High Protein Chicken Shawarma Bowl

This High Protein Chicken Shawarma Bowl brings all the warm, spiced flavors of street-style shawarma into a fresh, filling bowl you can make at home. Juicy marinated chicken is seared until charred at the edges, then piled over fluffy rice with crisp vegetables, chickpeas, and a creamy garlic sauce. It is high in protein, big on flavor, and perfect for meal prep lunches all week long.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
• Fresh parsley and lemon wedges, for serving
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, grated
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken: Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, salt, and pepper. Coat the chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight in the fridge.
2. Make the garlic sauce: Stir together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, grated garlic, and salt. Set aside.
3. Sear the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side until charred at the edges and cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
4. Build the bowls: Divide the rice among bowls. Top with sliced chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, chickpeas, and red cabbage.
5. Finish and serve: Drizzle generously with garlic sauce, sprinkle with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.

Pro tip: Let the chicken rest before slicing — it keeps the juices in the meat instead of on the cutting board. For meal prep, keep the sauce separate until serving so everything stays fresh.

Estimated nutrition per serving: 540 calories, 48g protein, 42g carbohydrates, 17g fat.