Description
Chicken shawarma bowl is a vibrant, nutrient-packed bowl featuring spiced chicken shawarma served over rice or quinoa, paired with fresh vegetables, herbs, and a creamy tahini-yogurt sauce for a satisfying meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or as a homemade dish that feeds a crowd. Easily paired with warm pita bread, hummus, or tabbouleh.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
– 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (substitute chicken thighs if needed)
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 2 tsp ground cumin
– 1 tsp ground paprika
– 1 tsp ground turmeric
– 1 tsp ground coriander
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp onion powder
– ½ tsp ground cinnamon
– ¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper
– ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
– ¼ tsp black pepper
– 2 tbsp lemon juice
For the Sauce:
– ¼ cup lemon juice
– ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (substitute vegan yogurt for plant-based diets)
– ¼ cup tahini (substitute hummus or almond butter if needed)
– 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Bowl Base:
– 2 cups cooked rice (substitute quinoa or cauliflower rice for low-carb diets)
– 1 cup chopped cucumber
– 1 cup chopped tomatoes
– ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
– ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
– ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
– Optional: 1 tbsp pomegranate seeds
Instructions
- Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces or strips.
- In a small bowl, combine spices, olive oil, and lemon juice to form a paste. Rub the spice paste evenly onto the chicken pieces.
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the spiced chicken in a single layer and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and browned on all sides.
- Whisk together lemon juice, Greek yogurt, tahini, and olive oil in a small bowl until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, chopped cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and cilantro. Toss gently to combine. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
- Divide the rice and vegetable mixture among serving bowls. Top with cooked chicken pieces and drizzle with the yogurt-tahini sauce.
- Garnish with pomegranate seeds, additional parsley, or cilantro if desired.
Notes
– Use fresh spices for maximum flavor. Substitute plant-based ingredients for vegan diets.
– Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze portions for longer storage; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Avoid microwaving for too long to preserve texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish / Bowl
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern / Healthy
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: ~350
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg