Chicken Shawarma Salad Tahini (Printable Version)

Spiced chicken paired with fresh tomato, cucumber, and onion salad topped with tahini dressing.

# What You 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 Directions:

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 a minimum of 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 cooked through and charred. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
03 - In a large bowl, combine diced tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and chopped 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, minced garlic, and salt until smooth. Adjust with additional water to obtain a pourable consistency.
05 - Divide the salad across serving plates. Top with sliced chicken, then drizzle generously with tahini dressing.
06 - Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The spice blend creates this addictive depth that makes you want another bite before you've swallowed the first one.
  • It comes together in less than an hour, and somehow tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • One bowl feels substantial and satisfying without leaving you feeling heavy.
02 -
  • Don't skip the marinating step—those spices need time to actually permeate the chicken, not just sit on the surface.
  • Tahini dressing breaks if you're too aggressive with the whisking, so move slowly and deliberately, like you're coaxing something delicate to come alive.
  • Cold chicken tastes completely flat, so this dish really does need to be served while the chicken is still warm.
03 -
  • If your tahini seems too thick, try warming it slightly before whisking—it loosens up and becomes silkier.
  • Make the tahini dressing first so it's ready when everything else comes together, and don't stress if it separates a bit; just whisk it back together or embrace the separation.
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