Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1½ lbs (700 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Bowls
- 3 cups cooked rice (basmati or jasmine)
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp salt
Optional Toppings
- Pickled onions
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Hummus
- Olives
- Tahini sauce
Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
- In a large bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and all spices.
- Add chicken and coat thoroughly.
- Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2–8 hours.
2. Cook the Chicken
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Cook chicken for 5–7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and slightly charred.
- Rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
3. Make the Sauce
- Mix yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and salt in a small bowl.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Assemble the Bowls
- Divide rice among serving bowls.
- Arrange chicken, cucumber, tomato, onion, and lettuce on top.
- Drizzle with garlic yogurt sauce.
- Garnish with parsley and any optional toppings.
Tips for the Best Shawarma Bowls
- Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness and flavor.
- Marinate overnight for deeper spice penetration.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like heat.
- Cook the chicken in a very hot pan to create authentic shawarma-style browning.
- Prepare vegetables and sauce ahead of time for quick meal prep.
- For a lower-carb option, replace rice with lettuce, cauliflower rice, or mixed greens.
- Serve with warm pita bread on the side for a complete meal.
Yield
Serves 4 people.
Prep Time
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Marinate: 30 minutes to 8 hours
- Cook: 15 minutes
- Total Active Time: 30 minutes
Enjoy a restaurant-style Chicken Shawarma Bowl that’s fresh, hearty, and packed with Middle Eastern flavors. 🍽️
