Chicken Shawarma Salad Bowl (Printable)

Juicy spiced chicken over crisp greens with fresh vegetables and creamy garlic sauce. A healthy, flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 pound 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 (romaine, arugula, spinach)
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 alternative
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 coat thoroughly. Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes, preferably 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 cooked through. Transfer to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, grated garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt until well combined. Add water gradually to achieve desired consistency, whisking until smooth.
04 - Divide mixed salad greens evenly among four serving bowls. Top each with halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, red onion slices, and chopped fresh parsley. Arrange sliced chicken over the vegetable mixture.
05 - Drizzle each bowl generously with prepared garlic sauce. Serve immediately while chicken remains warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The spice blend creates this incredible aromatic crust that makes even simple chicken thighs feel restaurant-special
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like it simmered all day
  • You get those perfect contrasting textures and temperatures, warm spiced chicken against crisp cool vegetables
02 -
  • Dont skip letting the chicken rest after cooking, those juices need time to redistribute or you'll end up with dry meat
  • Grating the garlic directly into the yogurt sauce releases way more flavor than mincing, and you won't hit any harsh chunks
  • The sauce thickens as it sits, so thin it right before serving with another splash of water or lemon juice
03 -
  • Pat the chicken dry before adding the marinade, otherwise the spices won't adhere properly and you'll lose all that flavor in the pan
  • Let your skillet get properly hot before adding the chicken, that sizzle is what creates the beautiful charred edges
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