Keto Chicken Shawarma Salad Bowl is a bold, Middle Eastern–inspired low-carb meal packed with marinated spiced chicken, fresh veggies, and creamy tahini dressing without the carbs. This Keto Chicken Shawarma Salad Bowl recipe delivers fast prep, high protein, and vibrant flavor perfect for meal prep, weight loss, busy weeknights, and anyone craving a satisfying keto salad that hits hard and stays fully low carb.

About This Recipe

If you’ve ever smelled chicken shawarma roasting on a spit, you know it’s impossible not to crave that smoky, spiced aroma. This keto salad version delivers all the same flavor, minus the flatbread and carbs. It’s bright, savory, and satisfying, thanks to tender chicken marinated in Middle Eastern spices, cool cucumbers, and a creamy garlic yogurt sauce that ties everything together.

The secret to perfect shawarma at home isn’t complicated — it’s the spice blend. A mix of smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garlic gives the chicken a deep, aromatic crust once seared. Lemon juice and olive oil keep it juicy, while a little Greek yogurt or mayonnaise in the marinade makes it melt-in-your-mouth tender.

This bowl is more than just “chicken on salad.” The textures and contrasts make it something you’ll actually crave: the heat of the spiced meat against the chill of lettuce and tomato, the tang of pickled onions, and the cooling drizzle of garlicky sauce. It’s meal-prep friendly too — everything can be made ahead and assembled in minutes.

Instead of a carb-heavy pita, this version goes heavy on vegetables and fat-balanced toppings. That’s the beauty of keto shawarma: you get all the flavor payoff of a takeout wrap with none of the sluggish crash. It’s fresh, high-protein, and built entirely around real ingredients.

Serve it cold, warm, or layered into jars for a grab-and-go lunch that feels restaurant-worthy. This bowl captures that perfect balance between bold spices, creamy dressing, and crisp greens — the kind of keto meal that doesn’t feel like a compromise at all.

Also Read: Thirty Birthday Cakes You Need to Try!


Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Big shawarma flavor without carbs or bread
  • High-protein and meal-prep friendly
  • Creamy garlic dressing brings everything together
  • Fresh, colorful, and satisfying even cold
  • Easy to customize with your favorite veggies

Ingredients

  • Chicken & Marinade
  • 1.1 lb chicken breast or thighs, sliced thin
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Greek yogurt or mayo (optional, for tenderness)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp coriander
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne (adjust for spice)
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Salad Base
  • 3 cups chopped romaine or mixed greens
  • 1/2 cucumber, sliced
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 red onion, pickled or thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro
  • Garlic Sauce
  • 3 tbsp mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 small garlic clove, grated
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken: Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl. Add chicken and mix well. Let rest at least 20 minutes (or overnight in the fridge).
  2. Cook: Heat a skillet over medium-high. Add chicken and cook 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Rest 2 minutes, then slice.
  3. Prepare the garlic sauce: Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust salt or lemon to taste.
  4. Assemble the bowl: Layer greens, cucumber, tomatoes, and onions. Top with chicken slices.
  5. Finish: Drizzle garlic sauce over the top, sprinkle with parsley, and serve immediately or chill for meal prep. 

Nutrition (per serving)

  • Calories: 480
  • Fat: 33 g
  • Protein: 41 g
  • Net Carbs: 6 g

FAQ

  • Can I use store-bought shawarma seasoning?
    Yes, just check the label for added sugar or starch — most blends are fine.
  • Can I meal-prep this bowl?
    Absolutely. Store each component separately and assemble when ready to eat.
  • Is it good cold?
    It’s even better chilled, as the flavors develop while resting.
  • Can I air-fry the chicken?
    Yes — 375 °F for about 10 minutes gives perfect caramelization.

Variations & Substitutions

  • Swap chicken for shrimp or lamb.
  • Add feta or olives for a Mediterranean twist.
  • Use cauliflower rice instead of greens for a heavier meal.
  • Replace yogurt with tahini if you want dairy-free.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve with a side of roasted eggplant, zucchini fries, or cauliflower rice. For meal-prep, layer sauce at the bottom of jars and chicken on top to keep greens fresh.

Keto Chicken Shawarma Salad Bowl

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 3 Servings
Calories 480
Juicy, spice-rubbed chicken served over crisp greens with creamy garlic dressing and tangy pickled onions — a bold, low-carb shawarma bowl that packs huge flavor without the wrap.

Ingredients

Chicken & Marinade

  • 1.1 lb chicken breast or thighs (sliced thin)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Greek yogurt or mayo (optional, for tenderness)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp coriander
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne (adjust for spice)
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon

Salad Base

  • 3 cups chopped romaine or mixed greens
  • 1/2 cucumber (sliced)
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 1/4 red onion (pickled or thinly sliced)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro

Garlic Sauce

  • 3 tbsp mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 small garlic clove (grated)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt to taste

Instructions 

  • Marinate the chicken: Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl. Add chicken and mix well. Let rest at least 20 minutes (or overnight in the fridge).
  • Cook: Heat a skillet over medium-high. Add chicken and cook 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Rest 2 minutes, then slice.
  • Prepare the garlic sauce: Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust salt or lemon to taste.
  • Assemble the bowl: Layer greens, cucumber, tomatoes, and onions. Top with chicken slices.
  • Finish: Drizzle garlic sauce over the top, sprinkle with parsley, and serve immediately or chill for meal prep.
Calories: 480kcal
Course: LUNCH
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keyword: keto chicken shawarma, keto salad bowl chicken, low carb shawarma bowl, lunch, middle eastern / keto

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