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Chicken shawarma bowl with seared chicken, spiced rice, cucumber-tomato salad, and yogurt sauce drizzle on a wood board.

Pan-Seared Chicken Shawarma Bowls with Yogurt Sauce

Marinated chicken breast seared hard in a skillet, served over rice with cucumber, tomato, and a garlicky Greek yogurt sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 665

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Marinade
  • 600 g boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch strips
  • 2 tbsp olive oil for the marinade
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper optional
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for searing
Rice
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed / 185 g
  • 1 3/4 cups water / 415 ml
  • 1/2 tsp salt
Yogurt Sauce
  • 1 cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt / 240 g
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill or parsley, chopped
  • salt to taste
Toppings
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced / 150 g
  • 1 cup tomato, diced / 150 g
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced / 30 g
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, coriander, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Add the chicken strips and toss until every piece is coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
Cook the Rice
  1. Rinse the rice under cold water until it runs clear. Combine rice, water, and salt in a 2-quart saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until the water is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat, let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
Make the Yogurt Sauce
  1. Stir together Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, and dill in a small bowl. Season with salt and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Sear the Chicken
  1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Working in two batches so the strips don't crowd, add half the marinated chicken in a single layer.
  2. Sear for 4 to 5 minutes per side until deeply browned and an instant-read thermometer reads 165 F / 74 C at the thickest piece. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the second batch.
Assemble the Bowls
  1. Divide the rice among four bowls. Top with the seared chicken, diced cucumber, diced tomato, and sliced red onion.
  2. Spoon the yogurt sauce over each bowl and finish with chopped parsley. Serve right away.

Notes

  • Marinate chicken at least 30 minutes, longer improves flavor
  • Sear chicken in two batches so it browns instead of steams
  • Pull chicken at 165 F / 74 C internal at the thickest strip
  • Chop cucumber and tomato right before serving to avoid a soggy bowl