Enjoy a Flavorful Homemade Chicken Shawarma Bowl Tonight!

Chicken Shawarma has become a well-loved street food from the Middle East.

This version turns flavorful marinated chicken into a satisfying bowl, bringing traditional Mediterranean tastes to your table.

Packed with protein and full of flavor, these bowls mix tender spiced meat with fresh toppings and tangy sides.

Food fans enjoy how easy it is to turn classic shawarma into a meal you can make your own way.

The exciting mix of spices, herbs, and textures makes this dish hard to resist for many people.

Both beginners in the kitchen and cooking enthusiasts can whip up this restaurant-style meal using basic ingredients and simple steps.

Why Chicken Shawarma Bowls Are So Filling

• Speedy Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this delicious chicken shawarma bowl in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving restaurant-quality meals at home.
• Quick-Prep Culinary Adventure: Minimal cooking skills required, with simple steps that transform basic ingredients into a flavor-packed Mediterranean-inspired dish that impresses everyone at the table.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Build personal bowls with endless topping variations, accommodating different tastes and dietary preferences while keeping meal preparation stress-free and enjoyable.
• Nutrient-Rich Comfort Food: Protein-packed chicken, fresh vegetables, and wholesome rice combine to create a balanced meal that satisfies hunger and delivers essential nutrients in every delightful bite.

What You Need For Chicken Shawarma Bowls

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that's the star of the shawarma bowl, best when fresh and boneless.
• Yogurt: Helps tenderize and marinade the chicken, adds creamy tanginess.

• Lemon Juice, Olive Oil: Provides bright acidity and helps distribute spices.
• Garlic: Adds deep, aromatic flavor to the chicken.
• Spices (Cumin, Paprika, Oregano): Creates traditional shawarma flavor profile.

• White Rice: Neutral base that absorbs other flavors, quick-cooking variety recommended.

• Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Red Onion: Crisp vegetables that add freshness and color.
• Olives, Parsley: Mediterranean touches that enhance salad complexity.

• Hummus, Feta Cheese: Creamy Mediterranean additions with rich flavor.
• Pickled Onions: Tangy element that adds bright acidity.

• Lemon Juice, Vinegar, Olive Oil: Classic dressing for Mediterranean-style salad.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance overall flavor.

How To Make Chicken Shawarma Bowls At Home

Step 1: Prepare Perfect Rice

Rinse rice thoroughly until water becomes transparent

Grab a medium saucepan and bring water to a rolling boil with a small salt sprinkle

Gently introduce rice into boiling water

Reduce heat to low, cover the pan completely

Allow rice to simmer quietly for 15 minutes

Turn off heat, let rice rest covered for additional 5 minutes

Fluff rice delicately with a fork

Step 2: Create Flavorful Chicken

Slice chicken breasts horizontally for even cooking

• Plain yogurt
• Fresh lemon juice
• Cooking oil
• Minced garlic
• Aromatic spices

Massage marinade into chicken thoroughly

Heat large skillet to high temperature

Cook chicken 4-5 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked

Allow chicken to rest briefly

Slice into appealing bite-sized pieces

Step 3: Craft Zesty Mediterranean Salad

• Crisp cucumbers
• Ripe tomatoes
• Crunchy red onion
• Briny olives
• Fragrant parsley

Drizzle with zesty lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil

Toss ingredients together

Season with salt and pepper

Step 4: Build Delicious Bowls

Layer rice as foundation

Arrange sliced chicken shawarma

Scatter mediterranean salad

Add creamy hummus

Sprinkle crumbled feta

Garnish with pickled onions

Drizzle signature shawarma white sauce

Step 5: Savor Your Creation

Enjoy immediately while ingredients remain fresh and warm

Tips To Build Flavor In Chicken Shawarma Bowls

• Rinse Rice Thoroughly: Wash rice multiple times to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy and separated grains that don't become sticky or clumpy.
• Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Let chicken sit in yogurt and spice mixture for at least 30 minutes before cooking to enhance tenderness and infuse deep Mediterranean flavors.
• Control Chicken Cooking Temperature: Use high heat for a perfect golden-brown exterior while maintaining juicy, tender meat inside, checking internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Customize Salad Ingredients: Swap or add different fresh vegetables like bell peppers or radishes to personalize the salad and boost nutritional value.
• Prep Ahead for Quick Meals: Marinate chicken and chop vegetables in advance, making weeknight dinner assembly fast and stress-free.

How To Store Chicken Shawarma Bowls Properly

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken shawarma bowls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Separate wet and dry ingredients to prevent soggy rice.
• Reheat Chicken: Warm sliced chicken in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, adding a splash of water to prevent drying out. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
• Revive Rice: Sprinkle a few drops of water on rice before microwaving, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second bursts until warm and fluffy.
• Best Practice: Consume refrigerated components within 3 days for optimal taste and texture. Discard any leftovers showing signs of spoilage or unusual odors.

Great Pairings For Chicken Shawarma Bowls

• Crisp Mediterranean White Wine: Select a zesty Assyrtiko or Albariño to cut through the rich chicken and complement the tangy salad's bright flavors.
• Craft Spiced Arak Cocktail: Mix traditional Middle Eastern anise-flavored spirit with cold water, creating a refreshing drink that balances the shawarma's robust spices.
• Cooling Cucumber Mint Yogurt Drink: Blend fresh yogurt, cucumber, mint, and a touch of salt for a traditional Arabic beverage that soothes the palate and matches the bowl's creamy elements.
• Fresh Pomegranate Spritzer: Combine pomegranate juice, sparkling water, and a hint of lime for a vibrant, fruity drink that echoes the salad's freshness and adds colorful complexity.

Easy Swaps In Chicken Shawarma Bowls

• Vegetarian Mediterranean Bowl: Replace chicken with grilled tofu or roasted chickpeas marinated in shawarma spices for a protein-packed plant-based alternative.
• Cauliflower Rice Option: Swap traditional rice with low-carb cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly and gluten-free version that maintains the authentic Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Quinoa Power Bowl: Substitute rice with protein-rich quinoa to boost nutritional value and create a hearty grain base that complements the shawarma spices.
• Vegan Transformation: Use plant-based yogurt for marinating, replace chicken with crispy roasted jackfruit, and swap feta with dairy-free cashew cheese to create a completely vegan Mediterranean bowl.

Chicken Shawarma Bowls Questions Answered

• What are the key spices used in chicken shawarma?

The key spices include cumin, paprika, turmeric, garlic powder, and sometimes cardamom, which create the signature warm and complex Middle Eastern flavor profile for the chicken.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work perfectly for shawarma. They’re often more flavorful and tender, and can be cooked using the same marinating and cooking method as chicken breasts.

• How do I get the best flavor when marinating the chicken?

Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but preferably 2-4 hours in the refrigerator. The yogurt helps tenderize the meat while the spices infuse deep flavor into the chicken.

• Is this recipe considered healthy?

Chicken shawarma bowls are relatively healthy, offering lean protein from chicken, complex carbohydrates from rice, and fresh vegetables. The yogurt marinade and olive oil provide healthy fats, making it a balanced meal.

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• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor Middle Eastern magic with these Chicken Shawarma Bowls, where marinated chicken dances atop fluffy rice and crisp vegetables. Zesty spices and fresh herbs create a Mediterranean feast that transports palates straight to the bustling streets of Lebanon.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Rice and Liquid:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1.75 cups water
• 1 pinch salt

Chicken Marinade and Spices:

• 4 tablespoons Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon allspice or 7 spice
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Salad Ingredients:

• 3–4 Persian cucumbers, chopped
• 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
• 0.25 red onion, chopped
• 0.25 cup olives of choice
• 2 tablespoons minced parsley
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Serving Accompaniments:

• Hummus
• Shawarma white sauce
• Feta cheese
• Pickled red onions or favorite pickles

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Instructions

1. Cleanse rice kernels thoroughly until water becomes transparent, ensuring no residual starch remains.
2. Transfer rice to medium saucepan, incorporating water and minimal salt, bringing liquid to vigorous boil.
3. Introduce rice, allow return to boiling point, then reduce thermal intensity, securing lid tightly.
4. Maintain gentle simmer for quarter-hour, subsequently extinguish heat, allowing residual warmth to complete cooking process.
5. Delicately separate rice grains using fork, preserving optimal texture and temperature.
6. Meticulously slice chicken breasts into uniform horizontal segments, promoting even cooking and consistent thickness.
7. Combine protein with tangy yogurt, citrus essence, aromatic oil, minced garlic, and robust spice blend, ensuring comprehensive marinade coverage.
8. Activate cooking surface to maximum thermal setting, strategically positioning marinated chicken.
9. Sear protein approximately 4-5 minutes per side, confirming internal temperature reaches safe 165°F threshold.
10. Allow chicken momentary resting period, then dissect into appetizing bite-sized morsels.
11. Combine crisp cucumber, vibrant tomatoes, pungent red onion, briny olives, and fresh parsley in preparation vessel.
12. Enhance vegetable medley with citrus juice, acidic vinegar, and luxurious olive oil, seasoning judiciously with salt and pepper.
13. Construct culinary composition by layering rice foundation, crowning with succulent shawarma chicken.
14. Embellish with zesty salad, creamy hummus, crumbled feta, pickled onion garnish, and signature white sauce drizzle.
15. Present immediately, inviting immediate gustatory enjoyment.

Notes

• Rinse rice thoroughly to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy and separated grains for a perfect texture.
• Use a meat thermometer to check chicken’s internal temperature, preventing overcooking and maintaining juicy, tender meat.
• Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes or overnight to enhance flavor and create a more authentic shawarma experience.
• Customize the bowl for dietary needs by substituting rice with cauliflower rice for low-

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 37 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg