Chicken Shawarma Wrap

Name: Chicken Shawarma Wrap
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken thigh; 4 pieces whole wheat pita; 3 tbsp tahini; 3 tbsp lemon; 3 cloves garlic; 1 medium cucumber; 2 medium tomato; 0.5 medium red onion; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1.5 tsp cumin; 1 tsp coriander; 0.5 tsp turmeric; 1 tsp paprika; 0.25 tsp table salt; 0.25 tsp black pepper

Spiced roasted chicken thighs with homemade tahini sauce, pickled
turnips, and fresh vegetables in warm whole wheat pita. A healthier
take on a Middle Eastern classic with 30g protein per serving.

Street-style shawarma is one of the world's great sandwiches, but the
restaurant version often comes with heavy sauces and white pita that
leave you feeling weighed down. This homemade version keeps all the
bold flavors while making smart swaps for better nutrition.

Chicken thighs are seasoned with a warm blend of cumin, coriander,
turmeric, and paprika, then roasted until deeply golden and slightly
charred at the edges. The spice blend does all the heavy lifting — no
need for excess salt or sugar.

A drizzle of tahini sauce (just tahini, lemon, and garlic) replaces
the typical mayonnaise-based sauces, adding nutty richness and extra
minerals. Wrapped in whole wheat pita with crunchy vegetables, this
is a sandwich that delivers on flavor and nutrition equally.

✅ Why This Recipe Is Healthy

• High protein: 30g per serving from chicken thighs
• Anti-inflammatory spices: Turmeric, cumin, and coriander
• Mineral-rich: Tahini provides calcium, iron, and magnesium
• High potassium: Chicken and vegetables pack 580mg per serving

📊 Why This Recipe Scored 86/100

With an overall health score of 86/100, this recipe is a solid, balanced option. Its strongest area is blood sugar stability (92/100), where a strong 30g of protein helps buffer the glucose response.

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⏱️

Prep Time

15 min

🍳

Cook Time

25 min

🍽️

Servings

📊

Difficulty

medium

Ingredients

✓ 1 lb chicken thigh
✓ 4 pieces whole wheat pita
✓ 3 tbsp tahini
✓ 3 tbsp lemon
✓ 3 cloves garlic
✓ 1 medium cucumber
✓ 2 medium tomato
✓ 0.5 medium red onion
✓ 1 tbsp olive oil
✓ 1.5 tsp cumin
✓ 1 tsp coriander
✓ 0.5 tsp turmeric
✓ 1 tsp paprika
✓ 0.25 tsp table salt
✓ 0.25 tsp black pepper

Chicken Shawarma Wrap cooking in progress

Instructions

1
Preheat oven to 425°F. Mix cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Toss chicken thighs with olive oil and the spice blend until well coated.
2
Place chicken on a lined baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 175°F and edges are slightly charred. Let rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
3
Make the tahini sauce: whisk tahini with lemon juice, one minced garlic clove, and 2-3 tablespoons of water until smooth and drizzle-able.
4
Dice cucumber and tomatoes. Thinly slice red onion.
5
Warm the pita briefly. Fill each with sliced chicken, diced vegetables, and a generous drizzle of tahini sauce. Serve immediately.