Trader Joe’s Chicken Shawarma Recipe

This Trader Joe’s Chicken Shawarma recipe is a flavorful and juicy recipe, which is made with ground cumin and ground coriander. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 30 minutes, plus marinating time.

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Trader Joe’s Chicken Shawarma Recipe Ingredients

For the Marinade:

• 1 kg / 2 lb chicken thigh fillets, skinless and boneless
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp ground coriander
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp ground cardamon
• 1 tsp ground cayenne pepper (reduce to 1/2 tsp for mild)
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp salt
• Black pepper
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp olive oil

For the Yogurt Sauce:

• 1 cup Greek yoghurt
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 tsp cumin
• Squeeze of lemon juice
• Salt and pepper

To Serve:

• 4–5 flatbreads (Lebanese, pita, or other flatbreads)
• Sliced lettuce (cos or iceberg)
• Tomato slices
• Red onion, finely sliced

How To Make Trader Joe’s Chicken Shawarma

1. Marinate the chicken: Combine all the marinade ingredients in a large ziplock bag. Add the chicken thighs, seal the bag, and massage from the outside until each piece is thoroughly coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, but preferably for 24 hours.
2. Make the yogurt sauce: While the chicken marinates, combine the Greek yoghurt, crushed garlic, cumin, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat (or heat an outdoor grill). Place the chicken in the skillet or on the grill and cook the first side for 4 to 5 minutes until nicely charred. Turn and cook the other side for another 3 to 4 minutes, until cooked through.
4. Rest and slice: Remove the chicken from the heat, place it on a cutting board, and cover it loosely with foil. Let it rest for 5 minutes. After resting, slice the chicken into thin strips.
5. Assemble and serve: To serve, pile the sliced chicken onto a platter alongside the flatbreads, sliced lettuce, tomato, onion, and the yogurt sauce. To make a wrap, smear a flatbread with yogurt sauce, top with lettuce, tomato, and a generous amount of chicken, then roll up and enjoy.

Recipe Tips

• What’s the best chicken to use? Chicken thighs are strongly recommended because their higher fat content makes them juicier and creates a beautiful char. If using chicken breast, slice it in half horizontally to make thin cutlets and cook on high heat for just 2 minutes per side.
• Can I make this ahead of time? Yes! The best make-ahead trick is to place the chicken and marinade in a ziplock bag and freeze it immediately. It will marinate as it thaws. You can also cook the chicken in the morning, slice it, and simply reheat it in the microwave before serving.
• Can I bake the chicken instead of grilling it? While grilling or pan-frying gives the best char, you can bake it. Place the marinated chicken on a baking sheet and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
• How do you get the best char? The key is medium-high heat and not moving the chicken for the first few minutes. Let it sit in the hot pan or on the grill to develop a deep, flavorful crust before you turn it.

What To Serve With Chicken Shawarma

This chicken shawarma is perfect for building your own wraps with flatbread, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and the creamy yogurt sauce. For more substantial side dishes, consider serving it with:

• Mejadra (Middle Eastern Lentil Rice)
• Chickpea Rice Pilaf
• A simple Israeli salad of chopped cucumber and tomato

How To Store Chicken Shawarma

• Refrigerate: Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The yogurt sauce will also keep for 3 days.
• Freeze: The best way to freeze this dish is to place the raw chicken thighs in the marinade in a freezer-safe ziplock bag. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.

Chicken Shawarma Nutrition Facts

• Serving: 183g (chicken only)
• Calories: 275kcal
• Protein: 32.9g
• Fat: 16.2g
• Sodium: 918mg

Nutrition information is for the chicken only and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Trader Joe’s Cornbread Stuffing Recipe
• Trader Joe’s Stuffed Gnocchi Recipe
• Trader Joe’s Chicken Sausage Recipe (Homemade)