Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad
A vibrant salad combining spiced chicken, fluffy rice, and fresh vegetables, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- to taste Salt and pepper
For the Salad
- 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 cucumber diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 bell pepper diced
- ½ red onion finely chopped
- ½ cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1 lemon Juice of
- 1 cup lettuce chopped
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, paprika, coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Toss in the chicken thighs, ensuring they are well coated. Allow them to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for deeper flavor.
Prepare the Rice
- While the chicken marinates, prepare the rice according to package instructions if it’s not pre-cooked. Once done, let it cool slightly.
Grill the Chicken
- Preheat your grill or stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on the grill. Cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side or until the chicken is browned and cooked through. An internal temperature of 165°F ensures it’s safe to eat.
- Once cooked, take the chicken off the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Then, slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Combine Salad Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, diced bell pepper, chopped red onion, and parsley.
- Add the sliced chicken to the vegetable and rice mixture. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salad and mix everything together gently to combine all flavors.
- Finally, serve the salad over a bed of chopped lettuce for extra freshness and crunch. Enjoy your Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad immediately, or let it chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
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Notes
For added flavor, consider offering a side of tahini or yogurt sauce. These creamy sauces complement the spiced chicken beautifully. You can also serve it alongside warm pita bread to soak up any extra juices.