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Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad

A flavorful salad featuring marinated chicken, crispy rice, and fresh vegetables that brings a delightful crunch to your meal.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

For the chicken marinade
  • 500 grams boneless chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for marinating
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the salad
  • 200 grams long grain rice, cooked and cooled Spread on a baking sheet to cool
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for frying rice
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for the salad mixture
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, ground cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cayenne pepper, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Add the chicken to the bowl and toss to coat. Let it marinate for 30 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, cook the rice according to package directions until tender. Spread cooled rice on a baking sheet to allow excess moisture to evaporate.
Cooking
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until grains turn golden and crisp, about 8–10 minutes. Transfer rice to a bowl and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, add the marinated chicken and cook over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes per side. Remove chicken and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
Assembly
  1. In a large bowl, combine crispy rice, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss gently to combine.
  2. Divide salad among serving plates, top with sliced chicken shawarma, and drizzle any pan juices from the skillet over the top.

Notes

Store in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Keep the rice and salad components separate until you're ready to eat. Reheat the rice in a skillet for best results.