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One Pot Chicken Shawarma Rice served in a white bowl with parsley garnish.

One Pot Chicken Shawarma Rice

One Pot Chicken Shawarma Rice brings bold Middle Eastern flavors to your table in a simple dinner. Chicken thighs are cooked with aromatic spices and rice in a single pot for an easy, flavorful meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Middle Eastern
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1.5 cups long-grain white rice uncooked
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp Shawarma spice blend or a mix of cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • large pot or Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cutting board and knife

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-6 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. In the same pot, add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the uncooked rice and stir to coat with the oil and pan drippings. Add the Shawarma spice blend, salt, and black pepper, stirring to combine.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Return the browned chicken to the pot.
  5. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and all the liquid is absorbed.
  6. Remove from heat and let the pot sit, still covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, garnish generously with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken pieces in the shawarma spice blend and a drizzle of olive oil for 30 minutes before cooking. Serve alongside a simple cucumber-tomato salad, warm pita bread, or a dollop of garlic yogurt sauce for a complete meal. Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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