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chicken shawarma bowl

Chicken Shawarma Bowl

A healthy and delicious chicken shawarma bowl featuring spiced chicken, fresh vegetables, and creamy sauces, perfect for a quick meal or lunch prep.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

For the marinade
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the bowl
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 cups cooked Basmati rice or quinoa for base
  • 1 cup diced cucumbers
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
  • to taste Hummus, tzatziki, or tahini sauce for drizzling

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
  2. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss until every piece is well-coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
Cook the Chicken
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a splash of oil if needed.
  2. Add the chicken to the pan in a single layer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has nice charred edges.
Assemble the Bowls
  1. While the chicken cooks, prepare your base of rice or quinoa and chop your fresh vegetables.
  2. To assemble, place a scoop of rice in each bowl.
  3. Top with a generous portion of the cooked chicken.
  4. Add the cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and red onions to the side.
  5. Garnish with fresh parsley and a big dollop of hummus or a drizzle of your favorite yogurt-based sauce.
  6. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

For best results, use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for juiciness. Ensure your pan is very hot before adding chicken for crispiness. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping vegetables separate for best freshness.
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