Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad (Print Version)
Spiced chicken meets crispy rice and fresh vegetables in a vibrant Middle Eastern salad finished with creamy yogurt-tahini dressing.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken Shawarma
01 -
02 -
03 -
04 -
05 -
06 -
07 -
08 -
09 -
10 -
11 -
12 -
→ Crispy Rice
13 -
14 -
15 -
→ Salad Components
16 -
17 -
18 -
19 -
20 -
21 -
→ Yogurt-Tahini Dressing
22 -
23 -
24 -
25 -
26 -
27 -
# Preparation Steps:
01 - Whisk together olive oil, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, pepper, and lemon juice in a bowl. Add chicken strips and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
02 - Combine Greek yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, grated garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
03 - Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Spread cooked rice in an even layer and sprinkle with salt. Press down gently with a spatula. Cook undisturbed for 7-10 minutes until a golden-brown crust forms on the bottom. Flip and crisp additional edges for 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool slightly.
04 - Wipe skillet if needed and heat a drizzle of oil over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken in a single layer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is browned on all sides and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
05 - Combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and pomegranate seeds in a large serving bowl. Add warm crispy rice and cooked shawarma chicken.
06 - Drizzle yogurt-tahini dressing over the salad. Toss gently to combine all elements. Serve immediately while rice remains crispy, garnished with additional herbs or pomegranate seeds if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The warm spiced chicken against cool crisp vegetables creates that perfect temperature contrast that keeps every bite interesting
- Crispy rice adds this incredible crunch that people cannot stop talking about, plus it uses up leftover rice
- The yogurt tahini dressing ties everything together with creaminess that feels luxurious but takes two minutes to make
02 -
- Do not crowd the pan when making crispy rice or it will steam instead of crisp, so work in batches if your skillet is small
- Let the chicken develop a good sear before stirring too much because those browned bits carry the most intense flavor
- The dressing thickens as it sits, so thin with a teaspoon of water or lemon juice if needed before serving
03 -
- Grate the garlic for the dressing instead of mincing it so it dissolves completely into the creamy base
- Pat the chicken strips dry with paper towels before adding them to the marinade so the spices actually stick and create a nice crust