Description
Mediterranean flavors dance through this Chicken Shawarma Rice, blending aromatic spices with tender marinated chicken over fluffy seasoned rice. Warm layers of comfort invite you to savor each spoonful of this delightful Middle Eastern-inspired culinary journey.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (500 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cups cooked rice (or ¾ cup uncooked long-grain rice)
- 4 ounces (100 grams) halloumi cheese, diced
- 10 ounces (300 grams) tomatoes, diced
- 1 cucumber, diced
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon harissa paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 red onion, finely diced
- 2 scallions (spring onions), finely chopped
- 1 handful of flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Dressing and Oils:
- ½ cup tahini
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- ⅓ cup water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Thoroughly cleanse rice grains under cold running water until liquid runs clear, then cook using precise liquid measurements to achieve fluffy texture.
- Carefully create aromatic marinade by blending warming spices like cumin, coriander, and cinnamon with zesty lemon juice, pungent garlic, and silky olive oil.
- Massage marinade deeply into chicken pieces, ensuring complete coating and allowing flavors to penetrate for maximum taste intensity.
- Heat oven to high temperature and position chicken on lined baking sheet, roasting until exterior develops golden-brown caramelization and interior reaches perfect tenderness.
- While chicken roasts, prepare halloumi by cutting into uniform cubes, then introduce to oven during final cooking stage to achieve crispy, golden exterior.
- Transform ordinary rice into crispy delight by tossing with vibrant harissa, fragrant turmeric, and drizzle of olive oil, then spread evenly for uniform browning.
- Create luxurious tahini dressing by whisking creamy tahini with bright lemon juice, minced garlic, and gentle splash of water until smooth and pourable.
- Chop roasted chicken into bite-sized pieces and combine with fresh cucumber, ripe tomatoes, sharp scallions, and verdant parsley.
- Layer crispy rice as foundation, arrange seasoned chicken and vegetable mixture on top, then generously drizzle with tahini dressing.
- Garnish with additional halloumi crumbles and serve immediately, allowing diners to add extra dressing as desired.
Notes
- Perfectly cook rice by using cold, day-old rice or spreading freshly cooked rice on a tray to cool quickly, preventing clumping and ensuring individual grains stay separated.
- Enhance marination by scoring chicken slightly and allowing it to sit in spices for at least 2 hours, letting flavors deeply penetrate the meat for maximum taste intensity.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting cumin, coriander, and turmeric
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1000 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg