This Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing brings you all the flavors of chicken shawarma but loaded with fresh veggies. I kept this recipe as simple and minimal as possible so it’s easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner. This salad is extra perfect for the height of summer when cucumbers and tomatoes are abundant!
It’s so easy for me to get into a rut when making salads. I find myself often relying on cheese as a primary flavor booster. But since I’m trying to keep my dairy intake down to a respectable level, (you know… somewhere below putting cheese on absolutely everything) I’ve been working on branching out this summer.
First up there was my Vietnamese Chicken Salad which was followed by my Sweet Chili Chicken and Mango Salad. And now today, we’re on to this Chicken Shawarma Salad. All 3 are dairy free, but no less packed with flavor.
Let’s talk about how to make this Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing!
The chicken for this salad is marinated in all sorts of herbs and spices which adds a nice extra dimension.
Then while the chicken is marinating, you make a super easy tahini dressing in the blender. You can always whisk it together by hand, but I love using my blender because it makes this dressing really fast to make.
Next all the veggies get prepped, and ready to go into a large salad bowl.
And finally you grill the chicken to add in last. I think adding chicken still warm from the grill to a salad really brings out the flavors.
With the fresh herbs in this recipe, you can use either cilantro or mint. But if you happen to have a plentiful supply, definitely use both because fresh herbs are everything in a summer salad!
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Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing
- Total Time: 55 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing brings you all the flavors of chicken shawarma but loaded with fresh veggies. I kept this recipe as simple and minimal as possible so it’s easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner. This salad is extra perfect for the height of summer when cucumbers and tomatoes are abundant!
Ingredients
Marinated Chicken:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/2 Teaspoon smoked paprika, see notes
1 Teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 Teaspoon cayenne, or to your taste
1/2 Teaspoon ground turmeric
1 Teaspoon ground corriander
1/2 Teaspoon ground cardamom
2 clove garlic, minced
1/2 Teaspoon sea salt
Tahini Dressing:
1/4 cup tahini
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/3 cup olive oil
1 Teaspoon ground cumin
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 Teaspoon sea salt
Salad Ingredients:
1–2 heads romaine, washed and chopped, about 12 cups
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 8 ounces
1 English cucumber, cut in half and thinly sliced, 3 cups, 10 ounces
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced, 1 cup, 4 ounces
1 ripe avocado, sliced
Instructions
Mix together the chicken with the olive oil, all the spices, garlic, and sea salt until completely combined. Marinate for at least 1 hour, but 8 hours or overnight is even better.
When you’re ready to cook the chicken, prepare the dressing. Add all the ingredients for the dressing to a blender, and blend until smooth. Set the dressing aside until the serving time.
Preheat the grill over medium high heat until the grill reaches 350º-400ºF.
While the grill heats, start preparing all of the salad ingredients.
When the grill is heated, place the chicken on the clean grill and cook about 5-6 minutes, or until the chicken loosens and is easy to turn. Grill and additional 4-5 minutes on the 2nd side, or until the chicken is done and no longer pink in the center.
When the chicken is done, let is cool slightly before slicing or cubing it up for the salad.
Serve the salad with the warm chicken, and tahini dressing.
Notes
You can use regular paprika if you can’t find smoked paprika, but that added smokiness is worth tracking it down, and using it often.
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
This chicken salad is so beautifully put together. I have lots of chicken in the fridge this week so the timing is perfect. Lunch or dinner coming up!
Thanks so much, and I sure hope you enjoy it!
So gorgeous !! I want to eat them right now ! This will be perfect for work day lunch too !
Thanks so much!
Lovin’ this salad! Fave flavours! Tahini dressings are a hit with my friends.
Will share this recipe and pin to make asap!!
Thanks!
Thanks so much, and I sure hope you enjoy it!
Chicken shawarma is one of our favorite recipes, and I love it over a good salad! Looks so refreshing and delicious.
Me too, I just love the flavors!