Chicken Shawarma Salad Bowl (Printable)

Tender spiced chicken atop crisp greens with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and creamy garlic sauce in a 35-minute bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp ground coriander
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
09 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
10 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
11 - 3/4 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Salad

13 - 6 cups mixed salad greens
14 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
15 - 1 large cucumber, diced
16 - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
17 - 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Garlic Sauce

18 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
19 - 1 clove garlic, finely grated
20 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
21 - 1 tbsp olive oil
22 - 1/4 tsp salt
23 - 1 tbsp water

# Directions:

01 - Combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor.
02 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side until well browned and cooked through. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, grated garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Add water gradually to reach desired consistency.
04 - Divide salad greens among four bowls. Top each with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and parsley. Arrange sliced chicken over the greens.
05 - Drizzle garlic sauce over each bowl and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The spice rub creates restaurant-quality flavor in under 35 minutes without any special equipment
  • Everything comes together in one pan while the vegetables stay crisp and fresh
  • The quick garlic sauce tastes like it simmered for hours but takes literally two minutes
02 -
  • Crowding the pan will steam the chicken instead of searing it, so cook in batches if necessary
  • Letting the chicken rest for even five minutes makes a huge difference in juiciness
  • The garlic sauce needs at least 10 minutes in the refrigerator for flavors to meld
03 -
  • Grate your garlic instead of mincing it for the sauce to avoid harsh raw chunks
  • Slice the chicken against the grain for the most tender texture
Return