Did you buy a tub of Trader Joe's Zhoug Sauce and are wondering what to do with it? Not to worry! This simple recipe for my Mediterranean-Inspired Zhoug Chicken Tostadas is a lightning-fast way to get a healthy dinner on the table using mostly store-bought hacks.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
You know those nights when it's somehow 8 pm and you're still working and forgot entirely about dinner until right now? Friends, that's pretty much how I live my life during the workweek. Luckily, I have found lots of great grocery store shortcuts to get meals on the table in a flash.
This simple recipe for zhoug chicken tostadas is a meal that was born on just such a night, and boy am I ever glad to have whipped it up. This recipe is:
- Fast & Easy. Aside from marinating the chicken (which is totally optional, by the way), the whole meal comes together in just 25 minutes.
- Super Versatile. I happened to have tostada shells on hand when this idea hit me, but there are lots of directions you can take this Mediterranean-inspired meal. Turn it into a grain bowl, pita pocket, flatbread "pizza," or wrap, just to name a few. Read on below for even more ways to customize your zhoug chicken goodness.
- Wholesome & Nutritious. Lean chicken, a swoosh of hummus, brown rice coated in spicy, herby, green deliciousness, a bevy of chopped veggies, and a dollop of yogurt sauce? That sounds pretty healthy to me.
Ingredients & Substitutions
These Mediterranean chicken tostadas are a great way to clear out the bits and bobs in your fridge. Here's what you'll need:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken - I prefer thighs because they’re juicier, but hubby prefers breasts because they are less likely to remind him that he’s eating something that was once alive. You can also swap in the protein of your choice here – a grilled wedge of halloumi, a block of tofu, or some jumbo shrimp would all be lovely.
- Mrs. Dash Original - Any spice blend will work here. I've also made it using za'atar, Italian seasoning, or just good ol' salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Italian Dressing of Choice (optional) - When I think of it an hour or two before cooking, I like to marinate my chicken for a little added flavor, and I almost always have a bottle of Italian salad dressing at the ready. That said, America's Test Kitchen has debunked the myth that marinating does anything, so don't feel like you have take this step. (Wild, right?!?)
- White or Brown Rice - Brown rice takes longer to cook, but has a higher nutritional pay-off. White basmati and jasmine rice are delightful, even if they're not loaded with nutrients. Dealer's choice! Feel free to use par-cooked rice to shave some time off your prep.
- Zhoug Sauce - This delectable cilantro-jalapeño pesto-adjacent sauce is now a mainstay in my fridge. Use it to add some flavor to a bowl of plain hummus, make super speedy green rice, swipe it over your meats, use it as a pasta sauce... it's uses are endless. Trust me.
- Tostada Shells - Feel free to sub in home fried tortillas, or opt for more of a flatbread-style meal by using naan as your base.
- Hummus of Choice (TJ's Cilantro Jalapeno is a favorite in our household)
- Toppings of Choice: I used: Chopped Tomatoes, Crumbled Feta, Sliced (or Better Yet, Pickled!) Red Onions, Tzatziki Sauce, Chopped Cucumbers, Sliced Kalamata Olives, and Shredded Romaine. Use whatever is kicking around in your crisper drawer!
How To Make Zhoug Chicken Tostadas
Step 1: Marinate Chicken (Optional) - Sprinkle liberally with seasoning, and cover with Italian dressing. Let marinate for 2 hours, or up to overnight. NOTE: If you are skipping the marinade, be sure to season it with plenty of salt and pepper.
Step 2: Cook Chicken to internal temp of 165F, using grill, skillet, or oven. See full recipe card for more notes. Pro Tip: Make sure to rest your chicken for at least 5 minutes before cutting. If you don’t, you’re likely to have dry meat. 🙁
Step 3: Make Green Rice. Cook the rice of your choice according to package directions. When all water has been absorbed, stir in TJ’s Zhoug Sauce, depending on your heat tolerance.
Step 4: Pan-Fry Tortilla until crispy. Note: This is only necessary if you are not using pre-made tostada shells.
Step 5: Assemble & Serve. Top fried tortilla with toppings of choice, and enjoy!
Optional Variations
Mediterranean tostadas might sound like a weird fusion, but I assure you — they're delicious. That said, this tasty recipe for chicken and zhoug rice can be adapted in lots of different ways. Here are a few of our favorite variations:
- Grain Bowl - Omit the tostada shell, loading up on the hummus, rice, and chopped salad ingredients instead.
- Flatbread - Warm up a piece of naan and use it as a canvas to build your masterpiece on.
- Wrap - Use a giant tortilla and wrap everything up in a tidy little package.
- Pescatarian - Opt for jumbo shrimp instead of chicken.
- Vegetarian - Try using halloumi, bread cheese, or paneer in place of chicken.
- Vegan - Make it with pressed firm tofu or some crispy chickpeas, then swap in vegan feta and plant-based tzatziki.
Frequently Asked Questions
Also known as zhug, this Middle Eastern condiment is like a nut-free, spicy cilantro-jalapeño pesto that is flavored with other herbs and spices like parsley, cardamom and garlic. It can range from medium heat to high-intensity spicy depending on the type of chili peppers you use.
Funnily enough, aside from creating a surface for caramelization and adding flavor to the exterior of the meat, not much. Make sure that if you're marinating meat in a highly acidic marinade (e.g. one with lots of vinegar or citrus juice) not to exceed 24 hours of marinating time. The acidity helps to tenderize meat to a degree, but over time will completely unravel the proteins and lead to a mushy consistency. Ew!
Aside from using it to make a super speedy spicy green rice in these Mediterranean chicken tostadas, zhoug can also be used to add flavor to hummus, as a marinade or coating on meat or fish, to toss with roasted veggies, to make a vinaigrette, or a simple yogurt sauce. Basically, anything pesto can do, zhoug can do spicier.
They are similar, though chimichurri is usually made using red pepper flakes instead of whole chiles.
More Easy Recipe Ideas
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Mediterranean-Inspired Zhoug Chicken Tostadas
Ingredients
- 2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs (I prefer thighs because they’re juicier, but hubby prefers breasts because they are less likely to remind him that he’s eating something that was once alive. Your choice.)
- hefty sprinkling Mrs. Dash Original
- Italian Dressing of Choice to cover chicken
- 1 C Dry White or Brown Rice of Choice
- ¼-1/2 tub TJ's Zhoug Sauce to taste
- 2-4 Tostada Shells or sub home fried tortillas
Toppings of Choice
- Hummus of Choice (TJ's Cilantro Jalapeno is a favorite in our household)
- Chopped Tomatoes
- Crumbled Feta
- Sliced (or Better Yet Pickled!) Red Onions
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Chopped Cucumbers
- Sliced Kalamata Olives
- Shredded Romaine
Instructions
- In a small, lidded container marinate chicken breasts or thighs by sprinkling liberally with Mrs Dash Seasoning, and covering with Italian Dressing. Let marinate at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.
- Cook chicken to internal temp of 165F. If you’re doing thighs, they’d be great on the grill. If you’re doing breasts, they have a tendency to dry out easily so I’d recommend baking at 425F on a lined baking sheet for 18-22 mins. Once your bird hits about 162F, you can pull off the heat and let it continue to cook as it rests. Note: Make sure to rest your chicken for at least 5 minutes before cutting. If you don’t, you’re likely to have dry meat. 🙁
- While chicken is cooking, make rice of your choice according to package directions. We’ve used brown rice, basmati and jasmine, and they are all lovely options. When all water has been absorbed, stir in TJ’s Zhoug Sauce, depending on your heat tolerance.
- Pan fry tortilla of choice until crispy. Definitely cook it on both sides to achieve this effect.
- Top fried tortilla with toppings of choice, and enjoy!
Notes
- Grain Bowl - Omit the tostada shell, loading up on the hummus, rice, and chopped salad ingredients instead.
- Flatbread - Warm up a piece of naan and use it as a canvas to build your masterpiece on.
- Wrap - Use a giant tortilla and wrap everything up in a tidy little package.
- Pescatarian - Opt for jumbo shrimp instead of chicken.
- Vegetarian - Try using halloumi, bread cheese, or paneer in place of chicken.
- Vegan - Make it with pressed firm tofu or some crispy chickpeas, then swap in vegan feta and plant-based tzatziki.
Nutrition
*If you’re one of the unfortunate souls that has a palate that makes cilantro taste like soap, I am so sorry. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. I’m on the opposite end of the spectrum where I’ll buy a bunch of cilantro, pick off all the leaves to use as my salad greens, and then blitz the stems into a green sauce. I LOVE CILANTRO.
Let's taco 'bout it.