This chicken shawarma plate recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner. What I love about this chicken dinner is how easy it is to make, full of super food benefits, and is a great flavorful way to season chicken.
I've been making this for quick weeknight meals when I want something satisfying but don’t feel like turning on the oven.
If you like this dish, you should try my Za'atar Chicken Recipe, Greek Chicken Meatballs (without breadcrumbs), Old Bay Chicken Wings Recipe or my Chicken Fajita Casserole (with rice)
It is amazing over rice or in a pita pocket and makes for a delicious shawarma flavored meal. You don't HAVE to add the tahini dressing but it really gives it a juicy addition. I also finds it's great with an extra squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

Why You Will Love This Dinner
Versatile meal – Serve it with rice, over salad, or in a pita!
Easy cooking – Everything comes together quickly in one pan.
Healthy ingredients – Protein-packed chicken with anti-inflammatory spices and healthy fats.
Ingredients
- Chicken breast – A lean, high-protein option that cooks quickly and absorbs flavor well.
- Olive oil – Helps crisp the chicken and carry the spices.
- Turmeric, cinnamon, cumin – Warm, earthy spices that give this dish classic Middle Eastern flavor.
- Salt & pepper – Simple seasoning to enhance the rest.
- Tahini – Creamy, nutty, and rich in healthy fats – perfect for a drizzle.
- Lemon juice – Adds brightness and balances the richness of tahini.
- Water – Loosens the tahini to make it drizzle-able.
What is Tahini?
Tahini is a paste made of ground sesame seeds and often found in Mediterranean dishes such as hummus and baba ganoush recipes.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap chicken for tofu or chickpeas for a plant-based version
- Use Greek yogurt instead of tahini for a different kind of creamy sauce
- Add chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, or red onion for crunch
- Serve over quinoa, couscous, or in a pita wrap

The spices for the turmeric chicken recipe sound a little crazy and a lot to throw together, but I promise its very simple and healthy! Hello to anti-inflammatory and blood sugar stabilizing super foods.
How to make
Step 1:
In a bowl, toss diced chicken with olive oil, turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, salt, and pepper. Let sit for 10–15 minutes if you have time.
Step 2:
Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through.
Step 3:
In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, and water until smooth. Add more water as needed for a thinner consistency.
Step 4:
Assemble your plate: Add rice, greens, or pita, top with cooked chicken, and drizzle with tahini dressing.

Tips and Notes
- Dice chicken evenly to ensure even cooking
- Make the tahini dressing ahead of time—it keeps well for up to a week
- Adjust spices to your liking—add paprika or garlic powder for extra punch
- Great for meal prep—double the recipe and enjoy throughout the week
Serving Suggestions
- Over a bed of rice or quinoa
- In a warm pita with greens and veggies
- On top of a big salad with pickled onions and cucumbers
- Alongside roasted sweet potatoes or cauliflower
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storage:
Store chicken and tahini dressing in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating:
Reheat chicken in a skillet over low heat or microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
Tips:
If the tahini thickens in the fridge, whisk in a splash of water before serving.
I hope you are Over the Spoon for this recipe!
It is my goal to inspire you to create healthy and easy meals.
It would mean the world if you could leave a review or a star rating below!
Meal prep can be so easy and still flavorful. Don't let your chicken dishes be boring!

Easy Chicken Shawarma Plate with Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast (diced into cubes)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 4 tbsp tahini
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- In a small bowl mix together all spices.
- Dice chicken and coat chicken in spices.
- Heat olive oil on medium heat and cook chicken on stove top making sure to flip chicken for approximately 10 minutes or until cooked through.
- For the sauce, whisk together tahini, water, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Option to add salt.
- Serve chicken with either rice, over lettuce, in a pita pocket, or by itself- drizzling tahini sauce on top to serve.


The tahini dressing came out rather thick so I wasn't able to drizzle it. Suggestions?
Hi Nancy! Thanks for reaching out. You can keep adding water, about a teaspoon at a time, and whisk until desired consistency. This should not change the flavor but it will make it easier to drizzle.
This was so quick and easy! Served it with spinach, tomatoes, and cauliflower rice!
Was looking for a new (and healthy) chicken recipe for dinner and discovered this. This tahini dressing makes it so flavorful. It has a great flavor and it was simple to make.. Yum! Thanks for posting this recipe.
Totally making it again for sure!
This has become a staple in our house!!