Shawarma Chicken Hummus Bowl With Quinoa

I love making wholesome dishes, such as one-pot Mexican chicken and rice, that include grains, veggies/greens, and protein all in one dish for a healthy and easy lunch or dinner.

Likewise, this shawarma chicken hummus bowl is prepared with healthy protein, fluffy quinoa, and roasted veggies.

What is special about this dish

• Protein-rich and a filling bowl for a healthy meal.
• Loaded with flavors and aromas that will make you more hungry.
• Colorful veggies and toppings in a bowl make it tempting.
• Easy to prepare and ready in 30-45 mins. if you have all the ingredients.
• Perfect for the party crowd.
• You can include this hummus bowl in summer barbeque menus.
• Versatile - customize toppings as per your liking.

Ingredients

• Chicken - I usually purchase boneless and skinless chicken thighs. For this recipe, I like to cut it into ½" stripes (like fajita style). However, you can dice it into bite-size pieces. Or keep it whole and cut after cooking to avoid handling raw meat. In our local meat shop, they cut it the way you want. You can use chicken breasts as well if you prefer it.
• Hummus - most of the time, I prepare it at home. If you are busy and want to skip this step, buy good quality hummus from the store.
• Shawarma marinade/spice blend - use a store-bought blend or make your special blend using ground cumin, coriander, paprika, nutmeg, turmeric, black pepper, and, of course, salt to get the shawarma flavors in the chicken and veggies.
• Veggies - use different colored bell peppers to make a nutritious and inviting dish.
• Quinoa - cook the quinoa according to package instructions. Use either broth or water to cook it.
• Oil - any cooking oil like avocado or olive oil (made for sauteeing and grilling with a high smoke point) will work for making roasted veggies and shawarma chicken. You can also add some extra-virgin olive to the quinoa while cooking and drizzle some on the final dish.
• Toppings - you can use sliced olives, chopped cilantro or parsley, pita chips, lime wedges, etc., to garnish and as toppings on the quinoa and hummus bowl.

See the recipe card below for more details and quantities.

Best hummus for hummus bowl

Buy good quality hummus without any unfamiliar ingredients. Even best if you make it at home using canned or chickpeas cooked at home.

I use classic hummus in this recipe to enjoy the shawarma chicken flavors. However, you can make hummus with flavors like roasted red pepper hummus. Or, prepare pumpkin hummus to make this hummus bowl perfect for the fall season. Use seasonal spring green peas to prepare hummus with peas.

Chicken breasts vs chicken thighs and what to use?

I prefer using boneless chicken thighs over the breasts. A thigh cut is more juicy upon cooking. Chicken breast tends to dry out when cooking and can easily become tough and chewy if they are cooked at high temperatures for longer periods. Also, chicken breasts are the more expensive cut of the chicken.

If you know how to cook chicken breasts perfectly, you can use them in this recipe.

• Cut chicken into strips - slice chicken thighs into thin ½" stripes. Or you can cook the marinated thighs and then cut them into strips.
• Cut peppers - Trim the end, remove seeds, and slice bell peppers into ½" stripes.
• Olives - cut them in half.
• Garlic - finely mince or chop it to distribute in the shawarma chicken marinade evenly.

Easy chicken shawarma marinade

In a large bowl, combine chicken with shawarma spice blend, minced garlic, oil, and some lime juice, and mix everything well to coat the chicken with the marinade evenly.

Use store-bought shawarma spice blend or make it at home. To prepare a homemade blend, combine ground cumin, coriander, paprika, nutmeg, turmeric, black pepper, and salt; mix well (see the Notes section in the recipe card).

How to make chicken hummus bowl

Step 1: Pan-roasted shawarma chicken and peppers

Heat some cooking oil in a large cast iron skillet on medium heat. Add marinated chicken and cook until it is well done and all the water evaporates. Once done, take it out and keep it aside.

Then, add sliced bell peppers in the same pan and saute for 3-4 mins. Or cook it until tender, as per your preference.

Step 2: Prepare quinoa

Meanwhile, cook the quinoa with broth or water and some salt. Generally, it takes 15-18 mins to cook it on the stovetop.

Step 3: Assemble the chicken and hummus bowl

In a medium to large serving bowl, layer the hummus. Place fluffed quinoa and top it with roasted shawarma chicken, peppers, olives, cilantro or parsley, lime wedges, pita chips, etc. Optionally drizzle extra virgin olive oil and serve warm.

Serving suggestions

• Serve this chicken hummus bowl for a filling and wholesome lunch or dinner.
• Make homemade whole wheat pita to pair with it, or serve pita chips on the side.
• Prepare simple detox broccoli soup or healthy creamy potato soup with the hummus bowl. These are some nice combinations to make for the guests, family dinners, or party nights.
• Prepare non-alcoholic drinks like refreshing mango lemonade or strawberry lime detox water to pair with it.

Helpful tips

• Use organic chicken whenever possible. If you use chicken breasts, do not follow the steps to broil the chicken after cooking. Breast cuts dry out easily and toughen at high temperatures.
• To get the juicy, moist, and tender chicken, remove it from the heat as soon as the water in the pan evaporates. You may not get the roasted crust at this stage, but the chicken will be tender and moist.
• Do not overcook bell peppers. Keep them slightly crunchy.
• During summer, you can grill marinated chicken and bell peppers on the barbeque grill and enjoy a smokey taste in the dish.

Recipe variations

• Make it into shwarma chicken and hummus salad -- skip making quinoa and add a generous amount of greens like arugula or mixed salad greens to prepare a hummus salad bowl. Drizzle some extra virgin oil on the greens.
• Make it vegetarian - make roasted cauliflower or chickpeas using a shawarma spice blend and serve it instead of chicken. Or prepare falafel at home from scratch or using a store-bought mix and prepare a hummus falafel bowl.
• Use different toppings - Some options to consider are feta cheese, grilled zucchini, sliced cucumber, tzatziki, babaganoush, harissa, etc.

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• Crispy Ground Chicken Nuggets
• Easy Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
• Chicken Taco Rice Casserole Skillet
• Indian Healthy Butter Chicken Meatballs
• Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
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