Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad (Printable)

Spiced chicken meets crispy rice in this vibrant, flavor-packed bowl with fresh veggies and tangy yogurt.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz)

→ 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 a mix of 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 the 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, about 6–8 minutes. Remove from the pan and keep warm.
03 - Wipe the skillet, add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, then add the cooked rice. Press into an even layer and cook undisturbed for 4–5 minutes until the bottom is golden and crispy. Stir, then let crisp for another 2–3 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 Advice:

01 -
  • The crispy rice creates this incredible texture contrast that makes every bite interesting
  • Its one of those meals that feels fancy and restaurant worthy but comes together in under an hour
  • The shawarma spices transform plain chicken into something youll crave on repeat
02 -
  • Do not skip the cold rice step or your crispy rice dreams will turn into a sad sticky mess
  • Let the rice cook undisturbed that crispy bottom layer is the whole point of this dish
  • Season each component as you go rather than just at the end for better depth
03 -
  • A squeeze of fresh lemon right before serving wakes up all the spices
  • Sumac sprinkled on top adds this gorgeous tart, earthy finish

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