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In Krista's Kitchen//delicious meals and baked goods

In Krista's Kitchen//delicious meals and baked goods

Easy delicious family friendly meals and baked goods

Home / Dinner / Chicken Shawarma with Herb Salad and Rice

Chicken Shawarma with Herb Salad and Rice

Dinner

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shawarma spiced chicken in a cast iron pan and a platter with the chicken, basmati rice, herb salad and tzatziki sauce

Chicken Shawarma with Herb Salad and Rice is a perfect weeknight meal! The chicken seasoning is so flavorful and the herb salad is so light and refreshing. Serving the spiced chicken with rice instead of naan or a pita makes for a nice gluten free option as well!

Chicken shawarma platter with rice, herb salad and tzatziki sauce

The chicken is super juicy and tender. It’s served with basmati rice, fresh herbs, lemon and a homemade tzatziki sauce. There’s some radish added in for some crunch. Chicken Shawarma with Herb Salad and Rice is the perfect combination of flavors!

Table of Contents

  • What is chicken shawarma?
  • What is tzatziki sauce?
  • Ingredients for Chicken Shawarma with Herb Salad and Rice
  • Tips for the best Chicken Shawarma with Herb Salad and Rice
  • Chicken Shawarma with Herb Salad and Rice
    • Ingredients  1x2x3x
      • Shawarma Seasoning
      • Chicken
      • Basmati Rice
      • Tzatziki Sauce
      • Herb Salad
      • Garnish
    • Instructions 
      • Making the Shawarma Seasoning
      • Seasoning and Cooking the Chicken
      • Making the Basmati Rice
      • Tzatziki Sauce
      • Making the herb salad
      • Serving
    • Nutrition

What is chicken shawarma?

Shawarma translates to “turning”. Shawarma meat is traditionally cooked on a vertical rotisserie. It’s a dish that originated in the Middle East then made its way west. As the meat finishes cooking it’s cut off. Originally, lamb or mutton was used for shawarma.

chicken seasoned with shawarma seasoning and seared in a cast iron skillet

The meat for a shawarma is very tender and very juicy. You make shawarma on a flat bread or pita then topped with pickles, vegetables, hummus and yogurt sauce. You can use whatever toppings you’d like.

What is tzatziki sauce?

Yogurt, drained cucumber, salt, garlic and other seasonings make up tzatziki. It originated in Greece and is popular in the surrounding countries as well. Americans commonly find tzatziki sauce on Gyros. You can serve tzatziki sauce along side of bread, pita, flatbread, eggplant, meats and many other things. It’s a delicious and refreshing addition to many dishes!

tzatziki sauce

Ingredients for Chicken Shawarma with Herb Salad and Rice

  • Chicken Thighs
  • Kosher Salt
  • Sweet Paprika
  • Cumin
  • Coriander
  • Cinnamon
  • Crushed Red Pepper
  • Black Pepper
  • Plain Yogurt
  • Lemon Juice
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Cucumber
  • Garlic
  • Fresh Dill
  • Parsley
  • Cilantro
  • Olive Oil
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Radish
  • Basmati Rice
close up of grilled tomatoes with radishes, lemons and chicken

Tips for the best Chicken Shawarma with Herb Salad and Rice

  • Get the skillet really hot before searing the chicken. I like to use a cast iron skillet like this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071J9H4RK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B071J9H4RK&linkCode=as2&tag=inkristaskitc-20&linkId=7379b621a910f150d3b52f127ee9da32
  • Go heavy with the seasoning on the chicken. It may seem like it’s too much but it will be perfect
  • Make the tzatziki sauce up to 3 days in advance
  • I like to make a big batch of shawarma seasoning and store it with the rest of my spices so it’s ready to go whenever I need it
  • If you like spicy then add my schug sauce from the Eggplant Shawarma recipe! It’s amazing!
  • Use up any leftover chicken in salads or wraps for the week
chicken shawarma with rice and herb salad

If you try this Chicken Shawarma with Herb Salad and Rice recipe please leave me a rating and/or review on this post! Feedback is super helpful! Don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram photos after you make one of my recipes! I love to see what everyone is making!

chicken shawarma with rice and herb salad

Chicken Shawarma with Herb Salad and Rice

Krista Stechman
Flavorful chicken seared and served over a bed of rice topped with a lemony herb salad, grilled tomatoes, radishes and tzatziki sauce
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Course dinner
Cuisine middle eastern
Servings 8 people
Calories 126 kcal

Ingredients
  

Shawarma Seasoning

  • 2 tbsp sweet paprika
  • 2 tbsp cumin
  • 2.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp coriander
  • 2 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Chicken

  • 8 pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 tbsp olive oil divided

Basmati Rice

  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 1.75 cups water
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp olive oil

Tzatziki Sauce

  • ⅔ cup fat free plain yogurt
  • ¼ cup English cucumber diced
  • ¼ cup English cucumber shredded & drained in a paper towel
  • 2 tsp fresh dill chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp red wine vinegar
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt

Herb Salad

  • 16 cherry tomatoes
  • 1.25 cups parsley stems off
  • 1.25 cups cilantro stems off
  • 8 radishes sliced thin
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • ¼ cup fresh dill rough chopped
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt
  • ⅛ tsp black pepper

Garnish

  • 2 lemons cut into wedges

Instructions
 

Making the Shawarma Seasoning

  • Mix all shawarma seasoning ingredients together in a bowl with a whisk
  • Any extra can be stored for later use in an airtight container for up to 6 months
    shawarma spice

Seasoning and Cooking the Chicken

  • Add 1 tbsp olive oil to chicken then add about ⅓ cup of the shawarma seasoning and toss until fully coated
  • Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy bottomed skillet until very hot
  • Add the rest of the olive oil to the pan, wait 30 seconds then add the chicken
  • Sear each side of the chicken for 4-5 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 160°F in the thickest part of the chicken
    chicken shawarma seared in a cast iron skillet
  • Remove from the pan and let rest for 5-10 minutes

Making the Basmati Rice

  • While the chicken is cooking put the rice, water, salt and olive oil in a medium sauce pot and bring to a boil over medium – high heat
  • Once the rice reaches a boil, cover it and turn it down to a simmer until all water is absorbed. About 10 minutes
  • Fluff with a fork and set to the side until ready to serve

Tzatziki Sauce

  • The tzatziki can be made up to 3 days ahead of time or you can make it as the chicken and rice are cooking
  • Shred the cucumber then drain it through a towel into the sink. Add the cucumber to a medium mixing bowl
  • Dice the other cucumber and add it to the same bowl with the rest of the ingredients for the tzatziki
    tzatziki sauce
  • Mix well and store in the refrigerator until needed

Making the herb salad

  • While the chicken and rice are cooking, grill the cherry tomatoes. Drizzle them with a small amount of oil and add a pinch of salt and pepper
  • Grill them for 3-4 minutes over medium heat. Remove from the heat and set to the side
  • Add all the rest of the herb salad ingredients to a bowl and toss well. Add in the tomatoes and toss
    herb salad on a plate with chicken and a lemon wedge

Serving

  • Place the rice onto a serving platter or into individual bowls
  • Slice the chicken thighs and place them on top of the rice. Add the herb salad and dollops of the tzatziki sauce
    herb salad on a plate with chicken and a lemon wedge
  • Serve with lemon wedges and ENJOY!

Nutrition

Calories: 126kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 4gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 764mgPotassium: 286mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1766IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 86mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

August 2, 2021 · Leave a Comment

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krista in a white sweater with a pink kitchen aid mixer eating cool whip off of one finger

My name is Krista Stechman. I’m a chef, food photographer and the mama of 2 gorgeous girls. Food has always been at the center of my life and  cooking is a way for me to show and share my love!

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