Chicken Shawarma Salad (Printable Version)

Spiced grilled chicken paired with crisp vegetables and a tangy yogurt dressing for a fresh meal.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tsp ground cumin
04 - 2 tsp ground coriander
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1 tsp ground turmeric
07 - 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
08 - 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
11 - Juice of 1 lemon

→ Salad

12 - 1 large cucumber, diced
13 - 2 medium tomatoes, diced
14 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
15 - 3.5 oz mixed salad greens
16 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

→ Yogurt Dressing

17 - 7 oz plain Greek yogurt
18 - 1 tbsp olive oil
19 - Juice of 0.5 lemon
20 - 1 garlic clove, minced
21 - 0.5 tsp ground cumin
22 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Combine olive oil, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, minced garlic, and lemon juice in a bowl. Mix thoroughly.
02 - Add chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours to enhance flavor.
03 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked and slightly charred. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - In a large bowl, combine diced cucumber, tomatoes, sliced red onion, salad greens, and chopped parsley.
05 - Whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth.
06 - Divide salad mixture onto plates, top with sliced chicken, and drizzle with the yogurt dressing.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The chicken stays juicy and tender because thighs actually absorb the marinade better than breasts, which I learned after a few dry attempts.
  • Everything comes together in 40 minutes, yet it tastes like you've been planning all day.
  • That yogurt dressing is tangy enough to make you forget you're eating something genuinely healthy.
02 -
  • Don't skip the 15-minute marinade—it's the difference between good chicken and chicken that tastes intentional and complex.
  • Slicing the chicken against the grain after it cools makes it so tender you'll question whether you actually cooked it properly, but you did.
03 -
  • Let the marinated chicken come to room temperature before cooking so it cooks evenly and stays juicy inside.
  • If your grill pan isn't hot enough, the chicken steams instead of sears—don't rush this step, and you'll taste the difference immediately.
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