Chicken Shawarma Bowls

Name: Chicken Shawarma Bowls
Prep time: 1 h 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken thighs, boneless and skinless; 2 Tbsp olive oil; 1/2 large lemon, juiced; 2 garlic cloves, minced (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder); 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground coriander; 1/2 tsp ground paprika; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/4 tsp ground cloves; Optional for spice: 1/8-1/4 tsp cayenne; 1 cup Greek yogurt; 1 small lemon, juiced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 3 Tbsp chopped fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried dill); 1/4 rounded tsp salt, more to taste (I prefer 1/2 tsp); 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper; Water to thin if desired (you don’t need to); 3 cups cooked quinoa or rice (cook it in broth not water!); 1 large English cucumber, quartered; 1 bell pepper, de-seeded and roughly chopped; 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced; Fresh parsley for topping, if desired

Dinner, Gluten-Free, Lunch, Nut-Free June 1, 2023 3 comments By Christine Manes

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you. Please read my disclaimer page.

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·Leave a Review

What is shawarma?

Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern dish made from meat that is seasoned with spices, marinated, and then roasted on a vertical rotisserie (we’re sautéing ours in a pan for this recipe though!). It is typically served as a wrap, with the meat sliced thin and stuffed into pita bread, along with vegetables and sauce.

Why is this recipe a bowl?

I didn’t have pita bread on hand but wanted to make a shawarma dish so I decided to make a nourish bowl out of it instead! If you’re gluten-free, then you’re in luck because you get to eat the classic flavors of shawarma without the gluten. I used quinoa, but you can use rice or farro instead.

And of course, you can use this recipe but omit the quinoa and wrap the food in pita bread instead if that’s what you prefer!

What meat is used for shawarma?

The meat used in shawarma can vary, but it is usually lamb, beef, or chicken. The meat is typically marinated with a blend of spices such as cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and garlic, among others, which gives it its distinctive flavor. There are a lot of different combinations of spices you can make for shawarma actually, so every recipe you find will be a little unique!

What is it served with?

Shawarma is traditionally served with a variety of toppings and condiments, such as tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, pickles, and tahini sauce or garlic sauce. It is often garnished with fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro, and can be accompanied by side dishes like hummus or falafels.

What sauce is used for this recipe?

There’s a variety of sauces that you can use for shawarma. Some are simple yogurt sauces, while others are more complex and flavorful yogurt sauces. Then you also have the option for a tahini sauce. The sauce I made for this recipe is a more flavorful yogurt sauce that has lemon, garlic, and dill.