Chicken Shawarma Bowl with Creamy Garlic Sauce
Juicy, spiced chicken thighs are roasted until golden, then served over rice with crisp vegetables and drizzled with a luscious creamy garlic sauce. This bowl is colorful, balanced, and full of Mediterranean flair.
Time
Prep time: 20 minutes
Marinate time: 30 minutes (or up to overnight)
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings:4
Ingredients
For the Chicken Shawarma:
1 ½ lbs boneless chicken thighs (or breasts)
3 tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp cayenne
Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the Creamy Garlic Sauce:
½ cup Greek yogurt (or mayo for richer version)
2 tbsp tahini (optional, for nutty depth)
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt & pepper, to taste
2–3 tbsp water (to thin, as needed)
For the Bowl Base & Toppings:
2 cups cooked basmati or jasmine rice
1 cup cucumber, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup shredded lettuce or arugula
½ cup hummus
Fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and all spices.
Add chicken, toss well, cover, and marinate at least 30 minutes (overnight is best).
2. Cook the Chicken
Oven Method (easy): Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange chicken on a sheet pan and roast 20–25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Broil last 2 minutes for char.
Grill/Skillet Method: Cook on medium-high heat 5–7 minutes per side until charred and cooked through.
Rest 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
3. Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce
Whisk Greek yogurt, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Add a little water until drizzle consistency.
4. Build the Bowls
Add rice (or grain of choice) as the base.
Layer chicken, cucumber, tomato, onion, and lettuce.
Add a spoon of hummus.
Drizzle with creamy garlic sauce and garnish with parsley or cilantro.
Serving Suggestions
Swap rice for cauliflower rice for a lighter bowl.
Add roasted chickpeas or falafel for extra protein and crunch.
Serve with warm pita bread on the side.
Tips & Notes
Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts, but both work.
For meal prep, keep sauce separate until serving.
Quick pickle your onions (red onion + lemon juice + pinch of salt, 15 min) for an authentic touch.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 590
Protein: 38g
Carbs: 46g
Fat: 26g
Fiber: 6g
Sugars: 6g