Juicy Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad Recipe

If you’re craving something vibrant, filling, and flat-out irresistible, this Juicy Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad is about to become your new obsession. Imagine ultra-tender shawarma-spiced chicken, golden halloumi, bursts of fresh veg, and a crown of hot, crunchy harissa rice—all brought together with a creamy, garlicky tahini dressing. Every bite is a festival of flavors and textures, making this the kind of salad you’ll eat on repeat!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This vibrant salad comes together with a handful of beautiful ingredients, each chosen for their big flavor and texture payoff. Don’t be tempted to skip anything—each component plays a special role in creating that irresistible Juicy Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad magic!

• Cooked long-grain rice: Day-old rice works best for getting every grain nice and crispy—think savory, crackly shards rather than steamed mush.
• Harissa paste: This fiery North African pepper paste infuses the rice with a toasty heat and smoky depth you’ll crave.
• Olive oil: Helps the rice, chicken, and halloumi all reach peak crispiness and luscious richness.
• Turmeric, cumin, coriander, cinnamon: The spice mix is the heart of those classic shawarma flavors, earthy and warming.
• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Always juicy and never dry, thanks to their extra bit of fat.
• Halloumi cheese: When roasted or air-fried, this cheese turns golden with a unique squeaky texture—unbeatable in salads!
• Cucumber, tomatoes, scallions, red onion, parsley: All that freshness and crunch balances the savory spiced chicken and rice.
• Lemon juice: Brightens up the marinade and makes every layer of the salad taste sunny.
• Garlic: Essential for both the chicken marinade and the creamy dressing; don’t hold back.
• Tahini: When blended into a luscious dressing, it ties all the flavors together with its creamy, nutty goodness.
• Salt: Just the right amount of seasoning for every step, enhancing the flavors throughout.
• Water: Use this to thin the tahini dressing to pourable perfection.

Variations

The real beauty of this Juicy Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad is just how easily you can make it your own. Whether you’re riffing with what’s in your fridge or swapping ingredients for dietary needs, this is a recipe that loves to play!

• Swap halloumi for feta: If you can’t find halloumi, tangy feta adds delicious creaminess (just add it after baking for best texture).
• Make it vegetarian: Leave out the chicken and toss in crispy chickpeas or roasted cauliflower for a plant-based twist.
• Try rotisserie chicken: For a speedy shortcut, use cooked rotisserie chicken—just toss it with the shawarma marinade and bake or air fry briefly so it soaks in all those spices.
• Add more veggies: Chopped pickles, shredded carrots, or colorful bell peppers make tasty, crunchy additions and amp up the color.
• Dukkah topping: Sprinkle nutty dukkah on top before serving for an extra layer of spice and crunch.

How to Make Juicy Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad

Step 1: Cook and Cool the Rice

If you don’t have leftover rice, cook it fresh—just let it cool so the grains firm up, which helps them crisp instead of clump. Spread cooked rice onto a lined tray and chill for at least 10 minutes in the fridge (this quick step is key for that perfect crispy texture later!).

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Whisk together cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, salt, crushed garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Toss your chicken thighs in this aromatic blend and let them soak up the flavors while you prep everything else—a quick 10 minutes is great, but overnight makes them even more flavorful!

Step 3: Roast Chicken and Halloumi

Arrange marinated chicken on a lined oven tray or air fryer basket and roast until nearly cooked, then add diced halloumi and return to finish cooking. The result? Chicken that’s charred on the outside and juicy inside, with halloumi that’s chewy and golden.

Step 4: Crisp Up the Rice

Mix your cooled rice with olive oil, harissa, turmeric, and salt, then bake or air fry it until crackly and deeply golden on the edges. Give it a shake halfway through so nothing burns—the rice should be crunchy and a little spicy.

Step 5: Make the Garlic Tahini Dressing

Stir together tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and enough water to achieve a drizzle-friendly, creamy consistency. It might look stubbornly lumpy at first, but keep mixing—it suddenly turns glossy and smooth, ready to smother your salad.

Step 6: Assemble Your Salad

Slice the juicy chicken and toss into a big bowl with chopped tomato, cucumber, scallions, red onion, parsley, and hot halloumi. Heap the crunchy harissa rice over the top, pour on most of the tahini dressing, and toss until every bite is coated. Serve with extra dressing for dunking—you’ve earned it!

How to Serve Juicy Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad

Garnishes

For extra wow-factor, scatter extra chopped parsley, toasted sesame seeds, or a drizzle of harissa oil right before serving. A quick squeeze of fresh lemon over the top makes every flavor pop even more in this Juicy Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad.

Side Dishes

This salad truly shines as a meal on its own, but it’s also wonderful with pillowy warm pita, a bright tabbouleh, or simple roasted veggies. Even a tiny bowl of olives on the side feels like a party!

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your Juicy Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad on a big platter for sharing, pile it high in individual bowls for modern meal prep, or tuck it inside warm pita pockets with extra tahini drizzle for “salad sandwiches”—it’s all about what makes you happy!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. The crispy rice will soften as it sits, but the flavors meld together deliciously—perfect for fuss-free lunches and snacking.

Freezing

While the salad itself isn’t freezer-friendly (the fresh veggies don’t love it), you can absolutely freeze the cooked shawarma chicken separately for easy meal prep. Just thaw in the fridge and reheat before assembling your next salad bowl.

Reheating

If you want to revive the crispy rice or chicken, pop them in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes until hot and crunchy again. Otherwise, enjoy the Juicy Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad straight from the fridge—the flavors are even better the next day!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about digging into a fresh, colorful bowl of Juicy Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad—the combination of flavors, textures, and that dreamy tahini drizzle just brings joy! This is one of those meals that feels like a treat, but is easy enough to make any night of the week. I hope it becomes a must-repeat favorite in your home, too. Enjoy every crunchy, juicy bite!

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