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Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad in a bowl, garnished with fresh herbs.

Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad

A fast and flavorful salad featuring marinated chicken, crispy rice, and fresh vegetables, perfect for a comforting yet crunchy meal.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Calories: 540
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1 lb chicken thighs or breasts Thighs are more forgiving if you're looking for a juicier option.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil Plus 1 tbsp for the rice.
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • Salt & pepper to taste
For the Salad
  • 2 cups cooked rice Cooled, for crisping.
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • ½ medium red onion, sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped Pre-chopped options can save time.
For the Dressing
  • ¼ cup tahini Adds creaminess.
  • 1 medium lemon, juiced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil For the dressing.
  • Water to thin dressing Add as needed.

Method
 

Marinate Chicken
  1. Mix olive oil, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken and marinate for 30 minutes.
Cook Chicken
  1. Grill or pan-sear the marinated chicken until cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
Crisp Rice
  1. Heat a skillet with 1 tbsp oil. Add the cooled rice and cook until golden and crunchy, or crisp in air fryer at 400°F for 10 minutes.
Prepare Vegetables
  1. Dice the cucumber, chop the tomatoes, onion, and herbs.
Make Dressing
  1. Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, and water until creamy. Chill for 15 minutes.
Assemble Salad
  1. Layer the crispy rice, top with sliced chicken, vegetables, and herbs. Drizzle with the dressing. Garnish with pickles if desired.

Notes

You can swap chicken for lamb or turkey if preferred. Crisp the rice right before serving for best texture. Make the dressing a day ahead if needed.