Trader Joe’s Shawarma Chicken Thighs are tender, juicy, cuts of chicken thigh that are marinated in a middle eastern blend of spices and citrusy flavor. This is definitely a dish that doesn’t disappoint. Shawarma chicken goes great in wraps, or as a main entrée on a plate.
The average weight of each package is 1.5 pounds. I purchased this item at $6.99 per pound for a total of $11.46. This item can be found in the refrigerated section of trader Joes.
We rated Trader Joe’s Shawarma Chicken Thighs a 4/5. It’s packed with flavor, is very tender, and has great nutritional content which makes it a great dish to eat if you are trying to stay on a healthy diet.
Continue reading below for a full review.
Trader Joe’s Chicken Shawarma Quick Look
| Where to Find | Refrigerated Section |
| Price | $6.99 per lb. |
| Cook Time | 20 Minutes |
| Food Allergens | Contains Soy |
| Our Rating : 4/5 | 1- Bad 2- Tolerable 3- Good 4- Love it 5- Must Try It |
What Does Trader Joe’s Shawarma Chicken Thighs Taste Like?
How Do You Cook Trader Joe’s Shawarma Chicken Thighs?
According to the package, there are two prefererred ways to cook the chicken thighs. The first method is the oven, which is the method we chose to do out of convenience. The other method is by cooking them on a grill.
Conventional Oven Instructions
First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Preheating your oven allows for the most even and accurate cooking.
Some people make the mistake of putting in their food before the oven is properly preheated which can cause for improper heating times and uneven cooking.
Once your oven is preheated, place the chicken thighs on a baking tray and place it on the middle of the oven rack.
Cook it for about 20 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. If you have a meat thermometer, you can check the doneness by inserting it into the thickest part of the chicken.
The recommended temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the Grill
For a more authentic taste, you can cook the Shawarma on the grill. Start by preheating the grill on a medium high heat. Gently brush high smoke point oil onto the grill grates to prevent sticking.
Place the chicken on the grill once preheating is done and cook for about 7-10 minutes total, flipping when necessary.
We highly recommended using a meat thermometer to check for proper doneness at 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Eat Trader Joe’s Shawarma Chicken Thighs
The great thing about shawarma is that it goes well by itself, or in a sandwich or wrap. We decided to make chicken shawarma wraps with a variety of sides.
For our sides we used rice pilaf, tabbouleh, hummus, and pita. We sliced the chicken into strips and placed it inside a piece of pita bread with tzatziki sauce, cucumber, red onion, and tomatoes.
This made for a delicious and filling meal that is both healthy and budget friendly.
Trader Joe’s Shawarma Chicken Thighs Nutrition Information
Trader Joe’s Shawarma Chicken Thighs come in a vacuum sealed bag, and contain about 1.5 pounds of meat. Each serving size is 4 oz. of chicken, or 112g.
Each 4 oz. serving of Shawarma contains 160 calories, 7g of total fat, 3g of total carbohydrates, and 21g of protein. Since this is a marinated meat, the sodium content is also 440mg per serving.
Overall, the nutritional content for these chicken thighs are good. You get a good amount of protein, low carbs, low calories, and a healthy amount of fat.
In terms of macronutrient ratios, this is a great food choice to eat if you are on a balanced diet, or a high protein diet.
Trader Joe’s Shawarma Chicken Thighs Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh, Shawarma Spice Marinade (shawarma seasoning, dehydrated onion, dehydrated garlic, sea salt, spices, paprika, turmeric, parsley)
- Annato Oil for color (soybean oil, annato seed), Lemon Juice, Vinegar Powder, Natural Rosemary Flavor).
Contains Soy
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Chicken Shawarma?
Shawarma is a Middle Eastern Dish that is served with meat, vegetables, pita, and is seasoned with a variety of spices such as turmeric, paprika, and garlic.
Traditionally, shawarma is stacked in a cone-shape, and is roasted slowly while also being turning vertically. The butchers then cut pieces of meat off of it to serve to customers.
How Long Does Trader Joe’s Chicken Shawarma Last in the Fridge?
Trader Joe’s Shawarma is made with chicken thighs. The USDA states that cooked chicken can last in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
If your Trader Joe’s Shawarma Chicken Thighs are still in the vacuum sealed packaging, they will be good for as long as the freeze by date says on the back of the packaging. My specific shawarma was purchased 10 days prior to the freeze by date.
How Long Does Shawarma Last Outside the Fridge?
Shawarma that is left outside of the fridge should be consumed within 2 hours. If you do not plan on eating it within two hours, it should be placed into a refrigerator or freezer for proper food handling and safety.
Can You Reheat Chicken Shawarma?
There are three different ways to reheat your Shawarma chicken.
Skillet: Place the heat on a medium low flame and add a small amount of oil or water for added moisture. Heat it slowly until it is sufficiently warmed up.
Microwave: Simply warm it up in 20-30 second intervals until it is thoroughly warmed up.
Be aware that higher wattage microwaves, such as 1,200 watts, will heat the chicken much faster than lower wattage microwaves. Use lower cooking times to prevent overheating.
Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken on a cooking tray and warm it for about 10 minutes, or until heated through.
Final Thoughts
Overall we gave the Trader Joe’s Shawarma Chicken Thighs a 4/5 rating. The marinade tastes authentic and is perfectly seasoned.
The chicken cooked perfectly in the oven. It was tender, juicy, and pretty much everything you could ask for in a shawarma meat. It went great in our wraps and we would definitely be buying these again in the future.
The pricing is also affordable, and the preparation is easy. You can choose to cook it in your oven, or you can cook it outside on a grill for a more grilled flavor and texture.