Authentic Chicken Shawarma with Spiced Rice

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-30 · Updated 2026-03-30

A Middle Eastern street food favorite featuring tender chicken marinated in spices and served with fragrant basmati rice. This Middle Eastern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 75 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, ground cumin, ground paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground paprika
• 1/2 tsp sumac
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1.5 cups basmati rice
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 tsp saffron threads
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1.5 lbs chicken thighs with 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground paprika, 1/2 tsp sumac, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tbsp olive oil. Marinate for 1 hour.
2. Step 2: Preheat a grill or skillet to medium-high heat. Cook chicken in batches for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden and juices run clear. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In a pot, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1.5 cups basmati rice, 1/2 tsp saffron threads, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Cook for 15-18 minutes, until rice is tender and water is absorbed.
4. Step 4: Slice the cooked chicken into thin strips. Serve the chicken with a side of spiced rice, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.