Chicken Shawarma Tahini Salad (Printable)

Spiced chicken over a fresh tomato, cucumber, and onion mix, topped with creamy tahini dressing.

# 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

# Method:

01 - Combine olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, and lemon juice in a bowl. Add chicken thighs and coat thoroughly. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 8 hours.
02 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken thighs for 5 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked and charred. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
03 - In a large bowl, toss diced tomatoes, cucumber, sliced red onion, and chopped parsley. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then set aside.
04 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, minced garlic, and salt until smooth. Add additional water as needed to reach a pourable consistency.
05 - Divide the salad among plates, top with sliced chicken, and drizzle generously with tahini dressing. Garnish with extra parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like youve been marinating and planning for days, but its done in less than an hour.
  • The tahini dressing is dangerously good, you will want to put it on everything from roasted vegetables to toast.
  • Its bright and filling without feeling heavy, which makes it perfect for those nights when you want real food that does not weigh you down.
02 -
  • Do not skip the resting time after cooking the chicken, cutting it too early releases all the juices onto the cutting board instead of staying inside the meat.
  • If your tahini dressing seizes up and gets thick and grainy when you add the lemon juice, keep whisking and add water, it will smooth out and become creamy again like magic.
  • Taste the salad before you assemble, underseasoned vegetables make the whole dish feel flat no matter how good the chicken is.
03 -
  • Stir your tahini jar from the bottom before scooping, the solids settle and you need the full blend for a creamy dressing.
  • If you have time, char the chicken over charcoal or on an outdoor grill, the flavor goes from great to unforgettable.
  • Leftover tahini dressing is incredible on roasted cauliflower, grain bowls, or even as a dip for raw vegetables.
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