Healthy Chicken Shawarma Bowl is your new go-to for a flavorful, wholesome, and filling meal that doesn’t skimp on bold spices or creamy toppings. Packed with juicy, seasoned chicken, fresh vegetables, and a luscious tahini dressing, this bowl delivers balanced nutrition in every bite. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep lunches, or when you’re craving a satisfying Middle Eastern-inspired dish without takeout.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Full of aromatic, warm spices
- Clean, whole-food ingredients
- High in protein and fiber
- Naturally gluten-free
- Perfect for meal prep
- Ready in just 40 minutes
Whether you layer it with quinoa, couscous, or fresh greens, this healthy chicken shawarma bowl is endlessly adaptable.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
For the Bowl:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup cucumber, chopped
- 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
- ½ cup red onion, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
For the Dressing:
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp ground cumin
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cut chicken into small, even pieces.
- Make spice blend: Mix cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, black pepper, cayenne, and salt in a small bowl.
- Season chicken: Toss chicken with olive oil and the spice mix until evenly coated.
- Bake: Spread chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until fully cooked and golden brown.
- Cook quinoa: Follow package instructions (~15 mins). Fluff and set aside to cool slightly.
- Chop veggies: Dice cucumber, tomato, red onion, parsley, and cilantro.
- Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk tahini, lemon juice, water, olive oil, garlic powder, and cumin. Adjust water for desired consistency.
- Assemble bowls: Start with a base of quinoa. Top with chopped veggies and baked chicken.
- Drizzle with dressing and serve fresh.
Recipe Details

- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Rest Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 2–3 bowls
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approx.)
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: ~500mg (depending on added salt)
Tips & Variations
- Swap grains: Use brown rice, couscous, or cauliflower rice instead of quinoa.
- Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor — up to 12 hours.
- Spice it up: Add harissa, chili flakes, or hot sauce to the dressing.
- Make it dairy-free: This recipe is already naturally dairy-free with a tahini-based sauce.
- Add extras: Try pickled red onions, feta cheese, or hummus on top.
FAQs
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Yes! Thighs offer more flavor and stay juicy. Just adjust cook time slightly.
Q: Is this shawarma bowl meal-prep friendly?
A: Absolutely. Store components separately in airtight containers for 3 days.
Q: Can I grill the chicken instead of baking?
A: Yes — grill over medium heat for 4–5 minutes per side until cooked through.

Healthy Chicken Shawarma Bowl
Equipment
- – Baking sheet
- – Small and large mixing bowls
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- **Chicken**
- – 1 lb chicken breast diced
- – 2 tbsp olive oil
- – 1 tsp ground cumin
- – 1 tsp paprika
- – 1 tsp turmeric
- – 1 tsp ground coriander
- – 1 tsp garlic powder
- – 1 tsp onion powder
- – 1 tsp cinnamon
- – ½ tsp black pepper
- – ¼ tsp cayenne pepper optional
- – ½ tsp salt
- **Bowl**
- – 1 cup cooked quinoa
- – 1 cup cucumber chopped
- – 1 cup tomatoes chopped
- – ½ cup red onion chopped
- – ¼ cup parsley chopped
- – ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- **Tahini Dressing**
- – 2 tbsp tahini
- – 1 tbsp lemon juice
- – ¼ cup water
- – 1 tbsp olive oil
- – ½ tsp garlic powder
- – ½ tsp cumin
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Mix all spices in a small bowl.
- Toss chicken with olive oil and spices.
- Spread on parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake 20–25 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Cook quinoa and let cool slightly.
- Chop all veggies and herbs.
- Whisk dressing ingredients until smooth.
- Assemble bowls with quinoa, veggies, chicken.
- Drizzle with tahini dressing and serve.
Notes
– Marinate chicken in spices ahead for extra flavor.
– Use extra lemon juice or water to thin dressing as desired.
Conclusion
The Healthy Chicken Shawarma Bowl brings together bold spices, fresh herbs, and nourishing ingredients into one easy, crave-worthy meal. Whether you’re building lunch for the week or making dinner in under an hour, this bowl delivers every time. Customize it, batch it, love it — it’s a flavor-packed favorite you’ll keep coming back to.

























