Chicken Shawarma Bowls

Serves 4 · Prep 20 min plus marinating · Cook about 25 min

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil, plus more for cooking
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 garlic cloves, finely grated
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp smoked or sweet paprika
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
• 1 1/2 cups long-grain or basmati rice
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric (for the rice)
• 2 1/4 cups water or stock
• 2 Persian cucumbers, diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1/4 small red onion, finely chopped
• Handful of parsley, chopped
• Pickles, hummus and garlic or tahini sauce, to serve

Instructions

1. Mix the oil, lemon juice, garlic, spices and salt. Coat the chicken and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. Rinse the rice, then simmer it with the turmeric, water or stock and a pinch of salt, covered, for about 15 minutes. Rest 5 minutes off the heat and fluff.
3. Cook the chicken in a hot, lightly oiled skillet for 5 to 6 minutes per side, until browned and 165°F (74°C) inside. Rest, then slice.
4. Toss the cucumber, tomato, onion and parsley with a squeeze of lemon, a drizzle of oil and a pinch of salt.
5. Build each bowl: rice, chicken, salad, pickles and a spoonful of hummus. Finish with sauce.

Tips

• Prep the parts separately. Keep rice, chicken, salad and sauce in separate containers so nothing gets soggy.
• Sauce on the side. Add garlic or tahini sauce just before eating.
• Short on time? Use leftover chicken shawarma or our air fryer version.

Variations

• Low-carb: swap the rice for chopped romaine or cauliflower rice.
• Vegetarian: use roasted cauliflower shawarma instead of chicken.

Storage

Assembled without sauce, bowls keep in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat the chicken and rice, then add the cold salad and sauce.

Serve it with

• Air fryer chicken shawarma for a faster protein
• Cauliflower shawarma for a vegetarian bowl
• Tahini sauce or garlic sauce to finish
• More ideas: what to serve with shawarma