Chicken Shawarma Salad Tahini (Printable Page)

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

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - In a bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, and lemon juice. Add chicken thighs and coat evenly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 8 hours in the refrigerator.
02 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken thighs 5 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked and nicely charred. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
03 - In a large bowl, combine diced tomatoes, cucumber, sliced red onion, and chopped parsley. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently and set aside.
04 - Mix tahini, lemon juice, water, garlic, and salt in a bowl until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more water as needed to achieve a pourable texture.
05 - Arrange salad on plates, top with sliced chicken, and drizzle generously with tahini dressing. Garnish with extra parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The spice blend transforms ordinary chicken into something that tastes like it came from a charcoal grill in a bustling market.
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, but the flavor feels like you spent all day in the kitchen.
  • The tahini dressing is tangy, creamy, and ties the whole dish together without any dairy.
  • Its light enough for a weeknight but impressive enough to serve when friends come over unannounced.
02 -
  • Let the chicken rest after cooking or all the juices will run out onto the cutting board instead of staying in the meat.
  • The tahini dressing will thicken as it sits, so make it a little thinner than you think you need.
  • Dont skip the marinating time, even 15 minutes makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
  • Taste the salad before you assemble because underseasoned vegetables make the whole dish fall flat.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check for 165°F internal temperature if youre unsure about doneness.
  • If your tahini dressing breaks or gets grainy, a splash of ice-cold water and vigorous whisking will bring it back together.
  • Marinate the chicken the night before for even deeper flavor and an easier dinner the next day.
  • Char the onion slices quickly on the grill alongside the chicken for a smoky sweetness that elevates the whole salad.
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