Spiced Chicken Shawarma Salad Bowl (Printable)

Tender spiced chicken over crisp greens with fresh vegetables and creamy garlic sauce. A healthy, flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired bowl ready in 35 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

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

→ Quick Garlic Sauce

18 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or non-dairy yogurt
19 - 1 clove garlic, finely grated
20 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
21 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
22 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
23 - 1 tablespoon water

# Directions:

01 - Combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Add chicken thighs and toss thoroughly to coat. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor development.
02 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken thighs and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
03 - Whisk together Greek yogurt, finely grated garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt in a small bowl. Add water gradually to achieve desired consistency. Adjust seasoning to taste.
04 - Divide mixed salad greens evenly among four serving bowls. Top each with halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced red onion, and fresh chopped parsley.
05 - Arrange sliced chicken over the assembled salad components. Drizzle generously with garlic sauce and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The spice blend creates that authentic shawarma flavor you usually only get at restaurants, but it comes together in minutes with pantry staples
  • You get that perfect contrast of warm spiced chicken, cool crisp vegetables, and creamy tangy sauce in every single forkful
  • Everything can be prepped ahead so you can assemble these bowls in under five minutes on busy weeknights
02 -
  • Make sure your skillet is properly hot before adding the chicken, or youll miss out on that gorgeous brown crust that provides texture in every bite
  • Grating the garlic for the sauce instead of mincing it releases more flavor and prevents any harsh raw garlic chunks
  • The sauce thickens as it sits, so thin it right before serving with a splash of water or lemon juice
03 -
  • Dont crowd the pan when cooking the chicken or it will steam instead of sear, working in batches if necessary
  • Taste and adjust your sauce before serving—some garlic cloves are punchier than others, and you want that perfect balance
  • Warm your pita bread in a dry skillet for thirty seconds per side for that authentic street-stand warmth
Return