Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing

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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!

Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing | Get Inspired Everyday!

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.

Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing | Get Inspired Everyday!

Let’s talk about how to make this Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing!

Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing | Get Inspired Everyday!

The chicken for this salad is marinated in all sorts of herbs and spices which adds a nice extra dimension.

Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing | Get Inspired Everyday!

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.

Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing | Get Inspired Everyday!

Next all the veggies get prepped, and ready to go into a large salad bowl.

Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing | Get Inspired Everyday!

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.

Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing | Get Inspired Everyday!
Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing | Get Inspired Everyday!
Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing | Get Inspired Everyday!

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 | Get Inspired Everyday!

Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing


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5 from 9 reviews

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

Scale

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:

12 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

28 thoughts on “Grilled Chicken Shawarma Salad with Tahini Dressing”

  1. Oh My! That chicken , the marinade, the tahini dressing, I can go on and on but I will be trying this recipe out today since I just happen to have all the ingredients.






    Reply
  2. I marinate and grill so seldomly, but you make me feel inspired. This salad looks so complete and appealing!






    Reply
    • Once you get going with grilling, it’s hard to stop! It’s such a great alternative to cooking indoors when it’s hot out!

      Reply
  3. Drooling over this! That chicken looks so perfect with that dressing – what a beautiful and nourishing meal!






    Reply
  4. This looks delicious! I am going to try it even though it is winter here in Australia. Great photos, thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

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