Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad (Printable)
Flavor-packed bowl with spiced chicken, crispy rice, and fresh vegetables in tangy yogurt dressing
# What You Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 ounces)
→ Grains
02 - 2 cups cooked basmati rice (preferably cold, day-old)
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 large cucumber, diced
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
→ Dairy & Dressing
06 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
→ Spices & Oil
07 - 2 tablespoons shawarma spice blend (or ground cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, garlic powder, and cayenne)
08 - 4 tablespoons olive oil
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Slice chicken breasts into thin strips. In a bowl, toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, shawarma spice blend, and a generous pinch of salt. Set aside to marinate for at least 10 minutes.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from pan and keep warm.
03 - Wipe the skillet clean, add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, then add the cooked rice. Press into an even layer and cook undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes until the bottom is golden and crispy. Stir, then let crisp for another 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
04 - In a large bowl, combine cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
05 - Add the crispy rice and cooked chicken to the vegetables. Toss gently.
06 - Drizzle with Greek yogurt. Toss again or serve with yogurt dolloped on top.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The crispy rice creates this incredible texture contrast that makes every bite exciting
- Seven ingredients unlock so much flavor youll want to put shawarma spice on everything afterward
02 -
- Don't rush the rice step, that crispy bottom layer is what makes this salad special
- Letting the chicken marinate even for just ten minutes makes a huge difference in flavor
03 -
- Cast iron skillets create the best crispy rice but nonstick works perfectly fine too
- If your spice blend doesn't include salt, remember to season generously at every step