This hearty Mediterranean inspired bowl is filled with juicy Shawarma chicken thighs from Trader Joe's. Topped with fresh cucumber, tomato, red onion, kalamata olives, lentils, feta and roasted garlic hummus makes this bowl extremely flavorful. Ready in under twenty-five minutes, this recipe is easy to prepare, perfect for weeknight dinners and weekly meal prep!
If you like this recipe, you will love Bun-less Sloppy Joes, Dragon Roll Sushi Bowls or Philly Roll Sushi Bowls.
MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN BOWL
This Mediterranean Chicken Bowl is loaded with flavor! In fact, this recipe is beginner friendly as the marinated Shawarma chicken thighs from Trader's Joes are pre-seasoned and the homemade Greek Yogurt Ranch is to-die-for. The toppings are fresh and provide great texture and the garlic roasted hummus is the "icing on the cake"!
It's no secret that I enjoy developing recipes that are loaded-bowl style and this recipe is just that. Start with your choice of rice, in this recipe I used a brown rice and quinoa mix, grilled chicken and add your favorite toppings. This recipe is perfect for meal prep, just store the toppings separately, portion the rice and cooked chicken and when ready to reheat, add the toppings, hummus and Greek yogurt ranch and devour.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PREPARE 25 MINUTE MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN BOWL
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs-Thighs work best for this recipe as it holds moisture and more flavor and easier to not dry out when grilling/sautéing. You will need about 1.5-2 lbs of chicken.
- Rice- Jasmine, brown, white rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice will work best. In this recipe, I used a brown rice and quinoa mix.
- Cherry Tomatoes- Sliced in half.
- Kalamata Olives- Pitted and sliced work best.
- Feta Cheese
- Red Onion
- Lentil Beans
- Cucumbers- Sliced and cut in half.
- Roasted Garlic Hummus
- Cooking Oil
GREE YOGURT RANCH
- Garlic
- Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix
- Greek Yogurt (plain)
- Fresh Dill
- Lemon Juice
- Sugar
- Salt and Pepper
- Water (as needed)
RECIPE VIDEO-MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN BOWL
HOW TO COOK TRADER JOE'S SHAWARMA CHICKEN THIGHS
First, using a large skillet, heat the pan to medium/high heat and add one tablespoon of cooking oil. At this instant, remove marinated chicken thighs from the package and place in the skillet. It is equally important that as the chicken thighs are placed into the pan, do not disturb the chicken as it sears. To explain, this method produces a crusty and flavorful crust over the chicken and allows the chicken to cook evenly.
Next, allow the chicken to sear on one side for 5-6 minutes and turn to the uncooked side and allow to cook an additional three to four minutes until the chicken is no longer pink and cooked through. To point out, I poured the marinade over the chicken for extra flavor and squeezed a wedge of lemon over the chicken as it cooked.
Last, remove chicken from heat and allow chicken to rest on a plate for three to five minutes. This is the most time-consuming portion of the recipe; you are half-way complete!
SUBSTITUTION FOR TRADER JOE'S MARINATED SHAWARMA CHICKEN THIGHS
If you are not geographically located close to Trader Joe's to purchase the Shawarma marinated chicken, here is a great alternative. Use the seasonings below and allow to marinate if you have time! To begin with one teaspoon each of:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Ground Coriander
- Cumin
- Cardamom
- Cayenne Pepper
- Paprika
It is important to note that you will need to add up to one tablespoon of olive oil to create this marinade and add one wedge of lemon juice. Allow the chicken breasts to marinate in a Ziploc bag for at least one hour up to twenty-four hours.
HOW TO MAKE GREEK YOGURT RANCH
Begin by utilizing a small to medium sized bowl. Next, place the Greek yogurt, ranch seasoning, dill, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper and sugar and water. It is important to note, add about 1 tablespoon of water at a time. Depending on the consistency that you desire for the ranch sauce, add less or more water and whisk until ingredients are combined.
Allow the Greek Yogurt Ranch to marinate while you prepare the other ingredients, this ensures perfect flavor.
HOW TO ASSEMBLE MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN BOWL
It is important to realize to achieve fast results, prep the toppings first. Begin by slicing the cucumber, kalamata olives, red onion and cherry tomatoes. Next, prepare the rice according to package instructions and set aside. Third, prepare the lentils by heating in the microwave or on the stove. This option is certainly optional but adds a good form of additional protein.
Meanwhile, after the chicken has cooled, thinly slice into bit sized pieces. Begin by placing the rice in the bow first, then add the sliced chicken. Third, add the additional toppings and top with hummus. Last, drizzle the homemade Greek Yogurt Ranch over the bowl and enjoy!
WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE!
As noted, if you have visited my blog before, I have several recipes similar in style to this recipe. There is nothing like an easy weeknight meal, served in a bowl with flavorful ingredients. As has been noted, this Greek chicken bowl meal prep is perfect to get through a busy work week and it does not skip out on flavor.
The homemade Greek Yogurt Ranch is similar to Tzatziki sauce and is perfect on many other dishes. This is a perfect meal if you are an avid shopper at Trader's Joes, I got all of my ingredients from there!
If you love this recipe, you will love:
How To Prepare 25 Minute Mediterranean Chicken Bowl
Ingredients
- 1.5-2 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts Shawarma
- 2 cups Rice Brown Rice and Quinoa Mix
- ¼ cup Feta Cheese
- ½ cup Red Onion
- ½ cup Cucumber
- ½ cup Cherry Tomatoes
- ½ cup Kalamata Olives
- 1 cup Lentil Beans
- 8 oz Roasted Garlic Hummus
Greek Yogurt Ranch
- 6 oz Plan Greek Yogurt
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Dill
- ½ teaspoon Garlic
- 1 tb Dry Ranch Seasoning
- pinch Pepper
- pinch Sugar
- pinch Salt
- 1 teaspoon Water as needed
Instructions
Cooking Shawarma Chicken
- Using a large skillet, heat the pan to medium/high heat and add one tablespoon of cooking oil.
- At this instant, remove marinated chicken thighs from the package and place in the skillet.
- It is equally important that as the chicken thighs are placed into the pan, do not disturb the chicken as it sears. This method produces a crusty and flavorful crust over the chicken and allows the chicken to cook evenly.
- Next, allow the chicken to sear on one side for 5-6 minutes and turn to the uncooked side and allow to cook an additional three to four minutes until the chicken is no longer pink and cooked through.
- To point out, I poured the marinade over the chicken for extra flavor and squeezed a wedge of lemon over the chicken as it cooked.
- Last, remove chicken from heat and allow chicken to rest on a plate for three to five minutes. This is the most time-consuming portion of the recipe; you are half-way complete!
Greek Yogurt Ranch
- Begin by utilizing a small to medium sized bowl. Next, place the Greek yogurt, ranch seasoning, dill, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper and sugar and water.
- It is important to note, add about 1 tablespoon of water at a time. Depending on the consistency that you desire for the ranch sauce, add less or more water and whisk until ingredients are combined.
Assemble Mediterranean Chicken Bowl
- Prepare rice according to package instructions.
- Begin by slicing the cucumber, kalamata olives, red onion and cherry tomatoes.
- Prepare the lentils by heating in the microwave or on the stove. This option is certainly optional but adds a good form of additional protein.
- After the chicken has cooled, thinly slice into bit sized pieces.
- Begin by placing the rice in the bow first, then add the sliced chicken.
- Third, add the additional toppings and top with hummus.
- Last, drizzle the homemade Greek Yogurt Ranch over the bowl and enjoy!
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