Description
Spicy One Pot Shawarma Chicken and Rice transports Mediterranean flavors directly to kitchen tables. Warmly seasoned chicken melds perfectly with fragrant rice, creating a simple yet spectacular meal you can savor in less than an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs (600g, 21 ounces)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.75 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon turmeric
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 0.25 teaspoon chilli flakes (red pepper flakes)
- 1.5 tablespoons lemon juice
Aromatics and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, halved and finely sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 180g (1 cup) uncooked long grain rice
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) chicken stock (hot)
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 0.5 teaspoon dried dill
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Infuse chicken thighs with a vibrant blend of aromatic spices including cumin, coriander, paprika, smoked paprika, turmeric, cardamom, and chilli flakes. Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil, then allow flavors to meld for a minimum of 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Preheat a large pot over medium-high heat and sear marinated chicken thighs until golden brown on both sides. Transfer browned chicken to a separate plate.
- Within the same pot, sauté sliced onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce uncooked rice to the pot, carefully stirring to ensure each grain becomes coated with the spice-infused oils and aromatics.
- Pour hot chicken stock into the pot, bringing the liquid to a rolling boil while stirring gently.
- Carefully nestle seared chicken thighs back into the rice mixture, reducing heat to low. Cover the pot and allow to simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until rice reaches perfect tenderness and chicken is thoroughly cooked.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Finish the dish by scattering freshly chopped parsley and dried dill across the surface, creating a vibrant and aromatic presentation.
Notes
- Boost marination time to 2-4 hours for deeper, more intense flavor infusion into the chicken.
- Swap chicken thighs with chicken breasts for a leaner protein option, adjusting cooking time to prevent drying.
- Toast rice briefly before adding liquid to enhance nutty undertones and improve overall dish complexity.
- Use homemade chicken stock for richer, more authentic taste compared to store-bought alternatives.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg