This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These Chicken Shawarma Bowls are the perfect weeknight meal the whole family will love! Tender and flavorful seasoned chicken chunks served in a bowl with salad and quinoa! Wholesome, delicious, and filling.
Make this easy chicken shawarma recipe and serve it in a bowl as a complete meal with quinoa or brown rice and a side of salad. Better and healthier than restaurant style shawarma with the same authentic flavors.
This shawarma bowl is perfect for those who meal prep and it stores well for a few days. Prepare and make this dish in just 30-40 minutes tops and have dinner ready for everyone to enjoy.
Recipe Overview
Before you get started
Here’s what you should know before you get started, so you can make the best shawarma bowl.
- Ras-el Hanout – This is a Middle Eastern spice mix used in making shawarma that’s made of ground ginger, clove, black cardamom, and Turmeric. Also, if you can’t find this spice near you, just use shawarma seasoning. Further down below, I have the ingredients listed for you on how to make the shawarma seasoning.
- Chicken: You can replace the chicken breasts with boneless chicken thighs, beef, or lamb. I like using chicken breast because they are lean and a good source of protein.
- Prepare and make the chicken shawarma ahead before assembling the bowl. You can do this part ahead and set it aside until you are ready to assemble the bowl.
- Quinoa: Don’t like quinoa? Replace it with cauliflower rice or brown rice. Or whatever grain you like.
Ingredients needed
Below is a visual for a list of ingredients you will need to make this recipe. Full measurements are listed further down below in the recipe card.
How to make Shawarma seasoning
If you want to make the shawarma seasoning from scratch, here are the ingredients and measurements you will need. I get it, not everyone has access to shawarma seasonings local to them.
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons paprika (mild 1:1 mild and smoky)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
How to make chicken shawarma bowl
Here’s how to make the chicken shawarma bowl perfect every time.
1️⃣ Season the chicken
First, season the chicken pieces with Ras El Hanout seasoning, paprika, and salt. (If using homemade shawarma seasoning, see notes and shawarma seasoning ingredients above.)
✏️ Remember, you can use other proteins like lamb or beef.
2️⃣ Cook the chicken
Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add oil and sliced white onion; sauté until translucent. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside on a plate.
✏️ To save on time, you do this step a few hours ahead and set the aside until ready to assemble the bowl.
3️⃣ Cook the quinoa
Next, Cook the quinoa. Follow package directions or feel free to use this method: Prepare quinoa, using a fine-mesh strainer, rinse the quinoa under cold running water.
Drain the quinoa and place it into a pot. Add 1.5 cups of water, about 2/3 tsp of kosher salt, and set the heat to high. Boil until liquid is cooked off and ‘tails’ are visible about 12-15 minutes.
✏️ The quinoa can also be cooked and prepared ahead. Even a day before.
4️⃣ Make the salad
While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the salad, chop the onion, bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, and parsley. Next, combine chopped onion, bell pepper, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes in a bowl. Add lemon juice, olive oil, a pinch of salt, and ground pepper; toss well to combine. Garnish with chopped parsley and set aside.
5️⃣ Assemble the bowl
When the quinoa is done, fluff with a fork and allow it to cool.
For assembling, add quinoa to the serving bowls. Finally, top each serving with chicken shawarma. Add the salad next to it and serve.
Common Questions
Whether you are using lamb, beef, or chicken, shawarma should last 3-4 days in the fridge when stored in a tightly sealed container. Also, you can freeze the chicken and the quinoa for up to 2 months. I do not recommend freezing the salad.
You can make and serve any other veggies instead of the salad, like broccoli or sautéed veggies.
A lot of Middle Eastern grocery stores have this, which you can buy if you do not want to make it from scratch. You can now get them at Meijer’s, Walmart, and Amazon. I see it in those store all the time. Meijers and walmart have an international section now where you will be able to find it.
Chicken Shawarma Bowl
Ingredients
For chicken:
- 3-4 chicken breasts, boneless/skinless, cut into small bite-sized cubes
- 1 teaspoon Ras El Hanout seasoning, or shawarma seasoning ** see notes
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 small white onion, sliced
For the bowls:
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 1.5 cups water
- 1 small red onion
- 1 small yellow bell pepper
- 3 garden cucumbers, about 1 cup chopped
- 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, different colors if desired
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, or avocado oil
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh chopped curly parsley
Instructions
- Season the 3-4 chicken breasts pieces with 1 teaspoon Ras El Hanout seasoning (or shawarma seasoning), 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon Ground black pepper . (If using shawarma seasoning, do not add the paprika.)
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and sliced1 small white onion; sauté until translucent.
- Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through. About 6-8 minutes. Set aside on a plate. (This step can be made ahead)
- Prepare 1 cup dry quinoa, Using a fine-mesh strainer, rinse the quinoa under cold running water.
- Rub and swish the quinoa with your hands while rinsing to remove the natural coating. Drain the quinoa and place it into a pot.
- Add 1.5 cups water, about 2/3 tsp of kosher salt, and set the heat to high. Boil until liquid is cooked off and 'tails' are visible, about 12-15 minutes.
- While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the salad, chop the 1 small red onion, 1 small yellow bell pepper, 3 garden cucumbers, 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, and 1-2 tablespoons fresh chopped curly parsley. Combine chopped onion, bell pepper, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes in a bowl.
- Add lemon juice (from 1 lemon), 2 tablespoons olive oil, a pinch of salt, and ground pepper; toss well to combine. Garnish with chopped parsley and set aside.
- When the quinoa is done, fluff with a fork and allow it to cool.
- For assembling, add quinoa to the serving bowls. Top each serving with chicken shawarma. Add the salad next to it and serve.
- OPTIONAL: drizzle a bit of lemon juice over the chicken shawarma
Notes
- Ras-el Hanout – a Middle Eastern spice used in making shawarma, made of ground ginger, clove, black cardamom, and Turmeric. If you can’t find this spice near you, just use shawarma seasoning.
- For shawarma seasoning, you can make your own at home. Use the following: 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Chicken: The chicken can be replaced with boneless thighs, beef, or lamb
- Quinoa can be replaced with cauliflower rice or brown rice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More chicken recipes
- Mexican Chicken Quinoa Bowl
- Instant Pot Chicken Curry
- Chicken Mango Salad
- Pesto Chicken Recipe
- Grilled Chicken Gyro
- Creamy chicken and spinach
- Balsamic Chicken Breast
- Chicken Caesar Wrap
You may also like
- Cottage cheese mac and cheese
- Baked Pesto Salmon
- Lemon Blueberry Chia Pudding
- Balsamic chicken breast
It was really yummy. And in some weird miracle, all 3 of my kids loved it! Woohoo. I think I would add some feta next time. Delicious!
Glad you loved it. Yay
Delicious! I used pre cooked quinoa and brown rice. Made your seasoning and used chicken tenders. Cooked the chicken and some diced zucchini on the flat top. Absolutely true that it was better than my favorite restaurant! Thanks!
Thanks for the feedback Dee. You are so creative. Glad you liked it. ❤️