Healthy Chicken Shawarma Bowl (Printer-friendly)

Marinated spiced chicken with fresh vegetables and creamy tahini sauce over wholesome 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 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - ½ 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 - ½ red onion, thinly sliced
17 - 1 cup mixed salad greens
18 - ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

→ Tahini Yogurt Sauce

19 - ½ 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 Prepare:

01 - Combine olive oil, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add sliced chicken and toss thoroughly to coat. Let 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 atop the grain base in sections for visual appeal.
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, adding more water if needed for desired consistency.
05 - Top each bowl with warm sliced chicken. Drizzle generously with tahini yogurt sauce. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with additional fresh parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its meal prep magic that actually tastes better the next day
  • The tahini sauce makes everything taste like a restaurant treat
  • You can customize every bowl to match whatever mood youre in
02 -
  • Marinating overnight transforms this from good to cant stop eating it
  • Letting the chicken rest before slicing is the difference between juicy and dry
  • The sauce needs at least 10 minutes in the fridge for flavors to meld
03 -
  • Double the sauce recipe and thank yourself later when you want it on everything
  • Get your pan properly hot before adding chicken for those restaurant-quality char marks