Grilled Chicken Shawarma Lettuce Cups
Indulge in the vibrant flavours of the Middle East with this diabetes-friendly Grilled Chicken Shawarma served in crisp lettuce cups. This dish combines marinated chicken with a fresh chopped salad and creamy tahini sauce, providing a low-carb, high-protein meal perfect for managing blood sugar levels.
- Suitable for diets:
- Gluten Free
- High-Protein
- Low-Carb
Why Diabetes Friendly?
- Low in carbohydrates: The use of lettuce cups instead of traditional bread or wraps significantly reduces the carb content, which is beneficial for blood sugar management.
- High in protein and healthy fats: Chicken thighs or breasts provide a good source of lean protein, while tahini and olive oil offer healthy fats, both of which are essential for a balanced diabetic diet.
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Ingredients
Marinade
- lemon juice ¼ cup
- vegetable oil ⅓ cup
- garlic (minced) 2 cloves
- paprika 2 tsp
- cumin 1½ tsp
- salt 1 tsp
- turmeric 1 tsp
- allspice 1 tsp
- chicken (thighs, boneless, skinless ) 2.5 lb
- lettuce (Boston, washed and dried) 1 head
Tahini Sauce
- tahini ¼ cup
- water ½ cup
- lemon juice ¼ cup
- garlic 1 clove
- salt Pinch
Salad
- tomato (diced) 2
- red bell pepper (diced) 1
- cucumber (diced) 1 cup
- red onion (diced) ¼
- olive oil 2 tbsp
- lemon juice 2 tbsp
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Cooking Tips
- Marinating the chicken: For the best flavour, let the chicken marinate overnight. This not only enhances the taste but also tenderizes the chicken, making it juicier after grilling.
- Grilling tips: Ensure your grill is properly preheated and cleaned to prevent sticking. Chicken should be grilled on medium heat to avoid burning the spices while still cooking through.
- Preparing tahini sauce: If the tahini sauce is too thick after initial mixing, gradually add water or lemon juice until it reaches a creamy, drizzle-able consistency.
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Instructions
- Mix all marinade ingredients together in a bowl. Place chicken in zip top bag, pour marinade over chicken and marinate for several hours or overnight.¼ cup lemon juice, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tsp paprika, 1½ tsp cumin, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp allspice, 2.5 lb chicken
- When ready to eat, remove chicken from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for 45 minutes to one hour. Remove chicken and discard remaining marinade.
- Preheat grill to high. Then turn grill to medium and grill chicken on each side for about 7-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken pieces. If you have thin breasts, it can take as little as 4-5 minutes per side.
- Remove from grill and slice into thin strips.
- To Make the Tahini. Mix the lemon juice and water into the tahini paste until you have a smooth cream-like consistency. Add more lemon or water to thin it out. Add the garlic and salt. Stir.¼ cup tahini, ½ cup water, ¼ cup lemon juice, 1 clove garlic, Pinch salt
- To Make the Salad. Toss all the veggies together in a bowl, add the lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper.2 tomato, 1 red bell pepper, 1 cup cucumber, ¼ red onion, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice
- On serving plates, spoon the chicken slices in the lettuce cups, add some of the Chopped Salad to the lettuce with the chicken and drizzle a tablespoon or so of Tahini Sauce over the salad and chicken.1 head lettuce
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FAQ
Can I use other types of lettuce for the cups?
Yes, any sturdy leaf lettuce like iceberg or romaine can substitute Boston lettuce to hold the filling without breaking.What alternatives can I use if I don’t have a grill?
You can cook the chicken in a grill pan on the stove or roast it in the oven at 375°F until fully cooked and slightly charred.How can I make this dish even more diabetic-friendly?
You could add more fiber by including additional vegetables in the salad, such as shredded carrots or sliced radishes, which help slow glucose absorption.Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, you can grill the chicken and prepare the salad and tahini sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator and assemble the lettuce cups when ready to serve for a quick meal.
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Nutrition
Per serving
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 7.3g
Fiber: 1.8g
Sugar: 2.6g
Fat: 22.8g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0.1g
Protein: 29.7g
Nutrition Facts
Grilled Chicken Shawarma Lettuce Cups
Amount per Serving
Calories
350
% Daily Value*
Fat
22.8
g
35
%
Saturated Fat
4
g
25
%
Trans Fat
0.1
g
Cholesterol
134.7
mg
45
%
Sodium
425.5
mg
19
%
Potassium
613.3
mg
18
%
Carbohydrates
7.3
g
2
%
Fiber
1.8
g
8
%
Sugar
2.6
g
3
%
Protein
29.7
g
59
%
Vitamin C
33
mg
40
%
Calcium
48.3
mg
5
%
Iron
2.4
mg
13
%
Magnesium
54.5
mg
14
%
Zinc
2.7
mg
18
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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