Healthy chicken recipes don’t have to be boring, and this shawarma bowl is proof. With boldly spiced chicken, fluffy quinoa, crunchy veggies, and a creamy tahini-yogurt dressing, this meal delivers big flavor in every bite. It’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner, yet vibrant and customizable enough for meal prep or a make-ahead lunch that feels anything but routine.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Packed with protein and fiber
- Features bold Mediterranean spices
- Customizable and great for meal prep
- Naturally gluten-free and easily dairy-free
- Comes together in just 40 minutes
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 coriander
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp salt
For the Bowl:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- ½ cup chopped red onion
- ¼ cup fresh parsley
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
For the Tahini Dressing:
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup water (adjust for consistency)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Season the Chicken: Combine all spices in a bowl. Toss chicken with olive oil and coat thoroughly with spice mix.
- Bake Chicken: Spread chicken on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 20–25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp: 165°F).
- Cook the Quinoa: While the chicken bakes, prepare quinoa per package instructions. Fluff and set aside.
- Prep Veggies: Dice cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion. Roughly chop parsley and cilantro.
- Make the Dressing: Whisk tahini, lemon juice, water, oil, garlic powder, and cumin until smooth. Add salt to taste.
- Assemble Bowl: Add quinoa as base. Top with veggies, then sliced baked chicken.
- Drizzle Dressing generously over the top.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days (see storage tips below).
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 2–3
Nutrition Facts (Per Bowl)
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 30g
- Carbs: 30g
- Fat: 20g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 420mg
Tips & Variations
- Make it spicy: Add extra cayenne or hot sauce to the dressing
- Switch the base: Use brown rice, couscous, or cauliflower rice
- Extra toppings: Try crumbled feta, pickled onions, or olives
- Meal prep tip: Store components separately to keep texture fresh
- Dairy-free option: Omit yogurt and increase tahini in dressing
Healthy Chicken Shawarma Bowl
Equipment
- – Oven
- – Baking sheet
- – Knife & cutting board
- – Mixing bowls
Ingredients
- – 1 lb chicken breast
- – 2 tbsp olive oil
- – 1 tsp cumin paprika, turmeric, coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon
- – ½ tsp black pepper
- – ¼ tsp cayenne
- – ½ tsp salt
- – 1 cup cooked quinoa
- – 1 cup chopped cucumber
- – 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- – ½ cup chopped red onion
- – ¼ cup parsley
- – ¼ cup cilantro
- – 2 tbsp tahini
- – 1 tbsp lemon juice
- – ¼ cup water
- – 1 tbsp olive oil
- – ½ tsp garlic powder
- – ½ tsp cumin
- – Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Toss chicken with oil and spices.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden.
- Cook quinoa per instructions.
- Chop veggies and herbs.
- Mix tahini dressing until smooth.
- Assemble bowl: quinoa base, veggies, chicken, dressing.
- Serve or chill for later.
Notes
– Add feta, pickled onions, or pita for variation
FAQs
Can I grill the chicken instead of baking?
Yes! Grill over medium-high heat for 6–7 minutes per side.
Is this healthy chicken shawarma bowl good for meal prep?
Definitely. Store chicken, veggies, quinoa, and dressing in separate containers for up to 3 days.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Absolutely. Swap chicken for roasted chickpeas or grilled tofu.
How do I thin out the dressing?
Add more water or lemon juice 1 tsp at a time until pourable.
Conclusion
This healthy chicken shawarma bowl brings big, bold flavor in a balanced, nourishing meal. With lean protein, colorful veggies, and a creamy-spiced dressing, it’s a satisfying dish that checks every box. Whether you’re trying to eat clean, meal prep, or just shake up your dinner routine, this recipe is a must-try.