Irresistible One Pot Shawarma Chicken and Rice Recipe
This Irresistible One Pot Shawarma Chicken and Rice recipe combines aromatic spices with tender chicken thighs and fluffy basmati rice for a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish. Perfect for an easy dinner, this one-pot meal delivers juicy, spiced chicken nestled in savory, fragrant rice, topped with fresh garnishes like parsley and cucumber salad.
- Author: Clara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, One Pot Recipe
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Halal
Chicken Marinade
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp coriander
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups basmati rice, rinsed
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Cucumber salad
- Tahini drizzle
- Marinate chicken: In a bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, and lemon juice. Coat the chicken thighs thoroughly with this mixture and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Sear chicken: Heat a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Place the marinated chicken thighs in the pot and sear them for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté onions: In the same pot, add the diced onions and sauté until they become soft and fragrant, typically about 3 to 5 minutes. This step builds the flavor base for the rice.
- Add rice & broth: Stir the rinsed basmati rice into the pot, mixing it with the sautéed onions so that the rice is well coated. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Combine & cook: Nestle the seared chicken thighs into the rice and broth mixture. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Rest & garnish: Turn off the heat and allow the pot to rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Then, fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with fresh parsley, cucumber salad, or a drizzle of tahini before serving.
Notes
- Chicken thighs are preferred for juicier and more flavorful results compared to chicken breasts.
- Rinse basmati rice thoroughly to remove excess starch and prevent clumping.
- For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator.
- Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to ensure even steaming and perfect rice texture.
- Enhance the dish with toppings such as pickled onions, cucumber salad, or tahini drizzle for added flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: one pot, shawarma chicken, chicken and rice, Middle Eastern recipe, easy dinner, basmati rice, spiced chicken, one pot meal