Healthy Chicken Shawarma Bowl (Printable)
Marinated chicken with fresh vegetables and tahini sauce over grains.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken & Marinade
01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tsp ground cumin
04 - 2 tsp ground coriander
05 - 2 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1 tsp ground turmeric
07 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
09 - Juice of 1 lemon
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
→ Shawarma Bowl Base
12 - 2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa
13 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - 1 large cucumber, diced
15 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
16 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
17 - 1 cup mixed salad greens
18 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
→ Tahini Yogurt Sauce
19 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
20 - 2 tbsp tahini
21 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
22 - 1 clove garlic, minced
23 - 2 tbsp water
24 - Salt and pepper to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine olive oil, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
02 - Heat a non-stick skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook marinated chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through and lightly charred. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
03 - Divide cooked brown rice or quinoa evenly among 4 serving bowls. Arrange cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red cabbage, red onion, salad greens, and fresh parsley in sections over the grain base.
04 - Whisk together Greek yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, and water in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting consistency with additional water if needed.
05 - Top each bowl with warm sliced chicken. Drizzle generously with prepared tahini yogurt sauce. Garnish with extra fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while chicken is still warm.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The tahini yogurt sauce is creamy and tangy without being heavy
- Meal prep friendly, the flavors actually get better after a day
- Packed with protein and fresh vegetables but tastes like comfort food
02 -
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing or the juices will run everywhere
- The tahini sauce can seize up at first, just keep whisking and it'll smooth out
03 -
- Grate the garlic instead of mincing it for a more intense flavor that distributes evenly
- Let the chicken marinate overnight if you have time, it makes such a difference