Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad (Printable)
Spiced chicken with crispy rice and fresh vegetables in creamy tahini dressing
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken Shawarma
01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into strips
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
05 - 1 tsp ground corbiander
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - ½ tsp ground turmeric
08 - ½ tsp ground cinnamon
09 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - ½ tsp black pepper
12 - Juice of 1 lemon
→ Crispy Rice
13 - 2 cups cooked basmati rice, cooled
14 - 2 tbsp olive oil
15 - ½ tsp salt
→ Salad Components
16 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
17 - 1 large cucumber, diced
18 - ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
19 - 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
20 - ½ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
21 - ½ cup pomegranate seeds
→ Yogurt-Tahini Dressing
22 - ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
23 - 2 tbsp tahini
24 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
25 - 1 clove garlic, grated
26 - 1 tbsp olive oil
27 - Salt and pepper to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine olive oil, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, pepper, and lemon juice in a bowl. Add chicken strips and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes to 2 hours.
02 - Whisk together Greek yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, grated garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
03 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Spread cooked rice in an even layer and sprinkle with salt. Press gently and cook undisturbed for 7–10 minutes until golden crust forms. Flip to crisp additional edges, then transfer to plate.
04 - In the same skillet over medium-high heat, add a drizzle of oil. Cook marinated chicken for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through.
05 - Combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and pomegranate seeds in a large bowl. Add warm crispy rice and cooked shawarma chicken.
06 - Drizzle yogurt-tahini dressing over salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately, garnished with additional herbs or pomegranate seeds if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The contrast between warm spiced chicken, cool vegetables, and those incredible crispy rice bits makes every bite exciting
- It is one of those rare salads that actually leaves you feeling completely satisfied and comforted
02 -
- Getting the rice truly crispy requires patience and resisting the urge to stir too frequently
- The chicken needs direct contact with the hot pan to develop those flavorful browned bits
03 -
- Spread the rice in a thin even layer for maximum crispy surface area
- Let the chicken come to room temperature before cooking for more even browning