Chicken Shawarma Tahini Salad (Printable)

Spiced chicken served over fresh vegetables with a smooth 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 black 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

# 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. 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 5 to 7 minutes per side, until fully cooked and charred. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
03 - In a large bowl, toss tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and parsley. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
04 - Whisk tahini, lemon juice, water, garlic, and salt until smooth. Adjust consistency with additional water as needed for a pourable dressing.
05 - Divide salad onto 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 takeout but takes barely 40 minutes from start to plate.
  • The tahini dressing is silky enough to feel indulgent, yet it's just five simple ingredients.
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble in minutes when you're ready to eat.
02 -
  • Tahini can seize into a thick paste if you add lemon juice too quickly—whisk the tahini with water first, then slowly add the acid.
  • Don't refrigerate the salad before serving or the tomatoes will lose their vibrant taste and the whole plate becomes muted.
03 -
  • Toast the whole spices in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before grinding them if you want even deeper flavor—it's a small step that changes everything.
  • If your tahini dressing breaks or becomes too thick, start fresh with a clean bowl rather than trying to salvage it; it only takes two minutes.
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