Chicken Shawarma Salad Bowl (Printable version)

A colorful Middle Eastern-inspired bowl with seasoned chicken, mixed greens, fresh vegetables, and creamy garlic sauce.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 or non-dairy 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

# How-To Steps:

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 coat thoroughly. 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. Cook marinated chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side until deeply browned and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
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.
04 - Divide mixed salad greens evenly among four bowls. Layer tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and parsley on each bed of greens. Arrange sliced chicken on top.
05 - Drizzle garlic sauce over each bowl and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get all those incredible street food flavors without the rotisserie setup
  • The garlic sauce comes together in seconds but makes everything taste restaurant-quality
02 -
  • Do not rush the marinade, even 15 minutes makes a huge difference in flavor penetration
  • Letting the chicken rest before slicing keeps all those juices inside where they belong
03 -
  • Pound the chicken thighs to even thickness before marinating for more consistent cooking
  • Grate the garlic directly into the yogurt sauce to avoid any harsh raw chunks
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