Layer on the flavors with tasty chicken shawarma

Chicken shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern dish with grilled marinated chicken snuggled in a pita.

The garlicky and lemony marinade lends tons of flavor and helps tenderize the chicken.

Tahini or garlic sauce on top of the chicken adds another huge layer of flavor. I am a sucker for the creamy garlic sauce. Or you can buy it in the ethnic aisle of many grocery stores or Middle Eastern specialty stores.

Chicken Shawarma

Serves: 8; Preparation time: 10 minutes (plus marinating time); Total time: 35 minutes

For the marinade:

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup canola oil

1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground oregano or thyme

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon cumin

4 tablespoons plain yogurt

3 tablespoons white vinegar

4 crushed garlic cloves

1 teaspoon salt

For the chicken:

2 pounds of thin boneless, skinless chicken breast

For serving:

Tahini sauce or garlic sauce

Pita bread

Cucumber slices

Sliced tomatoes

In a large bowl, whisk together all the marinade ingredients. Add the chicken and toss. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 6 to 8 hours.

Preheat the grill to medium. Remove chicken from marinade and discard marinade. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 12 minutes, depending on thickness. (You also can use a grill pan, tabletop grill or panini press to cook the chicken.) Remove the chicken (leave grill on) and shred the chicken.

Spread the tahini or garlic sauce on a pita bread, add the chicken, cucumber and tomatoes. Roll up the sandwich and grill again slightly just to warm the pita.

Per serving with Tahini sauce: 489 calories (28 percent from fat), 15 grams fat (3 grams sat. fat), 42 grams carbohydrates, 46 grams protein, 623 mg sodium, 104 mg cholesterol, 3 grams fiber.

Tahini Sauce

Makes about 1 cup

5 tablespoons tahini (sesame seed paste, available in natural foods sections)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup water

2 garlic cloves, pressed

5 tablespoons lemon juice

Pulse ingredients together in a food processor until a paste forms. Add more water if mixture is too thick. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary.

Garlic Sauce

Makes about 1 cup

1 peeled bulb of garlic

1 teaspoon salt

Olive oil

1 teaspoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons plain yogurt

Puree garlic and salt in a food processor. Slowly add olive oil 1 tablespoon at a time until mixture becomes white and very creamy. This may take several minutes. Add lemon juice and yogurt. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary.