sauce in the center. Top with sliced chicken, crispy fries, tomato slices, red onion, fresh mint, and a sprinkle of sumac if you have it. Fold the flatbread’s sides up taco-style and serve immediately with extra garlic yoghurt sauce on the side. I promise, the combination of warm, spiced chicken and cool garlicky sauce with fries inside is addictive!
Pro Tips for Making Easy Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Garlic Yoghurt Recipe
- Marinate ahead: I love marinating the chicken overnight to let the flavors really soak in—it makes a noticeable difference.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cook the chicken in batches if needed to get that nice char without steaming.
- Use thick yoghurt: Greek yoghurt works best for a creamy sauce that holds up well inside the wrap.
- Rest the chicken: Let your chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy and tender.
How to Serve Easy Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Garlic Yoghurt Recipe

Garnishes
My go-to garnishes include fresh mint for brightness, a sprinkle of sumac to add tang, and extra sliced red onions for crunch and sharpness. Sometimes I throw in a few pickled cucumbers or turn to tahini drizzles to switch up the flavor profile—play around with what you love!
Side Dishes
I often serve these wraps alongside simple fattoush salad or a bowl of hummus and warm pita chips. Roasted vegetables or a fresh cucumber and tomato salad also pair perfectly and keep the meal light yet satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For festive gatherings, I like to slice the wraps into manageable bite-sized pieces and secure them with toothpicks—it makes them perfect finger food. Another fun idea is to build a shawarma platter where everyone assembles their own wraps from bowls of chicken, sauces, fries, and toppings. It’s interactive and loads of fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cooked chicken and fries separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. This keeps the textures from getting soggy. The garlic yoghurt sauce keeps fresh for about the same time when stored chilled.
Freezing
If you want to freeze cooked chicken shawarma, pack it tightly in a freezer-safe container or bag without the fries. The fries don’t freeze well and can become soggy. The chicken keeps nicely for up to 3 months.
Reheating
I reheat leftover chicken in a pan over medium heat to keep that char intact, adding a splash of water if needed to prevent drying. Fries are best reheated in the oven or air fryer to regain crispness. I recommend adding fresh garlic yoghurt sauce after reheating for that fresh creamy bite.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs for this recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken breast works fine, just be sure to not overcook it since it’s leaner and can dry out. Marinating helps keep it juicy, and cooking it for slightly less time than thighs usually does the trick.
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What if I can’t find toum or Middle Eastern garlic dip?
No worries—just make your garlic yoghurt sauce by adding freshly minced garlic and a pinch of salt to Greek yoghurt. It won’t be exactly toum, but it will still provide that delicious garlic flavor that pairs perfectly with the chicken.
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Can I make the chicken shawarma in advance?
Yes! Marinating the chicken a day ahead intensifies the flavors. Cooked chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated before assembling your wraps without losing much of its juiciness.
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Is sumac necessary in this recipe?
Sumac adds a delightful tanginess and a slight citrus note that really lifts the wraps, but if you don’t have it, don’t stress—it’s optional and the wraps will still be delicious without it.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Garlic Yoghurt Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it’s quick, incredibly tasty, and so versatile. I remember the first time I made it for a casual dinner and how everyone was asking for seconds—it just has this comforting, vibrant feel that brings people together. I can’t recommend it enough, so go ahead and give it a try; I’m sure it’ll become one of your family favorites too!
Print
Easy Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Garlic Yoghurt Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 wraps
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Yoghurt Sauce recipe offers a deliciously spiced Middle Eastern-inspired wrap, featuring tender marinated chicken thighs cooked to perfection with a flavorful blend of cumin, cardamom, smoked paprika, and garlic. Paired with crispy fries, fresh tomatoes, red onion, mint, and a creamy garlic yoghurt sauce, it makes an easy, satisfying, and customizable weeknight dinner that is sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients
Fries and Vegetables
- 400 g (14 oz) frozen French fries
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- 1 red onion, finely sliced
- 1 tbsp roughly chopped fresh mint leaves (optional)
Breads and Seasoning
- 4 Lebanese flatbreads, pita breads, wraps, or naan breads
- ½ tsp sumac (optional)
Garlic Yoghurt Sauce
- 1 cup (250 g) Greek yoghurt
- 2 tbsp toum or Middle Eastern garlic dip or sauce (or substitute with ½ tsp freshly minced garlic and ½ tsp salt)
Chicken Marinade
- 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) boneless, skinless chicken thighs (can be substituted with chicken breast)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (concentrated puree)
- 2 tbsp Greek yoghurt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp freshly minced garlic
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water
Instructions
- Cook Fries: Preheat your oven or air fryer according to the package instructions and cook the frozen French fries until crispy and golden. While the fries cook, wash and slice the tomatoes, finely slice the red onion, and roughly chop the fresh mint if using.
- Prepare Garlic Yoghurt Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the Greek yoghurt with the toum or Middle Eastern garlic dip. If you don’t have these garlic sauces, mix ½ tsp freshly minced garlic and ½ tsp salt into the yoghurt. Set this sauce aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl. Add tomato paste, Greek yoghurt, lemon juice, freshly minced garlic, ground cumin, ground cardamom, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, sea salt flakes, freshly cracked black pepper, and olive oil. Use tongs to thoroughly toss the chicken, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the marinade. You can cook the chicken immediately or refrigerate it covered for up to 24 hours for deeper flavor infusion.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large heavy-based frying pan over medium–high heat. Once hot, place the marinated chicken pieces in the pan and cook for 5–6 minutes on each side until fully cooked through and slightly charred. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add ¼ cup (60 ml) water to the pan to deglaze and loosen all the flavorful crispy bits stuck to the pan. Remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest a few minutes before slicing thinly. Drizzle with the pan juices for extra flavor.
- Assemble the Shawarma Wraps: Lay your choice of flatbread on a plate. Spread a generous amount of the garlic yoghurt sauce in the center of each bread. Top with sliced chicken, crispy French fries, sliced tomatoes, red onions, shredded mint leaves, and a sprinkle of sumac if you’re using it. Fold the sides of the flatbread upwards to form a taco shape, wrapping everything tightly inside.
- Serve: Serve the chicken shawarma wraps immediately while warm, with extra garlic yoghurt sauce on the side for dipping as desired.
Notes
- This Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Yoghurt Sauce is the ultimate easy and satisfying weeknight dinner with family-friendly, customizable toppings that everyone will enjoy.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts if preferred, but thighs tend to remain juicier and more flavorful.
- For an authentic smoky flavor, the chicken can also be cooked on a barbecue grill instead of a frying pan.
- If you don’t have toum or Middle Eastern garlic dip, using minced garlic and salt in the yoghurt is a perfect and simple alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wrap
- Calories: 819
- Sugar: 23.3 g
- Sodium: 1461.8 mg
- Fat: 37.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 7.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 28.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 93.8 g
- Fiber: 10.6 g
- Protein: 40.9 g
- Cholesterol: 127.9 mg

