Healthy Chicken Shawarma Bowl (Printer-friendly)

Marinated spiced 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 Guide:

01 - Combine olive oil, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add sliced chicken and toss to coat thoroughly. Marinate for 15 minutes or up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor.
02 - Heat a non-stick skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook marinated chicken 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through with light charring. Remove from heat, let rest 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
03 - Divide cooked brown rice or quinoa evenly among 4 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.
05 - Top each bowl with hot sliced chicken. Drizzle generously with tahini yogurt sauce. Serve immediately with extra parsley garnish if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The spice blend creates that addictive shawarma flavor you usually only find at restaurants
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes with minimal cleanup
  • You can prep components ahead and assemble bowls all week long
02 -
  • Dont skip the resting time for the chicken or the juices will escape when you cut it
  • The tahini sauce might seize at first but keep whisking and it will emulsify beautifully
  • Warm the cooked grains before assembling so everything stays satisfyingly hot
03 -
  • Use a mortar and pestle to grind whole spices for the most vibrant flavor
  • Let the marinated chicken come to room temperature before cooking for even searing

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