Description
Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad – Bold Middle Eastern flavors meet irresistible texture in a vibrant dinner bowl with juicy seasoned chicken, golden crispy rice, fresh herbs, and a bright dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked basmati rice
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
- For the dressing:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and toss with olive oil, cumin, paprika, coriander, turmeric, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook chicken 5 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked and golden. Let rest, then slice.
- In a separate nonstick skillet, press cooked rice into an even layer with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes without stirring until the bottom becomes golden and crispy. Flip in sections and crisp the other side briefly.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine crispy rice, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and mint.
- Top with sliced chicken and drizzle generously with dressing. Toss lightly before serving.
Notes
- The crispy rice is best made just before serving for maximum crunch.
- You can prepare the dressing in advance and refrigerate up to 3 days; whisk again before serving.
- To keep it lighter, reduce the dressing olive oil by half and add a splash of water or lemon juice.
- Serve warm or at room temperature for a fresh, flexible weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 445
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 44
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 28
- Cholesterol: 120
Keywords: Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad, crispy rice, shawarma bowl, Middle Eastern salad, chicken salad, healthy dinner, quick weeknight meal