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    Watch What U Eat > Main Course

    Shawarma Chicken Hummus Bowl With Quinoa

    Published: Jan 14, 2025 by Watch What U Eat · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    JUMP TO RECIPE
    A bowl filled with shawarma chicken, creamy hummus, fluffy quinoa, and roasted peppers, topped with fresh cilantro, olives and lime for garnish.
    A bowl filled with shawarma chicken, creamy hummus, fluffy quinoa, and roasted peppers, topped with fresh cilantro, olives and lime for garnish.

    This super flavourful, satisfying, and filling chicken hummus bowl with quinoa is a must-try dish for a healthy meal. The colors and flavors in this Mediterranean-style dish are so irresistible.

    Assembled roasted shawarma chicken hummus bowl with quinoa and peppers, topped with fresh herbs, olives and lime wedges.

    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.

    Jump to:
    • What is special about this dish
    • Ingredients
    • Best hummus for hummus bowl
    • Chicken breasts vs chicken thighs and what to use?
    • Preparation tips!
    • Easy chicken shawarma marinade
    • How to make chicken hummus bowl
    • Serving suggestions
    • Helpful tips
    • Recipe variations
    • FAQs
    • 📖 Recipe

    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

    Ingredients for a shawarma chicken hummus bowl, including chicken, hummus, quinoa, and spices etc., neatly arranged on a flat surface.
    • 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.

    Preparation tips!

    Sliced raw chicken, bell peppers, olives and chopped garlic in separate bowls on flat surface.
    • 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).

    Sliced raw chicken with shawarma spice mix, salt and garlic in a mixing bowl ready for marination.
    Raw chicken marinated with shawarma spices in a mixing bowl.

    Suggested marinating time - marinate the chicken with shawarma spice blend for at least 30 mins. Or do it a few hours before cooking for even better results.

    The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful it will be. If you marinate the chicken for more than 1 hr, put it in the refrigerator to avoid going bad.

    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.

    Marinated chicken in a skillet is ready to cook.
    Roasted shawarma chicken in a skillet with wooden spatula.

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

    Roasted red peppers in a skillet with wooden spatula.

    OR

    Oven-roasted shawarma chicken and peppers.

    Preheat oven to 400F. Place sliced bell peppers on a large baking sheet. Add some shawarma spice mix and rub on the bell peppers. Spread the peppers evenly on one side of the tray.

    Spread marinated chicken pieces on the other side of the tray. Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 18 mins. Finally, turn on the broiler mode and broil the peppers and chicken for 2-3 mins to get the roasted texture and colors.

    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.

    A bowl with creamy hummus shawarma chicken and fluffy quinoa
    A bowl filled with shawarma chicken, hummus, quinoa, and roasted peppers, topped with fresh cilantro, olives and lime for garnish.

    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.
    Assembled roasted shawarma chicken hummus bowl with quinoa and peppers, garnished with fresh herbs, olives and lime wedges.

    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.

    FAQs

    Can you make a hummus bowl ahead of time?

    Yes. Prepare roasted chicken, bell peppers, and hummus ahead of time, and cook the quinoa fresh. Simply assemble and serve warm.
    I prefer cooking quinoa fresh, which I recommend for a happy stomach and fresh taste. However, you can also make it ahead of time.

    Can I skip the hummus?

    Yes, you can skip the hummus and use either tzatziki, babaganoush, or this creamy avocado sauce, etc.

    Can I use a different marinade to flavor the chicken?

    Yes. You can make it with your choice of flavors.
    For example, Indian spice blends used in this tandoori chicken or chicken tikka masala recipe will also work.

    More Chicken Recipes You Will Love

    • Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs
    • Crispy Ground Chicken Nuggets
    • Easy Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
    • Chicken Taco Rice Casserole Skillet
    • Indian Healthy Butter Chicken Meatballs
    • Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
    • Lemon Chicken Soup With Orzo

    More Wholesome Bowl Recipes

    • Ground turkey, beans, greens and quinoa topped with fresh cucumber, avocado and salsa in a serving bowl to serve as a burrito bowl.
      Black Bean Quinoa Turkey Burrito Bowls
    • Healthy and Delicious Vietnamese Summer Rolls Salad
      Vietnamese Summer Rolls Salad Bowl
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    • Roasted Veggie & Quinoa Bowl
    Shawarma chicken hummus bowl - a bowl filled with shawarma chicken, creamy hummus, fluffy quinoa, and roasted peppers, topped with fresh cilantro, olives and lime for garnish.

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments if you REALLY like this recipe. Thank You!

    📖 Recipe

    A bowl filled with shawarma chicken, creamy hummus, fluffy quinoa, and roasted peppers, topped with fresh cilantro, olives and lime for garnish.
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Shawarma Chicken Hummus Bowl With Quinoa

    Make this shawarma chicken hummus bowl with quinoa and roasted bell peppers—a healthy and satisfying meal packed with protein and Mediterranean flavors.
    Course: Lunch / Dinner
    Cuisine: Mediterranean Inspired
    Diet Gluten Free
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes minutes
    Servings :5
    Calories :427kcal
    Author:Swati Kadam Gulati

    Would you like to save this recipe?

    Email yourself a link to this post and come back to it later!

    Ingredients

    • 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-size pieces
    • 2 bell peppers sliced
    • ½ cup creamy hummus
    • 2-3 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro/parsley
    • ¼ cup black olives halved
    • 2 teaspoon cooking oil

    Shawarma marinade

    • 1 ½ tablespoon shawarma spice blend store-bought or make your own (see notes)
    • 2-3 garlic cloves minced
    • 1-2 tablespoon lime juice
    • salt (divided)

    For quinoa

    • 1 cup quinoa
    • 2 cups water/chicken broth (or mix)

    Instructions

    Marinating the chicken

    • In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken with shawarma spice mix, minced garlic, lime juice, and salt. Mix everything well.

    Prepare quinoa

    • In a saucepan, add quinoa, water, or broth, bring it to a boil, season with salt, and cook it for 15 mins on low heat. Cover and let it rest.

    Cooking chicken

    • Meanwhile, heat the cooking oil in a large skillet. Add marinated chicken and saute it for about 15 mins or until well done. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it and keep it aside.

    Cooking peppers

    • In the same pan, add 1-2 tablespoon of water and deglaze the pan after cooking the chicken. Add sliced bell peppers and stir fry for 3-4 mins.

    Assembling the hummus bowl

    • Layer creamy hummus in a shallow serving bowl. Add cooked quinoa, roasted chicken shawarma, and roasted bell peppers. Top it with olives and fresh cilantro/parsley. Optionally, add lime wedges and some pita chips. Serve warm.

    Notes

    1. Homemade shawarma spice blend: In a small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon cumin powder, ½ teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon nutmeg powder, 2 teaspoon coriander powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
    2. Cook the bell peppers in the same pan using leftover spiced drippings after cooking the chicken.
    3. Quinoa options: use cooked rice, cauliflower rice, or mashed potatoes instead of quinoa.
    4. You can use chicken breasts instead of thighs. Make sure not to overcook them to avoid a rubbery and chewy texture.
    5. For the oven-bake marinated chicken and peppers version, see details in the article above.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 427kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 172mg | Sodium: 370mg | Potassium: 816mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1590IU | Vitamin C: 63mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag us on Instagram @watchwhatueat or tag #watchwhatueat! OR leave us a comment & rating below. Your feedback is very important to us.
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    About Watch What U Eat

    We are Swati and Tushar, our passion for food and cooking has now led us to share some healthy, tasty recipes and the benefits of eating certain ingredients with the goal of inspiring you to eat well and live well.

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      5 from 1 vote

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Maggie says

      January 23, 2025 at 10:58 am

      5 stars
      Tried this Shwarma bowl for dinner last night! Very flavorful and filling - everyone enjoyed every bit of it , including kids. Will be making it more often. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

      Reply
    2. Watch What U Eat says

      January 23, 2025 at 10:52 am

      Reply

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    Hi, we are Swati and Tushar! Our passion for food and cooking has led us to write this blog focusing on healthy recipes to eat well and live well!

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