When you think of Chicken Shawarma, you probably don’t think of the word healthy! But it certainly can be, it’s all in the prep and the ingredients. You can have healthy chicken shawarma – choose white meat over dark meat, use olive oil, reduce the dairy and bake or grill your chicken. Plus, it’s what you eat on the side – are you choosing healthy sides or piling on the carbs? Here’s my version of Healthy Chicken Shawarma with Gluten Free Tabouleh and Coconut Yoghurt Tahini.
Healthy Chicken Shawarma + Gluten Free Tabouleh
Most traditional recipes will use a mix of dark meat and white, the fat from the dark meat will provide an extra bit of fat and flavour! But for this recipe, I’m using white chicken – lower in fat, high in protein and with the right spices, bursting with flavours! I’m also splurging on my chicken – I use free range, organic chicken. I also remove the dairy, and use plant based yoghurt for my marination.
In addition, I’m serving up this yummy chicken with a side of gluten-free tabouleh! Tabouleh is basically a simple parsley salad. And instead of heavy dairy, I made a Coconut Yoghurt Tahini Sauce to put on top of my Healthy Chicken Shawarma – lower in carbs and fat, but full of taste. You can also serve with a simple garlic sauce – made with only 3 ingredients garlic, lemon and olive oil!
Why You Should Eat A High Protein Diet?
High protein diets result in faster weight loss and a better body composition – more lean muscle and less body fat! The more lean muscle you have, the higher your metabolic rate. A high protein diet should consist of at least 40% of your daily calories should come from protein. Not sure how to calculate your macros – go here.
High quality protein sources include chicken, meat, whole eggs, whey protein, fish and even including plant protein in your sources. Although you may think a high protein diet consists of not much variety, it doesn’t need to be boring! Enter this recipe.
What’s in this Healthy Chicken Shawarma?
This recipe provides a high protein dose! Perfect healthy meal you can prepare and eat for dinner or lunch! Here’s what you’ll need.
Organic Free Range Chicken – for this recipe, I’m using organic free range chicken breast, only white meat to reduce the fat and calories. You can use thighs if you prefer darker meat – perfect if you’re keto.
Spices – There are a lot of spices in shawarma, and none of them should be skipped out if you want that traditional flavor. Plus spices don’t add calories, so make sure to include all.
Capsicum & Red Onion – When putting the chicken onto the skewers, you can use chopped capsicum in between, plus a little red onion too. Capsicum and onion will provide some extra flavour, and the perfect addition to your protein!
Garlic – An immune boosting ingredient, and delicious flavor addition. You can use freshly pressed, minced or purchase already pressed garlic.
Lemon – Citrus provides the acid in the marination and a flavour boost too. Be sure to remove the seeds when squeezing!
Coconut Yoghurt – The good bacteria in the yoghurt helps with the marination process, breaking down the chicken and tenderizing it. You won’t even notice that there is no dairy, but if you prefer you can replace coconut yoghurt with Greek yoghurt instead.
How to Make Healthy Chicken Shawarma
It will require some prep time, but it will be worth it in the end. Marinate the chicken and let it sit for a few hours before skewering, grilling or baking it! Serve with Coconut Yoghurt Tahini and Tabouleh.
Healthy Chicken Shawarma with Coconut Yoghurt Tahini and Gluten Free Tabouleh
This recipe require some prep time, but it will be worth it in the end. Marinate the chicken and let it sit for a few hours before skewering, grilling or baking it! Serve with Coconut Yoghurt Tahini and Tabouleh.
Healthy Chicken Shawarma
- 1 tbsp Coriander
- 1 tbsp Cumin
- 2 tsp Parprika
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Chilli Powder
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon Powder
- 1/2 tsp Clove Powder
- 1/2 tsp Nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp All Spice
- 1/2 tsp Cardamom Powder
- 50 g Coconut Yoghurt or Dairy Yoghurt
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 3 cloves Pressed Garlic
- 500 g Chicken Breasts, Cut in Cubes
Coconut Yoghurt Tahini
- 50 g Coconut Yoghurt
- 2 cloves Pressed Garlic
- 1 tbsp Tahini
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
- pinch Salt
Gluten-Free Tabouleh
- 1 cup Diced Cucumber
- 1 cup Diced Tomato
- 1 bunch Flat Parsley Chopped
- 1/3 cup Fresh Mint Chopped
- 1/2 small Red Onion Finely Chopped
- 1/3 cup Olive Oil
- 3 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 clove Pressed Garlic
Healthy Chicken Shawarma
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In a large zip bag, place all the dry ingredients.
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In a bowl, place all the wet ingredients and mix throughly, then add to zip bag.
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Add in chopped chicken, zip and mix! Place in the fridge for min of 30 minutes, to max of 4 hours!
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Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
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Remove chicken from fridge, skewer on wooden sticks.
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Add pieces of capsicum and red onion between 2 to 3 chicken pieces.
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Place in oven for 30 minutes, or until fully cooked.
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While resting prepare the Coconut Yoghurt Tahini and Gluten Free Tabouleh!
LAUREN’S TIPS
- Make this chicken in advance, serve it with carbs like brown rice or baked potatoes or reduce the carbs and have it with salad and grilled veggies instead.
- Eating a high protein, low carb diet is ideal for maintaining a fit and trim physique – not sure how to get there – go here!
Until Next Time,
Be Fierce & Rule the World!
Lauren Jacobsen
