Chicken Shawarma and Couscous Lunch Boxes

These lunch boxes keep warm, cool, and creamy components separate until it is time to eat. A quick spice coating seasons thin strips of chicken, while couscous cooks off the heat in hot broth. Make the cucumber-tomato salad and yogurt sauce while the chicken cooks, then pack everything in separate sections.

Serves: 4
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch strips
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 1/2 cups dry couscous
• 1 3/4 cups chicken broth or water
• 1 cup diced cucumber
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Method

1. Toss the chicken with olive oil, cumin, paprika, coriander, garlic powder, salt, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
2. Bring the broth or water to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in the couscous, cover, remove from the heat, and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer, working in batches if needed, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning once or twice. Check the thickest pieces with a food thermometer; chicken should reach 165°F.
4. Stir the cucumber and tomatoes together with the remaining tablespoon of lemon juice.
5. Mix the yogurt with parsley and 1 teaspoon water to loosen it.
6. Divide couscous, chicken, cucumber-tomato salad, and yogurt sauce among four lunch containers, keeping the sauce separate. Chill promptly if not eating right away.

Variations

Use chicken breast strips and begin checking them earlier so they do not overcook. Replace couscous with cooked rice or bulgur, and add chopped olives to the salad if you like a briny finish.

Storage and reheating

Refrigerate the chicken and couscous promptly in covered containers and use within 3 to 4 days. Reheat those components until steaming, then add the chilled salad and sauce. Keep cold components separate during transport.

The lunchbox prep plan for a busy week and meal planning for two different schedules can help fit packed lunches into the week. Put this recipe in the Lucru Home meal planner and review the ingredients before shopping.