Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- 1 ½ lbs. Boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons shawarma seasoning
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
For the Rice:
- 2 cups vegetable stock or water or chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained
For the Bowls:
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1 English cucumber, cut into small pieces, or 3 Persian cucumbers
- 1 ½ cups curly salad greens, rinsed and sliced thinly (or any other salad greens)
- ½ cup pickled cucumber, sliced (dill pickles)
- ½ cup pickled red onions
- 1 cup tzatziki sauce or yogurt tahini sauce
- 1 cup hummus (optional)
- 4 wedges of a lemon
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with kosher salt. Place the chicken in a large bowl.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add shawarma seasoning, lemon juice, olive oil, and minced garlic to the chicken. Use kitchen tongs to thoroughly coat the chicken with the marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight for deeper flavor.
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 425°F (218°C) and allow it to preheat fully while the chicken marinates.
- Bake the Chicken: Arrange the marinated chicken on a baking sheet in a single layer. Place it on the middle rack and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. For a browner finish, move the pan to the top rack and broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Rest and Slice Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then slice into ½ inch strips or cubes.
- Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, combine vegetable stock (or chosen liquid), unsalted butter, and kosher salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add rinsed rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until tender, about 15-17 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and season with black pepper just before serving.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the rice among four bowls. Top with sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, salad greens, pickled cucumbers, pickled red onions, and dollops of hummus and tzatziki to taste. Garnish with lemon wedges.
- Serve: Serve the chicken shawarma bowls immediately for the freshest taste and texture.
Notes
- This recipe yields four adult servings and includes optional toppings such as hummus and tzatziki in the nutritional calculation.
- For meal prep, store cooked chicken and rice together in airtight containers and add fresh toppings just before serving for optimal freshness.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in airtight containers for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before serving.
- Marinating the chicken for at least one hour or overnight enhances flavor, but it is optional. You can cook the chicken immediately if short on time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern