Shawarma-Spiced Chicken with Couscous, Za’atar Veggies &Sumac Tzatziki
🧂 The Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast or thighs
- 2 Tbsp ISD Shawarma Spice Blend
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Salt to taste
For the Couscous + Veggies:
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 cup broth or water
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- ½ red onion, sliced
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ISD Za’atar
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- Salt + pepper
For the Tzatziki:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 small cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp fresh dill (optional)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt + pepper to taste
- Ground ISD Sumac (grind berries just before using)
🥣 Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, combine the shawarma seasoning, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. Coat chicken and marinate for at least 20 minutes (or longer, if you’ve got the time).
2. Roast the Veggies
Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss the zucchini, bell pepper, and onion with olive oil, za’atar, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20–25 minutes until golden and tender.
3. Cook the Couscous
Bring broth or water to a boil. Stir in couscous, remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
4. Cook the Chicken
Pan-sear or grill the chicken until browned and fully cooked—about 6–7 minutes per side. Let rest for a few minutes, then slice.
5. Make the Tzatziki
In a bowl, mix yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dill (if using), salt, and pepper. Top with a light dusting of ground sumac just before serving.
6. Assemble the Dish
Scoop couscous onto your plate, top with roasted veggies and sliced chicken, and add a generous spoonful of tzatziki. Garnish with a lemon wedge or extra sumac if you’d like.
💡 Notes + Tips
- Swap chicken for shrimp if you want something lighter.
- The za’atar and turmeric bring serious depth to the veggies—feel free to try it on carrots, sweet potatoes, or whatever you’ve got on hand.
- Our ISD Sumac berries are sold whole—grind just before using for maximum brightness and zing.