Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice Recipe

Introduction

A Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice recipe delivers big on flavor and comfort without complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients. Fragrant spices, juicy chicken, and fluffy rice come together in one extraordinary dish that’s equally perfect for family dinners or meal prep. Its hearty, all-in-one nature makes this a timeless crowd pleaser you’ll want to cook again and again.

Why This Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice Recipe is a Must-Try

This dish stands out because of its perfectly seasoned chicken, aromatic rice infused with warm spices, and hidden pops of sweetness from golden raisins—all cooked together for maximum flavor with minimal fuss. The harmonious layering of textures and spices highlights classic Middle Eastern profiles, giving you a restaurant-worthy meal at home.

Choosing the Right Flavors

Authentic Middle Eastern chicken and rice revolves around a blend of earthy cumin, aromatic cinnamon, and smokiness from coriander and allspice. Use good-quality basmati or jasmine rice that stays tender without getting mushy. Turmeric adds color and depth, while a generous sprinkle of fresh herbs and toasted nuts at the end brings brightness and crunch.

Step-by-Step Assembly

Begin by searing chicken pieces for deep flavor, then sauté onions, garlic, and your spice blend until fragrant. Basmati rice is toasted in the same pan to absorb every bit of flavor, before layering in chicken broth and raisins. The chicken returns to finish cooking above the simmering rice, ensuring both are perfectly tender. A final flourish of toasted almonds and chopped parsley completes this festive dish.

Serving Suggestions

Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice is delicious served with a side of tangy yogurt or cucumber salad to balance its warmth and spice. Garnish with lemon wedges for a hint of acidity, or a sprinkle of sumac for extra brightness. Pair with warm flatbread or a simple green salad to create a well-rounded meal.

Nutritional Information & Serving Size

This recipe makes about 4 to 6 generous servings. Each serving (without added toppings) typically contains around 430 calories, 30g protein, 8g fat, and 58g carbohydrates. Protein-rich and satisfying, it’s nourishing enough for busy weeknights or festive weekend feasts.

Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice Recap

Aromatic rice, savory chicken, sweet golden raisins, and a medley of spices make this Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice unbeatable for easy, hearty dinners that impress. Its straightforward method and vibrant flavors explain why it’s beloved from kitchens to celebrations everywhere.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically build your shopping list with every ingredient sorted by grocery section—making meal planning and shopping much more efficient and stress-free.

Instructions

1. Pat chicken dry and season well with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until golden brown on both sides (about 5 minutes per side). Transfer chicken to a plate.
2. In the same pan, reduce heat to medium. Sauté onion until soft and golden, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
3. Stir in cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, and allspice. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
4. Add rinsed rice to the pan, stirring to coat grains in the spices and oil, about 2 minutes.
5. Pour in chicken broth and season with 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste). Stir in golden raisins if using.
6. Carefully nestle the seared chicken pieces on top of the rice. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 25–30 minutes, until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
7. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff rice. Garnish with toasted nuts, fresh herbs, and serve with lemon wedges.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice recipe is ideal for meal prepping big-batch lunches or organizing family dinners. Save and schedule this recipe to your meal plan and effortlessly generate a smart, consolidated shopping list with everything you need for the week.

Planning Benefits:

• Keeps ingredient quantities accurate and up-to-date across all saved recipes
• Eliminates duplicate items and forgotten ingredients
• Keeps your shopping list organized by grocery store categories
• Makes sticking to your weekly meal plan simple and stress-free

Pro tip: Using CookifyAI, schedule multiple recipes for the week to see where you can double up on staple ingredients—like rice, broth, or onions—helping you cut costs and limit food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes