Chicken Shawarma Tahini Salad (Printable View)

Spiced chicken atop vibrant tomato, cucumber, and onion salad, drizzled with creamy tahini for a fresh twist.

# 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

# How to Make:

01 - Combine olive oil, garlic, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, and lemon juice in a bowl. Add chicken thighs and coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or refrigerate up to 8 hours.
02 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked and charred. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
03 - In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and parsley. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper. Toss gently and set aside.
04 - Whisk tahini, lemon juice, water, garlic, and salt until smooth. Adjust consistency with additional water if needed for pouring.
05 - Divide salad among plates, top with sliced chicken, and drizzle generously with tahini dressing. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.
06 - Serve immediately for best flavor and freshness.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The chicken stays juicy because the marinade has both acid and fat working together.
  • You get all the flavor of shawarma without the spit or the pita, so its naturally gluten free.
  • The tahini dressing tastes like the stuff from the corner shop, but you control the garlic and lemon.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead and assembled in minutes when youre ready to eat.
02 -
  • The tahini will thicken as it sits, so make it a little thinner than you think you need.
  • Dont skip resting the chicken, cutting it right away lets all the moisture run out onto the cutting board.
  • If your skillet isnt hot enough, the chicken will steam instead of getting those charred edges.
  • Taste the salad before you serve it, tomatoes and cucumbers vary in sweetness and you might need more lemon or salt.
03 -
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature before cooking so it sears evenly and stays tender.
  • If the tahini dressing tastes too bitter, add a tiny pinch of sugar or an extra squeeze of lemon to balance it.
  • Slice the chicken against the grain so every bite is tender instead of chewy.
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