Keto Chicken Shawarma Bowl with Tahini Sauce

Why This Is Strictly Keto

The chicken is marinated in warm spices, garlic, lemon and olive oil — no flour-based marinade thickeners — and it’s served over cauliflower rice instead of the pita bread and white rice a traditional shawarma plate would use, keeping the whole bowl genuinely low-carb.

Ingredients

Chicken

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Bowl

• 4 cups riced cauliflower, sautéed
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives

Tahini Sauce

• 1/4 cup tahini
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 3–4 tablespoons warm water
• Salt, to taste

Instructions

1. Marinate: Combine olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and all spices in a bowl. Add chicken thighs, coat thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate at least 2 hours (up to overnight).

2. Cook the cauliflower rice: Sauté riced cauliflower in a splash of olive oil over medium heat for 5–6 minutes until just tender. Season with salt.

3. Sear the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken thighs 6–7 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through (165°F internal). Rest 5 minutes, then slice.

4. Make the tahini sauce: Whisk tahini, lemon juice, garlic and warm water together until smooth and pourable. Season with salt.

5. Assemble: Divide cauliflower rice among bowls, top with sliced chicken, cucumber, tomatoes and olives. Drizzle generously with tahini sauce.

Nutritional Info (per serving, approximate)

Tips

• Marinating overnight gives the deepest flavor, but 2 hours is enough to season the chicken well.
• Boston lettuce cups also work in place of the cauliflower rice base.
• Leftover tahini sauce keeps in the fridge for up to a week.