This Paleo Whole30 Chicken Shawarma Salad is healthy and so delicious! A simple marinade infuses the chicken with wonderful flavors and is grilled to perfection. Gluten free, dairy free, low carb, and low FODMAP.
Low FODMAP
Chicken Shawarma is a Middle Eastern food that is usually heavily reliant on garlic which is not allowed on low FODMAP. Garlic oil is what is used to give it that same great taste, but without the uncomfortable side effects of garlic. Serving it with tomatoes and cucumber keeps it low FODMAP as well.
I used my Paleo Whole30 Tzatziki Sauce (also low FODMAP) as the dressing. It's no the prettiest, but it's so tasty.
Easy Marinade
The marinade is a mix of spices that is so flavorful and delicious. Don't be intimidated by the long list of ingredients, it's just dried spices that you most likely already have and some lemon juice: salt, pepper, turmeric, red pepper flakes, cumin and paprika. There is also Garam Masala added which is optional because I know it's not a super common ingredient and it's not totally necessary, but it's a blend of cardamon, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, black pepper and coriander. It's a warm spice that adds a nice depth of flavor.
This is how I stored it. I wasn't planning to take a picture, but thought it would be good to show because it made serving so easy. Just chop the chicken and add on top of the greens and veggies. Even if you just make the chicken and not the whole salad, it's a good idea. Add it to your next grill-out day.
I used thin chicken breast for this which I highly recommend. Boneless skinless thighs would also work great if that's what you prefer. The greens are a great mix that are packed with flavor. Chopped romaine hearts, butter lettuce and then fresh parsley and mint and mixed in which brings so much freshness.
I think you will love this Middle Eastern-inspired meal. I'm definitely not saying it's authentic, but it sure is delicious !
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Paleo Whole30 Chicken Shawarma Salad
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 2 lemons juiced, about ¼ cup
- ¼ cup avocado oil
- ¼ cup garlic oil*
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garam masala**
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken
Salad
- 3-4 romaine hearts
- 1 head butter lettuce
- 1 bunch fresh flat leaf parsley
- ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1 large cucumber
Instructions
Chicken
- Make the marinade. Place the chicken in a shallow glass container. In a medium glass bowl or glass measuring cup, combine the lemon juice, avocado oil, garlic oil, salt, pepper, turmeric, red pepper flakes, cumin, paprika, and garam masala. Whisk to combine and pour it over the chicken. Let marinate for at least an hour and up to over night. If marinating for more than 2 hours then cover it and place it in the fridge. Remove 30-60 minutes before cooking so it cooks evenly.
- When ready to grill, place the chicken over a medium heat and grill about 5-7 minutes a side or until 165° internally. This will depend on the heat of your grill and thickness of your chicken.
Salad
- While the chicken marinates, make the salad. Chop the romaine hearts, butter lettuce, parsley and mint. Add it all to a large bowl and toss to combine. Cut the tomatoes and cucumber and store separately.
- Serve chicken over greens and with the tomatoes and cucumbers on top. Top with tzatzik sauce if desired.
Notes:
Nutrition Information
Heidi says
I love this chicken marinade, and can’t wait to try it on the grill when it gets nice out. I love a main course salad and this did not disappoint!
Derek DeMay says
This is so good!! So much flavor!!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks!
Mecole S says
This recipe and marinade is incredible. I make just the meat to turn into chicken shawarma wraps with garlic sauce (siete makes cassava wraps that are w30 compliant). I have made this recipe two ways: on a griddle, and on a bbq. In my opinion the griddle is better because the char from the bbq takes away some of the delicious flavor from the marinade.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Mecole! I'm glad you like it. I do hate to inform you that no Siete wraps are Whole30. Here is where it's talked about under "Paleo" and Grain Free Bread. They mention tortillas in that paragraph. With that said, you don't do a Whole30 forever so I'm glad you like it with those tortillas. Thanks for trying it and leaving a review 🙂
RobinG says
Totally Awesome, Jessica
I could not find Garlic Oil so I micro planes a whole small garlic bulb. Thought it was going to be over powering but it was not, new favorite after our taste test at lunch it is safe to bring it to Trivia Night tonight👏👏👏
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying it, Robin! I'm glad you used fresh garlic and made it work for you. So glad you liked it!
Tabitha says
Oh man! This was so, so, good. Made a homemade tzatziki sauce to go over it and it was divine! We lived in the Middle East for a bit, where shawarma is standard street food (there was even a road nicknamed "shawarma alley" for its many shawarma stands), and this brought back good memories!
Jessica DeMay says
Thank you so much for trying it and for the great feedback, Tabitha! I'm glad it brought back good memories 🙂