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Chicken Shawarma with Lemon Rice

Chicken Shawarma with Lemon Rice is an easy Mediterranean-inspired dinner featuring juicy seasoned chicken, fluffy lemon rice, fresh cabbage salad, and creamy feta cucumber sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean

Ingredients
  

Chicken Shawarma

  • 1 package Trader Joe's Chicken Shawarma

Lemon Rice

  • 1½ cups long-grain white rice
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon chicken base
  • 2¼ cups water
  • Zest of 1 lemon

Cabbage Salad

  • 2 cups finely shredded purple cabbage
  • ¼ cup white vinegar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon sugar

Feta Cucumber Sauce

  • ½ cucumber grated and squeezed dry
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 garlic clove grated
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill or 3 tablespoons fresh dill

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water.
  • Add the rice, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, chicken base, and water to a medium saucepan.
  • Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for about 18 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon zest before fluffing with a fork.
  • In a bowl, combine the cabbage, vinegar, water, olive oil, salt, and sugar. Toss well and let it marinate while preparing the remaining ingredients.
  • Mix together the grated cucumber, Greek yogurt, olive oil or mayonnaise, feta, garlic, and dill until smooth.
  • Cook the Chicken Shawarma with Lemon Rice chicken by air frying at 390°F for 9–10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the outside is nicely browned.
  • Alternatively, bake at 450°F for 15 minutes and broil for an additional 3–5 minutes.
  • Allow the chicken to rest for several minutes before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
  • Serve the lemon rice topped with chicken, cabbage salad, and generous spoonfuls of the feta cucumber sauce.

Notes

  • You can substitute brown rice, jasmine rice, or basmati rice.
  • Add tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, or pickled onions for extra freshness.
  • The feta sauce also works wonderfully as a dip for vegetables or pita chips.
  • Homemade chicken shawarma seasoning can be used if Trader Joe's version isn't available.