Name: Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Garlic Yoghurt Sauce and Crispy French Fries Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 400 g (14 oz) frozen French fries; 2 tomatoes, sliced; 1 red onion, finely sliced; 1 tbsp roughly chopped fresh mint leaves (optional); 4 Lebanese flatbreads, pita breads, wraps, or naan breads; ½ tsp sumac (optional); 1 cup (250 g) Greek yoghurt; 2 tbsp toum or Middle Eastern garlic dip/sauce (or ½ tsp freshly minced garlic and ½ tsp salt as substitute); 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) boneless, skinless chicken thighs (can substitute 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 (for cooking)

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If you’re craving a vibrant, flavorsome meal that delivers both comfort and excitement, this Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Garlic Yoghurt Sauce and Crispy French Fries Recipe is a total winner. Imagine juicy, fragrant marinated chicken thighs grilled to perfection, wrapped in soft flatbreads with creamy garlic yoghurt sauce, fresh veggies, and those irresistibly crispy fries adding that perfect crunch. It’s a dish that invites friends and family to gather around, savor every bite, and maybe even fight over the last wrap. Simple yet packed with layers of Middle Eastern-inspired flavors, this recipe is sure to become one of your go-to meals for any occasion.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass bowl sitting on a white marbled surface holds several pieces of raw chicken coated in a thick, creamy marinade. The marinade is light brown with visible specks of spices and has a slightly grainy texture. The chicken pieces are submerged and partially covered by the sauce, resting close together inside the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This recipe features straightforward ingredients that come together beautifully to offer bold taste, delightful textures, and colorful presentation. Each item plays a key role — from the spices that infuse the chicken with warm, aromatic flavor to the crisp fries that add satisfying texture, and of course the cooling garlic yoghurt sauce that ties everything together.

Frozen French fries (400 g/14 oz): Your secret crunch ingredient, baked to crispy perfection to elevate the wrap’s texture.
2 tomatoes, sliced: Adds juicy freshness that brightens the flavor profile and provides a lovely contrast.
1 red onion, finely sliced: Offers a subtle bite and color, complemented perfectly by the spices.
1 tbsp fresh mint leaves (optional): Brings a refreshing herbal lift to balance the richness of the chicken and yoghurt.
4 Lebanese flatbreads (or pita, wraps, naan): Acts as the perfect handheld vessel for all the delicious fillings.
½ tsp sumac (optional): A tangy Middle Eastern spice that adds a slightly lemony nuance when sprinkled.
1 cup Greek yoghurt (250 g): The creamy base for the garlic yoghurt sauce and part of the marinade, offering tang and silkiness.
2 tbsp toum or Middle Eastern garlic dip: Intensifies the garlicky depth in the sauce; substitute with fresh garlic and salt if preferred.
500 g boneless skinless chicken thighs: Juicy and tender, they soak up the marinade and stay moist when cooked.
1 tbsp tomato paste: Provides rich umami and a subtle sweetness to the marinade.
2 tbsp Greek yoghurt: Added to the marinade for extra creaminess and tang.
2 tbsp lemon juice: Brightens and tenderizes the chicken perfectly.
1 tsp freshly minced garlic: Elevates flavor with its pungent, aromatic notes.
Spices (cumin, cardamom, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet and smoked paprika): A carefully balanced mix that creates the signature shawarma taste.
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper: Enhances all the flavors.
3 tbsp olive oil: Helps meld the marinade ingredients and adds a subtle richness.
¼ cup water: Used to loosen and deglaze the pan, capturing pan juices to drizzle over the meat.

How to Make Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Garlic Yoghurt Sauce and Crispy French Fries Recipe

Step 1: Preparing the Fries and Veggies

Start by preheating your oven or air fryer to cook the frozen French fries according to the packet instructions. While they’re cooking to golden, crispy goodness, wash and slice the tomatoes and finely slice the red onion. If you’ve chosen to use fresh mint, chop it roughly so it’s ready to sprinkle later. Having all these components prepared in advance makes assembly a breeze.

Step 2: Whip Up the Garlic Yoghurt Sauce

In a small bowl, mix together the Greek yoghurt and your choice of toum or Middle Eastern garlic dip. If unavailable, a simple blend of freshly minced garlic with a pinch of salt stirred into the yoghurt works beautifully. This sauce is creamy, garlicky, and brings a cooling element to balance the spices in the chicken. Set it aside to let those flavors meld.

Step 3: Marinate the Chicken

Place your chicken thighs in a large bowl, then add tomato paste, Greek yoghurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, all the spices including cumin, cardamom, garlic and onion powders, sweet and smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Use tongs to toss and coat every piece thoroughly. For an even deeper flavor, cover and refrigerate the chicken for a few hours or up to 24 hours; but if you’re short on time, you can cook it straight away.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken to Juicy Perfection

Heat a heavy-based frying pan over medium to high heat until hot. Add the marinated chicken, cooking each side for about 5 to 6 minutes until charred and cooked through. To capture every bit of flavor, pour in water during the last few minutes to deglaze the pan. This releases all those crispy, caramelized bits that you’ll want to drizzle over the sliced chicken once it’s rested and ready.

Step 5: Assemble Your Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Garlic Yoghurt Sauce and Crispy French Fries Recipe

Lay your flatbreads on plates and spread a generous spoonful of garlic yoghurt sauce onto the center of each. Add the sliced chicken piled high, top with crispy fries, fresh tomato slices, red onion, mint leaves, and a sprinkle of sumac if you like that citrusy twist. Fold the bread sides up like a taco and get ready for the best handheld meal experience.

Step 6: Serve Immediately and Enjoy

Serve your wraps hot, alongside extra garlic yoghurt sauce for dipping. The combination of juicy chicken, fresh veggies, cooling sauce, and crispy fries all wrapped up in soft flatbread is simply irresistible.

How to Serve Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Garlic Yoghurt Sauce and Crispy French Fries Recipe

A white plate on a white marbled surface holds a layered dish starting with a base of soft flatbread topped with white cream sauce. On the sauce lies sliced red tomatoes and thin purple onion rings. Above this are several pieces of grilled chicken with a dark golden-brown char, sprinkled with chopped green herbs. To one side, thick, light golden fries are stacked, also topped with green herbs. The dish has warm, earthy colors with fresh greens adding brightness, all close-up and detailed. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh garnishes can elevate your wraps to the next level. Brighten with lemon wedges to squeeze over and fresh chopped parsley or coriander for extra color and herbal notes. Sprinkle sumac over the top for its subtle tang that perfectly contrasts the spices, or add a dash of chili flakes if you love a bit of heat.

Side Dishes

Though the wraps hold everything you need, consider serving with a side of crunchy pickles, a simple cucumber and tomato salad, or even a bowl of spiced lentil soup to turn your meal into a Middle Eastern feast. A crisp fattoush salad would also complement the flavors beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a casual gathering, wrap the Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Garlic Yoghurt Sauce and Crispy French Fries Recipe in parchment paper or foil—it keeps them warm and makes eating on the go a snap. Alternatively, slice the wraps in half and arrange on a platter with small bowls of sauce and sides for sharing. You can even create mini-sized wraps for party appetizers that pack a ton of flavor in a bite.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store the cooked chicken separately from the fries and bread to keep textures intact. Place chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days, and keep fries in paper-towel-lined containers to minimize sogginess.

Freezing

You can freeze the marinated chicken before cooking for up to one month. After thawing and cooking, it is best enjoyed immediately, but cooked chicken pieces can be frozen in airtight containers for later use. Avoid freezing assembled wraps as the bread and fries will lose their texture.

Reheating

Reheat chicken gently in a pan over medium heat or in the oven until warmed through to retain moisture. For fries, reheat in the oven or air fryer to revive their crispiness rather than using the microwave, which makes them soggy.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for this recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken breasts work fine if you prefer leaner meat, though thighs tend to stay juicier and more flavorful when marinated and cooked. Just adjust cooking time as breasts cook a little faster and can dry out if overcooked.

What if I can’t find toum or Middle Eastern garlic dip?

No worries! A simple garlic yoghurt sauce made with freshly minced garlic and a pinch of salt stirred into Greek yoghurt does the trick wonderfully. It’s fresh, garlicky, and creamy—perfect for the wraps.

Can I make these wraps vegetarian or vegan?

Sure! Replace the chicken with spiced grilled vegetables or roasted chickpeas for a hearty vegetarian twist. Swap out Greek yoghurt and toum for dairy-free or plant-based alternatives to keep the garlic sauce creamy and delicious.

Is sumac necessary in this recipe?

Sumac is optional but highly recommended if you want a touch of tangy brightness that complements the spices. If it’s hard to find, a squeeze of lemon juice can mimic its citrusy notes.

How long can I marinate the chicken for best results?

For a quick meal, marinate for at least 30 minutes. However, for maximum flavor infusion, marinate covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The spices and yoghurt totally transform the chicken’s depth.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about making and sharing this Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Garlic Yoghurt Sauce and Crispy French Fries Recipe. It hits all the right notes—juicy, savory, creamy, tangy, and crispy all together in one wrap. Whether for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive weekend feast, this recipe invites you to savor every bite and enjoy the comforting warmth of home-cooked Middle Eastern flavors. Give it a go and watch it become a beloved classic on your table!

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