- Using precooked beets and quick-cooking grains keeps this dish weeknight-friendly
- Swap thighs for breasts, adjust the spice level or add extras to make it your own.
- This bowl is loaded with fiber thanks to a whole-grain base and colorful plants providing anti-inflammatory antioxidants.
These Chicken Shawarma Bowls are packed with bold flavors. Nutty bulgur, tender spiced chicken and a fresh cucumber-tomato salad are finished with a striking beet tzatziki that’s creamy, tangy and naturally colorful. Thanks to whole grains and vegetables, each bowl offers plenty of gut-healthy fiber to help support digestion and keep you feeling full and satisfied. Even better, both the beet tzatziki and the cucumber-tomato salad can be made ahead, making this an easy, low-stress option for meal prep or busy weeknights. Read on for our best tips and tricks, including swaps to make it your own.
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
- We use precooked beets to cut down on prep time, but if you have a little extra time on your hands you can easily cook beets from scratch instead.
- You can opt for a store-bought shawarma spice blend for convenience. Look for a high-quality option from a Middle Eastern market or online.
- Want to pile on even more veggies? Try adding shredded romaine or quick-pickled onions for extra crunch and brightness.
Nutrition Notes
- Chicken thighs tend to be more budget-friendly and flavorful than chicken breast. They also provide more zinc, iron and vitamin B12 thanks to their dark meat. While thighs can be slightly higher in calories and fat than breasts, using skinless thighs helps reduce the saturated fat content.
- Bulgur is a nutrient-dense and quick-cooking whole grain with a toasty nutty flavor. In addition to being high in soluble fiber, it’s an excellent source of potassium and magnesium to help lower blood pressure, relax blood vessels and calm the nervous system.
- Beets are high in soluble fiber to support digestive health. They’re also heart-healthy thanks to nitrates that convert to nitric oxide in the blood, helping to relax the blood vessels and increase blood flow. Beets get their signature color from naturally occurring antioxidants called betalains that help fight inflammation and reduce risk of chronic disease.
- Topping these bowls with a salad made from cucumbers and tomatoes is an easy way to add additional fiber and antioxidants to this meal. These veggies also have a high water content to provide hydration to the body and digestive tract to keep things moving along.
