Ingredients
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a moment to gather everything you need. The good news? You probably already have many of these ingredients in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need to whip up your own delicious chicken shawarma rice bowl:
For the Chicken Marinade:
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts, but thighs are juicier!)
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Garlic (fresh minced)
- Ground cumin
- Ground paprika
- Ground turmeric
- Ground coriander
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground allspice
- Ground black pepper
- Salt
For the Rice:
- Basmati rice (or any long-grain rice of your choice)
- Water
- Olive oil
- Salt
For the Vegetables and Toppings:
- Cucumbers, diced
- Tomatoes, diced
- Red onion, thinly sliced
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lettuce (romaine or your preferred variety)
- Hummus (optional)
- Pine nuts or slivered almonds (for extra crunch)
For the Sauce:
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Tahini
- Lemon juice
- Garlic (minced)
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Now that we have everything in place, let’s walk through the steps to create this mouthwatering chicken shawarma rice bowl.
Preparing the Chicken Shawarma
So, how do we bring that iconic shawarma flavor to life? The answer is in the marinade! This is where the chicken gets its rich, spiced profile. Let’s break it down.
Marinating the Chicken
The key to great shawarma is in the marinade, which infuses the chicken with spices that create the signature flavors. Combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk everything together until smooth. Then, toss your chicken into the marinade and let it sit for at least 30 minutes, but if you have time, marinate for 2–4 hours for the best flavor infusion.
Why do we marinate the chicken? Marinating not only tenderizes the meat but also allows the spices to soak into the chicken, making every bite a burst of flavor.
Cooking the Chicken
Once your chicken is properly marinated, it’s time to cook! You can grill the chicken, pan-sear it, or even bake it. The most common and flavorful method is pan-searing, which gives the chicken a beautifully golden-brown exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
To do this, heat a little olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the chicken and cook for about 6–7 minutes per side (depending on thickness) until golden brown and fully cooked through. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest for a few minutes. This will help the juices redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and tender when sliced.
Slicing the Chicken
After the chicken has rested, slice it into strips or bite-sized pieces. This step ensures that the chicken will mix perfectly with the rice and all the other delicious toppings. The juicy, spiced chicken will be the star of your rice bowl!
Preparing the Rice
Now that your chicken is ready, let’s focus on the rice. The fluffy rice in a chicken shawarma bowl is the perfect base to absorb all the amazing flavors from the chicken and toppings.
Cooking the Rice
For fluffy, aromatic rice, you’ll want to use basmati rice. Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch, which can make the rice clump together. In a medium pot, add the rinsed rice, water, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 10–15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender. Once the rice is done, fluff it with a fork and drizzle in a little olive oil for extra flavor and smoothness.
Why basmati rice? Its long grains and slightly nutty flavor pair perfectly with the rich spices in the chicken. Plus, it’s incredibly fragrant when cooked!
Assembling the Chicken Shawarma Rice Bowl
Now for the fun part—putting everything together! This is where all the components come together to form a vibrant, flavor-packed bowl.
Layering the Base
Start with a generous scoop of your freshly cooked rice at the bottom of your bowl. The rice serves as the foundation, and its fluffiness will balance out the boldness of the chicken and toppings.
Adding the Chicken
Once your rice is in place, arrange the sliced chicken on top. The spiced, juicy chicken should be the focal point of the bowl, but don’t forget that it will be sharing the spotlight with other amazing ingredients!
Toppings Galore
Next, it’s time to add your fresh veggies. A mix of diced cucumbers, tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onions adds a refreshing crunch to the dish. Don’t forget to sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a spoonful of hummus on the side. The creamy texture of hummus complements the spices in the chicken and adds a richness that makes every bite even more indulgent.
Drizzling the Sauce
The final touch is the sauce. Drizzle a generous amount of your homemade yogurt-tahini sauce over the top of the bowl. The sauce adds a creamy, tangy flavor that ties everything together beautifully. It’s the perfect finishing touch!
The Sauce: Creamy and Tangy
The sauce is what truly brings everything together in this chicken shawarma rice bowl. You could use a simple yogurt sauce, but adding tahini elevates the flavor with its nutty richness. Here’s how you make it:
Making the Sauce
To create the sauce, combine plain Greek yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl. Stir everything together until smooth and creamy. You can adjust the consistency by adding a little water if you want a thinner sauce. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the chicken and veggies but not so thick that it doesn’t spread easily.
Why Greek yogurt? Greek yogurt is creamy and tangy, making it the perfect base for a sauce that complements the spiced chicken without overpowering it.
Conclusion
There you have it—the ultimate chicken shawarma rice bowl recipe. With tender, spiced chicken, fluffy rice, fresh vegetables, and a creamy yogurt-tahini sauce, this bowl is everything you could ask for in a meal. Whether you’re making it for dinner tonight or prepping it for the week ahead, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. The layers of flavor and textures make each bite a delicious experience, and it’s a meal that’s sure to impress family and friends.
So, why wait? Grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and dive into making your very own chicken shawarma rice bowl. Enjoy!
