Trader Joes Chicken Shawarma Bowls Recipe

This Trader Joe’s Chicken Shawarma Bowl is a vibrant and customizable meal, which uses marinated shawarma chicken thighs and spicy Zhoug sauce. It’s a healthy meal prep favorite, ready in about 30 minutes.

Jump to Recipe

Trader Joes Chicken Shawarma Bowls Ingredients

For the Base & Protein

• 1 package (1.5 lbs) Trader Joe’s Shawarma Chicken Thighs (or homemade marinade)
• 2 cups cooked rice (TJ’s Frozen Jasmine Rice is a great shortcut) or quinoa
• 1 tbsp butter or olive oil (for the rice)
• 1 tsp turmeric (optional, to make yellow rice)

For the Cucumber Salad

• 1 English cucumber, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper

The “Must-Have” TJ’s Toppings

• ½ cup Trader Joe’s Tzatziki (Creamy Garlic Cucumber Dip)
• ¼ cup Trader Joe’s Zhoug Sauce (Spicy Cilantro Sauce) – essential for the kick!
• ½ cup Hummus (Mediterranean or Garlic)
• ½ cup Crumbled Feta Cheese
• Kalamata Olives (pitted)
• Pickled Red Onions (see Panera recipe above)

How To Make Trader Joes Chicken Shawarma Bowls

1. Roast the chicken: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove the Shawarma Chicken Thighs from the package and spread them out on a foil-lined baking sheet. Roast for 20–25 minutes until cooked through. For crispy edges, broil for the last 3 minutes. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
2. Prepare the grains: While the chicken cooks, prepare your rice or quinoa. If using Trader Joe’s frozen rice, microwave for 3 minutes. To elevate it, toss the hot rice with a tablespoon of butter and a teaspoon of turmeric for that yellow “street cart” style rice.
3. Make the cucumber salad: In a medium bowl, combine the diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, red onion, and parsley. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
4. Assemble the bowls: Divide the yellow rice among 4 bowls. Add a generous scoop of the cucumber tomato salad to one side. Add a scoop of hummus to another side.
5. Add the protein: Pile the sliced warm shawarma chicken in the center of the bowl.
6. Sauce it up: Drizzle the chicken generously with the cool Tzatziki. Add a dollop (or drizzle) of the Zhoug sauce. Warning: The Zhoug is spicy, so start small!
7. Finish toppings: Sprinkle crumbled Feta cheese and Kalamata olives over the top. Add pickled onions if using. Serve with warm pita bread or naan on the side.

Recipe Tips

• The Zhoug Sauce: This is a Trader Joe’s staple—a spicy, herbal Yemeni cilantro sauce. It provides the heat and brightness that makes this bowl taste like takeout. If you don’t like spice, stick to just Tzatziki.
• Chicken shortcut: If you can’t find the raw marinated chicken, Trader Joe’s sometimes carries cooked Shawarma chicken strips in the deli section, or you can use the homemade marinade recipe provided previously.
• Meal Prep: These bowls are excellent for lunch. Store the cucumber salad separately (or on top) and keep the sauces in small containers to keep the rice from getting soggy.
• Greens: To make this a salad bowl instead of a grain bowl, swap the rice for a bed of romaine lettuce or mixed greens.

What To Serve With Trader Joes Chicken Shawarma Bowls

• Garlic Naan: TJ’s frozen garlic naan is excellent warmed in the toaster.
• Dolmas: Stuffed grape leaves make a great side.
• Roasted Cauliflower: Add bulk with roasted veggies.
• Falafel: Add a few frozen falafel balls for extra protein.

How To Store Trader Joes Chicken Shawarma Bowls

• Refrigerate: Store the components in separate containers for up to 4 days. If assembled, eat within 2 days.
• Reheat: Heat the chicken and rice separately from the cold salad and sauces.
• Freeze: Only the cooked chicken and rice can be frozen.

Trader Joes Chicken Shawarma Bowls Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 550kcal
• Protein: 35g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fat: 26g
• Saturates: 6g
• Sugar: 4g
• Salt: 1.4g

Nutrition information is estimated per fully loaded bowl.

FAQs