One Pot Shawarma Chicken And Rice

Introduction

Bursting with Middle Eastern flavor and effortless to pull together, this One Pot Shawarma Chicken and Rice is your answer to a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal without the mountain of dishes. With aromatic spices infusing tender chicken and fluffy rice in one convenient pot, this recipe is a surefire way to satisfy cravings for complex, savory flavors—ideal for busy weeknights or meal-prepping success.

The Flavorful Magic of One Pot Shawarma Chicken and Rice

What makes this dish especially appealing is the vibrant shawarma spice blend—a bold mix of cumin, paprika, turmeric, and cinnamon—that penetrates juicy chicken thighs and the simmering rice below. Every bite delivers layers of earthy, warm, and slightly tangy notes, creating a dinner that’s both comforting and transporting, all with minimal mess.

Building Rich Flavors in a Single Pot

Start by searing the chicken to golden perfection, locking in the spices and juices. After a quick sauté of aromatics and bell peppers, uncooked rice is added right into the pan alongside broth and a touch of tomato paste. This clever technique allows the rice to soak up all the delicious flavors as it cooks, making each grain as mouthwatering as the chicken itself.

Servings and Sides for a Perfect Meal

Serve your One Pot Shawarma Chicken and Rice with fresh parsley, a dollop of Greek yogurt or tzatziki, and crisp cucumber slices for the ultimate homemade takeout experience. Simple sides like a lemony salad or warm pita round out the meal, but it’s also satisfying all on its own.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 4 generous servings. Each portion typically contains around 480–520 calories, providing well-balanced protein, carbohydrates, and satisfying spices. Enjoy this nutritious meal as part of your weekly rotating menu.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate a neat, categorized shopping list that simplifies your grocery trip and keeps your pantry organized for the week.

Instructions

1. Combine cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, and salt in a bowl. Toss chicken pieces with half the spice mix and 1 tablespoon olive oil; let marinate while you chop remaining ingredients.
2. In a large Dutch oven or deep skillet, heat remaining olive oil over medium-high. Sear chicken pieces until golden on both sides, about 2–3 minutes each (they will finish cooking later). Set aside on a plate.
3. Add diced onion and sliced bell pepper to the pot; cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic, tomato paste, and remaining spice mix; sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in the rice and stir to coat with seasonings. Add chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
5. Return chicken and any juices to the pot, nestling pieces into the rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low; cover tightly and simmer for 18–20 minutes, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
6. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Fluff rice and garnish with fresh parsley and Greek yogurt, if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This one pot shawarma dish is made for meal planning—easy to batch cook, keeps well, and reheats beautifully for lunches and dinners all week. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to plot exactly when to make it, ensuring your shopping list is sorted, ingredient needs are consolidated, and leftovers are anticipated.

Planning Benefits:

– Instantly calculate total ingredients for multiple meals
– Organize each item by grocery category so nothing gets missed
– Reduce food waste and streamline your meal prepping process

Pro tip: When stacking recipes for the week, use the scheduler so overlapping ingredients (like onions or spices) are counted together—saving you time and making your weekly shop smarter.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Give this flavorful One Pot Shawarma Chicken and Rice a try—and turn a simple weeknight into a Middle Eastern feast with minimal fuss and maximum rewards!