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Home » Chicken Recipes

Chicken Shawarma Rice

Published: Jul 1, 2022 · Modified: Mar 14, 2023 by Amira · This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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Perfectly flavored chicken shawarma served over a bed of fragrant rice and topped with quick and easy shawarma white sauce.
Total time 36 minutes
Jump to Recipe

Authentic Chicken shawarma rice is a delicious main course of chicken accompanied by a flavorful rice, Middle Eastern seasoning and a tangy cream sauce.

You won't be able to resist the intense flavor of each bite. This chicken shawarma and rice dish is easy to prepare and makes a great weeknight dinner. Not to mention, how amazing your kitchen will smell as it is filled with the alluring aromas of shawarma.

Next time make this chicken shawarma recipe, you are going to love it.

An overhead view of a white place with chicken shawarma rice.

Shawarma chicken marinade is loaded with favorite Middle Eastern seasonings like garlic, olive oil, lemon, coriander, cumin and cardamom. The chicken thighs will take on the immense flavor of this amazing marinade.

The rice is seasoned wonderfully with a blend of turmeric, cardamom and chicken stock cube. Then the best part, because this dinner is not complete unless you have this 5-minute white shawarma sauce. Creamy from the mayonnaise and tangy from the greek yogurt.

A savory bite of seasoned rice, tender chicken as you drag your fork through the creamy sultry sauce. You won't soon forget the delectable flavor combination of the shawarma chicken, rice and tangy cool creamy sauce.

Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why You'll Love It
  • 📝 Ingredients
  • 🥄 Instructions
  • 💡 Expert Tips
  • 🧺 Storage
  • ⌛ Make Ahead
  • 🍽️ Serve With
  • 💬 FAQs
  • 📣 Related Recipes
  • Chicken Shawarma Rice

❤️ Why You'll Love It

  • Delicious Middle Eastern shawarma marinade.
  • An easy chicken dinner recipe with rice and homemade sauce.
  • It smells mouthwateringly delicious when cooking.

This recipe will transport you to the Middle East. There may be many ingredients in this recipe, however each one contributes to the greatness of the this dish. This is flavorful and tantalizing dish guaranteed to make any food lover drool.

📝 Ingredients

Ingredients for this recipe on a marble counter top.

🥄 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.

  1. In a deep bowl combine chicken marinade and mix well.
  2. Add chicken thighs and toss to cover with marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 48 hours.
  3. In a deep pot over medium heat add oil, then sauté onion until translucent. Add turmeric, cardamom and crumble chicken cube on top if using.
  4. Add rice, stirring until rice is well coated with oil then pour in water. Bring to a boil, cover and let cook for 20 minutes.
  1. Meanwhile, cook chicken on a grilling pan until fully cooked.
  2. To make the sauce, combine sauce ingredients stirring everything well. Serve on a big platter with the rice, chicken and white sauce drizzle on top.

💡 Expert Tips

  • You can use whole thighs, marinade and grill on an outdoor gas grill.
  • If you have leftover shawarma white sauce, you can also use it as a sandwich spread or veggie dip. It also makes a wonderful salad dressing.

🧺 Storage

  • Leftover can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
  • The white sauce can be stored separately in a glass container with a tight lid and can keep for up to a week.
A spoon scooping some shawarma rice from a plate.

⌛ Make Ahead

  • The marinade for the chicken shawarma can be made up to two days before creating this dish.

🍽️ Serve With

  • Serve your chicken shawarma with a side salad, pita bread, fresh cucumber slices or even roasted veggies.

💬 FAQs

Can I substitute chicken breasts in place of chicken thighs?

Well, the short answer is yes, however, because chicken thighs are a fattier cut of meat, it's also tends to be more flavorful. Use whichever works best for you.

What is shawarma sauce made of?

Shawarma sauce is a delicious creamy sauce with garlic, yogurt, mayonnaise and then sometimes either lemon or lime is added.

A close up look at a chicken shawarma rice fish.

📣 Related Recipes

  • Chicken Kabsa is a one pot weeknight recipe that's easy to put together with spices you probably already have in your pantry.
  • Enjoy tender chicken and flavored rice in this chicken and yellow rice recipe.
  • Try this chicken shawarma fattah bowl with crunchy pitas and delicious garlicky white sauce.
  • Musakhan is considered a staple traditional dish in the Palestinian cuisine. Roasted sumac flavored chicken on top of taboon bread with caramelized onion and garnished with nuts. A feast on the table.

I hope you'll like this recipe and please if you make this recipe, snap a pic and hashtag it #amiraspantry — I love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter!
Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for the FREE Amira's Pantry newsletter delivered to your inbox with lots of tips and surprises! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for all the latest updates.

If you like this recipe do not forget to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and attach a photo of your finished dish. It is always a pleasure of mine to see your photos and check your own take of the recipe. Thank you.

What’s new? Check out Amira's Pantry Store on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of nostalgic goodness!  Thanks so much for being a part of Amira's Pantry!

A close up look at a chicken shawarma rice fish.

Chicken Shawarma Rice

Perfectly flavored chicken shawarma served over a bed of fragrant rice and topped with quick and easy shawarma white sauce.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
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Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Diet: Halal
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 21 minutes
Total Time: 36 minutes
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 980kcal
Author: Amira

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into cubes
  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 large garlic cloves crushed
  • 1 lemon Zest and Juiced
  • 1 Tablespoon coriander
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt or to your liking
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the rice:

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon cardamom
  • 1 chicken bouillon cube
  • salt to your liking
  • 2 cups basmati rice
  • 3 cups hot water

For the Shawarma white sauce:

  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 garlic cloves crushed
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • In a deep bowl combine chicken marinade and mix well.
  • Add chicken thighs and toss to cover with marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 48 hours.

Make the rice:

  • In a deep pot over medium heat, add oil, then sauté onion until translucent.
  • Add turmeric, cardamom and crumble a chicken cube on top if using.
  • Stir for another minute or until fragrant.
  • Add rice, stirring until rice is well coated with oil then pour in water.
  • Bring to a boil, cover and let it cook for 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cook chicken on a grilling pan until fully cooked.

Make the sauce:

  • In a small bowl combine sauce ingredients stirring everything well.

Serve:

  • On a big platter, spread rice evenly, top with chicken pieces and drizzle white sauce on top.

Notes

  • You can use whole thighs, marinade and grill on an outdoor gas grill.
  • If you have leftover shawarma white sauce, you can also use it as a sandwich spread or veggie dip. It also makes a wonderful salad dressing.
  • Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.

Nutrition

Calories: 980kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 58g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 24g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 198mg | Sodium: 1601mg | Potassium: 718mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 127mg | Iron: 3mg
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Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.

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About Amira

I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! My hope is to introduce you to new flavors, creative ways and fresh takes on favorites. To help you create food with style that will bring everyone around your kitchen table. From weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jody Peterson

    December 11, 2022 at 7:57 pm

    5 stars
    deliciousness

    Reply
  2. Yesenia

    August 14, 2022 at 5:36 am

    Hi Amira, thanks a lot for sharing your beautiful art, I called it art, cuz cooking it's a passion and becomes better when you share. I'm new to this style, and I'm happy that I found you, cuz I will use the right condiments and follow the tradition, I'm seeing someone who it's Muslim and I want him to be calm when I cook, especially since he is loving my food and follow his tradition, God Bless You. I hope that I can learn a lot from your recipes.

    Reply

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I send warm greetings from sunny Colorado. This blog combines weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean.
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