High Protein Crockpot Chicken Shawarma Bowls
- Cook Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Diet: High-Protein, Gluten-Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large lemon, juiced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooked basmati rice or quinoa for serving
- Toppings: Diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onions, fresh parsley, and tzatziki or hummus
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper until well combined. This spice blend is what gives the chicken its signature shawarma aroma and deep golden color.
- Place the chicken breasts or thighs into the bottom of your crockpot. Pour the marinade over the chicken, using tongs or your hands to ensure every piece is thoroughly coated. For even more flavor, you can let the chicken sit in this marinade in the fridge for 30 minutes before starting the crockpot, but it is not strictly necessary.
- Cover the crockpot with its lid. Set it to cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. You want the chicken to be tender and easy to pierce with a fork. Avoid overcooking, especially if using chicken breasts, to ensure the meat stays juicy.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the crockpot and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. For an authentic texture, you can quickly sear the shredded chicken in a hot skillet with a splash of the leftover cooking liquid to get those slightly crispy, caramelized edges.
- Start with a base of cooked rice or greens in each bowl. Top with a generous portion of the shredded chicken. Add the fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions. Finish with a dollop of tzatziki or hummus and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.