Homemade Shawarma Bowl That Tastes Better Than Takeout

This classic chicken shawarma bowl is packed with bold Middle Eastern flavors and built for balance. Juicy yogurt-marinated chicken is seasoned with warm spices, grilled until perfectly caramelized, and served over fluffy basmati rice. It’s finished with sumac onions, fresh diced cucumber and tomatoes, creamy garlic sauce, and a spoon of spicy ajvar for heat.

This is a no-nonsense shawarma bowl. Savory, tangy, creamy, and fresh in every bite. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or when you want authentic street-food flavor at home.

INGREDIENT LIST
Chicken Shawarma

1½ lb boneless skinless chicken thighs

¾ cup plain Greek yogurt

3 tbsp olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp coriander

1 tsp turmeric

½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp allspice

Juice of 1 lemon

1½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

Rice

1½ cups basmati rice

2½ cups water or chicken broth

½ tsp salt

1 tbsp butter or olive oil

Garlic Sauce

1 cup Greek yogurt

2 cloves garlic, grated

1 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt to taste

Sumac Onions

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

1 tsp sumac

Pinch of salt

Splash of lemon juice

Toppings

Diced cucumber

Diced tomatoes

Hot ajvar sauce

RECIPE
1. Marinate the Chicken

In a large bowl, mix yogurt, olive oil, garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, allspice, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Add chicken and coat thoroughly.
Cover and marinate at least 30 minutes, ideally 4–12 hours.

2. Cook the Rice

Rinse basmati rice until water runs clear.
Cook with water or broth, salt, and butter according to package instructions.
Fluff and keep warm.

3. Prepare the Sumac Onions

Toss sliced red onion with sumac, salt, and lemon juice.
Set aside to lightly pickle while everything else cooks.

4. Cook the Chicken

Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
Cook chicken 5–7 minutes per side until deeply golden and fully cooked.
Rest briefly, then slice thin.

5. Make the Garlic Sauce

Whisk yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt until smooth and creamy.

BUILD THE SHAWARMA BOWL

Start with a base of rice

Add sliced shawarma chicken

Spoon over garlic sauce

Add sumac onions

Finish with cucumber, tomatoes, and hot ajvar