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A chicken shawarma bowl is a flavorful, Middle Eastern-inspired dish made with marinated grilled chicken served over rice, then topped with fresh veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers, tangy pickled vegetables, and a generous drizzle of creamy garlic sauce.
It’s rich in lean protein from the chicken, complex carbohydrates from the rice, and packed with vitamins and fiber from the fresh vegetables, making it a well-balanced, nutritious meal.
This easy chicken shawarma bowl recipe serves four, making it perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or casual weeknight meals, and the best part? It all comes together in under an hour.
Leftovers make an excellent grab-and-go lunch; just pack the components separately and assemble when you’re ready to eat.
For this recipe, we grilled the marinated chicken, but you can also bake it; both methods are outlined in the cooking instructions.
Best of all, chicken shawarma bowls are customizable. If you’re not into rice, simply swap it out for a bed of fresh greens, and feel free to add extras like avocado or Kalamata olives.
✅ Take a moment to read through the whole post for the ingredient list, expert tips, and equipment suggestions. The full recipe is right below!
Key Ingredients for This Chicken Shawarma Bowl Recipe
Here are the key ingredients you will need to make this chicken shawarma rice bowl:
1. Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Chicken thighs are often preferred for shawarma because their higher fat content ensures they remain incredibly juicy and flavorful, even with high-heat cooking like grilling.
- They absorb the marinade beautifully, becoming tender and infused with all those aromatic spices.
- If you opt for chicken breast, it’s a leaner choice, but requires more careful cooking to prevent it from drying out.
- Slicing the chicken into thin strips maximizes the surface area for the marinade to work its magic and ensures quick, even cooking.
2. Basmati or Jasmine Rice
- These long-grain rice varieties are preferred for their fragrant aroma and distinct, fluffy texture when cooked properly.
- They provide a light, absorbent base that perfectly soaks up the juices from the chicken and the creamy garlic sauce, creating a harmonious bite.
3. Fresh Vegetables
- A fresh mix of lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion brings essential freshness, crunch, vibrant color, and balance to the bowl.
- Lettuce adds cool crispness, tomatoes offer juicy sweetness, cucumber brings a refreshing bite, and red onion adds sharpness and a pop of color.
4. Garlic
- Garlic is non-negotiable for shawarma. In the marinade, it infuses the chicken with its pungent, aromatic notes.
- Fresh, finely minced garlic provides a sharp, vibrant kick that is the hallmark of the garlic sauce, balancing the richness of the mayonnaise and lifting the entire dish.
5. Cumin and Coriander
- These form the earthy, foundational notes, instantly transporting you to Middle Eastern flavors.
6. Smoked Paprika
- Adds depth, a beautiful reddish hue, and a subtle smokiness that mimics the traditional slow-roasted spit.
7. Turmeric
- Contributes vibrant color and a mild, earthy bitterness that balances the other spices.
8. Allspice and Cinnamon
- Used in small amounts, these provide a crucial warmth and exotic aroma, adding complexity without being overwhelming.
- They are the “secret” ingredients that elevate the chicken shawarma bowl from just spiced chicken to truly authentic.
9. Cayenne Pepper
- Offers a gentle kick, allowing you to customize the heat level to your preference.
10. Fresh Lemon Juice
- Beyond just adding a bright, zesty flavor, lemon juice is a crucial tenderizer for the chicken in the marinade.
- Its acidity helps to break down the proteins, ensuring the chicken is succulent.
- In the garlic sauce, it cuts through the richness, and as a final squeeze over the finished bowl, it brightens all the flavors.
11. Pickled Cucumbers
- The sharp, tangy, and sometimes salty acidity of the pickles cuts through the richness of the chicken and sauce, cleanses the palate, and adds a delightful pop of flavor and crunch.
12. Mayonnaise (for Garlic Sauce)
- While traditional Toum is made with oil and garlic, a mayonnaise base offers a wonderfully convenient and stable shortcut to a creamy, rich garlic sauce.
- It provides the perfect vehicle for the intense garlic and lemon flavors, adding a luscious texture that binds the bowl together.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need for Chicken Shawarma Bowls
Having the right kitchen tools on hand will make it easier to prepare chicken shawarma bowls:
- Large Mixing Bowl: This is primarily for marinating your chicken and thoroughly tossing the chicken pieces with the spices and liquids, ensuring every piece is evenly coated.
- Small Bowl: Perfect for whisking together your creamy garlic sauce. A smaller bowl allows for more efficient whisking and easier emulsification.
- Chef knife & Cutting Board: A sharp knife and sturdy cutting board are crucial for slicing the chicken, chopping vegetables, and preparing fresh garnishes.
- Measuring Cups & Spoons: To ensure the perfect balance of spices and other ingredients, precise measuring tools are a must.
- Whisk: Essential for vigorously combining the marinade ingredients until smooth and well-integrated, and for emulsifying the garlic sauce, ensuring it’s creamy and lump-free.
- Rice Cooker or Large Pot: For perfectly cooked rice that serves as the base of your bowl, use a rice cooker or a pot with a tight-fitting lid to maintain texture and flavor.
- Tongs: Essential for flipping the chicken and stirring the rice, tongs help keep your food intact while cooking.
- Garlic Press or Microplane Grater: For extremely fine minced garlic, especially for the sauce. This ensures the garlic flavor is well distributed without chunky bits.
- Grill or Grill Pan: If you’re going for a grilled chicken shawarma bowl, an outdoor grill or an indoor grill pan provides that smoky char and beautiful grill marks.
- Fine-Mesh Sieve (Strainer): For rinsing the rice to remove excess starch, which is key to achieving fluffy rice that doesn’t clump together.
- Large Baking Sheet: If you prefer to bake your chicken, a large baking sheet (preferably rimmed) is needed to spread the chicken in a single layer for even cooking and browning.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Shawarma Rice Bowl
This shawarma chicken bowl is a nutrient powerhouse offering a balance of essential health benefits:
1. High-Quality Protein
- Chicken, especially boneless, skinless chicken, is an excellent source of lean protein.
- Protein is vital for building and repairing muscle tissue, producing enzymes and hormones, and keeping you feeling full and satisfied, which can aid in weight management.
2. Complex Carbohydrates
- The rice provides complex carbohydrates, which are the body’s primary source of sustained energy.
- Unlike simple sugars, complex carbs are digested slowly, preventing sharp spikes in blood sugar.
3. Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
This shawarma chicken bowl is a kaleidoscope of essential micronutrients:
- Vitamin C: From the lemon juice, tomatoes, and some of the green vegetables, supporting immune function and skin health.
- Vitamin K: Plentiful in leafy greens like lettuce and fresh herbs, important for blood clotting and bone health.
- Potassium: Found in chicken and vegetables, vital for maintaining fluid balance and blood pressure.
- Iron: Present in chicken, crucial for oxygen transport in the blood and preventing fatigue.
- B Vitamins: From the chicken and rice, essential for energy metabolism.
- Antioxidants: Many of the spices (turmeric, paprika) and fresh vegetables contain antioxidants that help protect cells from damage.
4. Healthy Fats
- Olive oil, used in the marinade and for cooking, provides monounsaturated fats, which are heart-healthy and can help lower bad cholesterol levels.
5. High in Fiber
- Thanks to the generous serving of fresh vegetables, these chicken shawarma bowls are naturally high in fiber. This supports healthy digestion, helps manage blood sugar levels, and promotes a feeling of fullness.
6. Low in Sugars
- This dish is naturally low in added sugars, making it a great choice for those looking to manage blood sugar levels or on a sugar free diet that want reduce their overall sugar intake.
7. Gluten Free
- The chicken shawarma bowl recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease or on a gluten-free diet.
What to Serve With Chicken Shawarma Bowl
If you’d rather skip the rice, you can easily customize your chicken shawarma bowl with one of the following alternatives:
- Warm Pita Bread or Naan: For scooping up the delicious chicken, rice, and sauce. Soft, warm bread is a classic pairing with any Middle Eastern dish and adds a comforting, carb-y element.
- Hummus: A classic Middle Eastern dip that complements the flavors perfectly. It adds extra protein, fiber, and a creamy texture.
- Tabbouleh Salad: This fresh, herby salad made with bulgur, parsley, mint, tomatoes, and lemon dressing complements the bowl by adding texture and a burst of freshness.
- Falafel: If you want to add another layer of texture and flavor, crispy falafel balls (homemade or store-bought) are a fantastic addition, offering an earthy, savory contrast.
- Baba Ghanoush: For another delicious dip option, this smoky eggplant dip provides a different flavor profile that pairs wonderfully with the chicken and vegetables.
- Fresh Green Salad: A simple mixed greens salad dressed lightly with olive oil and lemon can further enhance the nutritional profile of your meal.
- Spicy Harissa or Chili Sauce: For those who love an extra kick, a drizzle of spicy harissa or chili sauce adds heat and depth to the dish, perfectly complementing the savory flavors of the chicken and rice.
Tips for the Perfect Grilled Chicken Shawarma Bowl
For your perfectly baked or grilled chicken shawarma bowls, pay close attention to these details:
1. Don’t Rush the Marinade
- While 30 minutes is the minimum for the spices to cling, true flavor penetration happens over time.
- Aim for at least 4 hours, and ideally, let your chicken strips luxuriate in that aromatic spice bath overnight (8-12 hours) in the refrigerator.
- This not only deepens the flavor but also helps tenderize the chicken, making it incredibly succulent when cooked.
2. Use Fresh Spices
- Old, stale spices are flavorless dust. Invest in high-quality, fresh spices.
- You should be able to smell their distinct aroma when you open the jar.
- For an extra layer of flavor, briefly toast whole cumin and coriander seeds in a dry pan before grinding them for the marinade.
3. High Heat Sear
- Whether grilling or baking, ensure your cooking surface is adequately hot and not overcrowded to achieve the perfect char.
- If using a grill pan, don’t move the chicken too soon; let it sit undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes to develop a beautiful crust before flipping.
- For baking, consider a quick broil at the very end to get some nice browning while watching it like a hawk to prevent burning.
4. Finely Mince the Garlic
- For that silky-smooth, potent garlic sauce, the garlic must be minced as finely as possible.
- Use a garlic press, a microplane grater, or mince it into a paste with the side of your knife.
Final Remarks
With tender, spice-marinated chicken, crisp fresh veggies, tangy pickles, and that irresistible drizzle of creamy garlic sauce, this chicken shawarma bowl brings bold Middle Eastern flavors together in one nourishing, healthy dish.
Feel free to customize this recipe, swap the rice for quinoa, cauliflower rice, or greens, and add extras like sliced avocado, kalamata olives, hummus, or feta to suit your taste.
Pair your bowls with warm pita and hummus, a bright tabbouleh salad, or even crispy roasted eggplant for a full Mediterranean feast that satisfies every craving.
If you give this recipe a try, we’d love to hear how it turned out, share your twists, or drop your thoughts in the comments.
Find the complete recipe ingredients and step-by-step cooking instructions just below.
Healthy Chicken Shawarma Bowl with Garlic Sauce
Description
This easy chicken shawarma bowl recipe serves four and features juicy grilled chicken, fluffy rice, crisp veggies, tangy pickles, and creamy garlic sauce for a wholesome and healthy meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Shawarma
For the Fluffy Rice
For the Fresh Vegetables
For the Creamy Garlic Sauce
How To Make Chicken Shawarma Bowls (Step-By-Step Instructions)
Prepare the Chicken
- If using chicken thighs, trim any excess fat.
- Slice both chicken thighs and breasts into uniform 1/2-inch strips.
- Aim for consistency so they cook evenly.
Mix the Marinade
- In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, cayenne pepper, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper.
- Give it a good whisk until everything is well combined and fragrant.
Marinate the Chicken
- Add the sliced chicken to the marinade, tossing thoroughly to ensure every piece is coated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- For truly spectacular flavor, aim for 2 to 4 hours, or even overnight if you have the time.
Rinse the Rice
- Place your rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear.
- This removes excess starch, leading to fluffier grains.
Cook the Rice
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, water or chicken broth, olive oil, and salt.
- Boil the rice over medium-high heat.
Simmer and Rest the Rice
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan tightly.
- Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Do NOT lift the lid during this process.
- Once cooked, remove from heat and let it rest, still covered, for 10 minutes.
- This allows the steam to redistribute, making the rice even fluffier.
Fluff and Season the Rice
- After resting, gently fluff the rice with a fork.
- Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley.
Option 1: Grilling
Preheat Grill
- Preheat your outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat (around 375 to 400°F or 190 to 200°C).
- Lightly oil the grates.
Grill the Chicken
- Arrange the marinated chicken strips in a single layer on the hot grill.
- Do not overcrowd the grill; cook in batches if necessary.
- Grill for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until beautifully charred and cooked through with no pink remaining.
- The exact time will depend on the thickness of your chicken strips.
Rest the Grilled Chicken
- Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing further if desired.
- This keeps the meat juicy.
Option 2: Baking
Preheat Oven
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Spread Chicken Strips
- Spread the marinated chicken strips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Ensure they aren't overcrowded to allow for even cooking and browning.
Bake the Chicken
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned.
- For extra char, you can briefly broil for the last 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Rest the Chicken
- Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes.
Prepare the Garlic Sauce
- In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, finely minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
- Whisk vigorously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- If the sauce is too thick, add cold water, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired pouring consistency.
- Taste and adjust salt and lemon juice if needed.
Assemble the Chicken Shawarma Bowls
- Divide the fluffy rice evenly among four serving bowls, creating a generous base.
- Arrange a good portion of the cooked chicken shawarma strips over the rice.
- Arrange the chopped lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion around the chicken and rice.
- Scatter the sliced pickled cucumbers and green olives over the bowl.
- Drizzle generously with your homemade creamy garlic sauce.
- Finish with fresh sprigs of parsley and cilantro for color and extra aroma.
- Serve with a lemon wedge on the side for an extra squeeze of brightness.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
Serving Size 1 large bowl (about 450 g)
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 550kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 25g39%
- Saturated Fat 5g25%
- Cholesterol 100mg34%
- Sodium 730mg31%
- Potassium 650mg19%
- Total Carbohydrate 45g15%
- Dietary Fiber 6g24%
- Sugars 4g
- Protein 35g70%
- Vitamin A 900 IU
- Vitamin C 25 mg
- Calcium 70 mg
- Iron 3 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavorful and tender it becomes.
- Cook chicken until just done to avoid dryness. A meat thermometer should read 165°F (74°C).
- Properly rinsing rice is essential for that perfect, fluffy texture.
- A hot grill ensures those desirable char marks and locks in the juices.
- Use your favorite seasonal vegetables to add extra crunch and nutrition.
- If your garlic sauce is too thick, a splash of water can help achieve the ideal consistency.
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