Middle Eastern Shawarma Bowl Delight (Print Version)

A nourishing bowl of shawarma chicken, rice, and fresh veggies topped with tahini.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken Shawarma

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tsp ground cumin
04 - 2 tsp ground coriander
05 - 1.5 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1 tsp ground turmeric
07 - 1 tsp ground allspice
08 - 1 tsp garlic powder
09 - 0.5 tsp chili powder
10 - 1.5 tsp salt
11 - Juice of 1 lemon

→ Rice

12 - 1 cup basmati rice
13 - 1.7 cups water
14 - 0.5 tsp salt

→ Tahini Sauce

15 - 2.8 oz tahini
16 - Juice of 1 lemon
17 - 2 tbsp water, plus more as needed
18 - 1 clove garlic, finely grated
19 - 0.5 tsp salt

→ Salad & Toppings

20 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
21 - 1 cucumber, diced
22 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
23 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
24 - 0.5 cup fresh parsley, chopped
25 - 4 small pita breads (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a bowl, combine olive oil, spices, salt, and lemon juice. Add chicken and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to overnight in the fridge.
02 - Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. In a saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 12 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and water until smooth and creamy. Add additional water 1 tsp at a time if a thinner consistency is desired.
04 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
05 - Divide rice among four bowls. Top with sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, lettuce, and parsley. Drizzle generously with tahini sauce. Serve with pita bread if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • This bowl is a balanced meal, bursting with flavor and colors that brighten your day.
  • It's incredibly versatile; swap out the chicken for chickpeas or tofu to make it your own.
02 -
  • Marinating the chicken overnight makes a huge difference in tenderness and flavor.
  • Adding pickled vegetables brings a refreshing tang that beautifully balances the richness of the sauce.
03 -
  • Using fresh spices can elevate the taste significantly.
  • A little lemon zest in the tahini sauce can take it to a whole new level.
Go Back