Chicken Shawarma Bowls with Tahini Drizzle
Spiced grilled chicken thigh served over rice and crisp vegetables, finished with a creamy tahini drizzle for a full bowl meal.
Real shawarma is built on a spit, but the flavor lives in the spice rub — cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and a whisper of cinnamon — and that rub translates perfectly to a skillet or grill pan at home. Here it goes on chicken thighs, which get sliced over rice and crisp vegetables and finished with a loose tahini sauce instead of a heavier garlic mayo.
Because the bowl centers on seared chicken thigh with tahini rather than fried meat and creamy sauce, it lands as a genuinely high-protein plate, which makes it a solid option for anyone eating with fitness or muscle-maintenance goals in mind. Swap in quinoa for the rice if you want extra texture, and keep the vegetables cold and crunchy for contrast against the warm chicken.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into strips
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the bowls
- 2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 cup diced tomato
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice — for the sauce
- 1 small clove garlic, grated — for the sauce
- water, to thin
- 1 pinch salt — for the sauce
These ingredients are common at Middle Eastern grocers; a well-stocked international supermarket usually carries them too.
Instructions
- 1In a bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, and salt. Add chicken and toss to coat; marinate 30 minutes.
- 2Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat; cook chicken 5-7 minutes per side until charred and cooked through (165°F internal). Slice.
- 3Whisk tahini sauce ingredients together, adding water 1 tbsp at a time until pourable.
- 4Divide rice, lettuce, cucumber, and tomato among 4 bowls.
- 5Top with sliced chicken and drizzle generously with tahini sauce.