Chicken Shawarma Tahini Salad (Printable)

Spiced chicken served over fresh tomato, cucumber, and onion salad with creamy tahini dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

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

→ Salad

12 - 3 medium tomatoes, diced
13 - 1 large cucumber, diced
14 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
15 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 1 tbsp olive oil
17 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
18 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Tahini Dressing

19 - 1/3 cup tahini
20 - 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
21 - 2 tbsp water, plus more as needed
22 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
23 - 1/2 tsp salt

# Directions:

01 - Combine olive oil, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, and lemon juice in a bowl. Add chicken thighs, coating thoroughly. Marinate for a minimum of 15 minutes or up to 8 hours refrigerated.
02 - Preheat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and charred. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
03 - Toss diced tomatoes, cucumber, sliced red onion, and chopped parsley in a large bowl. Dress with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to preference. Set aside.
04 - Whisk tahini, lemon juice, water, garlic, and salt until smooth. Add additional water gradually to achieve a pourable consistency.
05 - Divide salad evenly onto plates. Top with sliced chicken. Drizzle generously with tahini dressing.
06 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like restaurant-quality shawarma but comes together in your own kitchen without any fuss.
  • The tahini dressing is so creamy and tangy that it makes everything it touches taste better, including leftovers.
  • You get spiced, charred chicken over fresh vegetables, which means it's nutritious enough to feel good about eating twice.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time for the chicken or you'll lose all the juice, and dry chicken is no one's favorite, no matter how good the spices are.
  • Tahini can seize up and get grainy if you add liquid too fast—whisk constantly and add water in small amounts, like you're coaxing it into cooperating.
03 -
  • If you have access to a grill or charcoal, use it—that smoky char is worth the extra effort and tastes like the real thing.
  • Make the tahini dressing while the chicken is resting, and if it sits for a few minutes, it actually gets thicker and creamier, which is good; just stir it back to a pourable consistency.
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