If you are ready to experience a variety of Middle Eastern chicken recipes other than chicken shawarma, you've come to the right place! Middle Eastern cuisine is rife with chicken recipes that are cooked and served in a variety of ways: with rice, in stews, grilled or baked! Let's walk through these tested and perfected recipes and give you a taste of the middle east!
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How Chicken is Cooked in the Middle East
Chicken is quite a common protein across the middle east, along with beef and lamb. Chicken tends to be slightly cheaper than both beef and lamb, and therefore is culturally considered a more "casual" type of protein for every day home cooking.
For example, if you are Arab and you are throwing a dinner party, it's important to always have a platter of a lamb or beef based dish (like quzi or lamb kabsa), with chicken dishes being more of a "secondary" consideration.
However, for everyday cooking and family lunches and dinners, chicken is cooked very often! It is a versatile protein that is often grilled, baked, or used in stews.
Bone-in chicken is often either baked whole, or in pieces, or stewed and simmered slowly to form a rich chicken broth for use in soups and stews like in molokhia.
Bone-in pieces are also the cut of choice when it comes to chicken based rice dishes where the chicken and rice are cooked together, in order to extract all the flavours from the bones (like in chicken machboos).
Boneless chicken is most often skewered onto metal skewers and grilled on the BBQ during the summer, like the popular shish tawook. Its also commonly used in quick cooking curries or skillet stews when boneless.
Middle Eastern Chicken Recipes with Rice
Chicken is very commonly paired with rice in the middle east (as most foods are - rice is always on the table!). The below recipes are all delicious ways of serving chicken along with rice for a full meal.
Chicken Mandi (Yemeni Chicken & Yellow Rice)
4.9 from 25 votes
This chicken and rice dish is not your average recipe - a traditional Yemeni recipe that combines succulent chicken, perfectly seasoned with a warm spice blend and served with glistening yellow rice, topped with fried onions, almond and raisins. There's nothing like it!
Check out this recipe!
ChickenMachboos(Rice & Chicken Kabsa)
5 from 42 votes
This chicken Machboos is a popular Arabic rice dish. Onions, garlic, dry lime, cinnamon, cardamom and bay leaves are used to perfectly spice the rice to perfection. It's served with chicken that's been crisped up, along with toasted pine nuts and raisins. Such a soul satisfying dish and a must try for any lover of Arabic food!
Check out this recipe!
Arabic Biryani
5 from 25 votes
Authentic Arabic Biryani comes together with fragrant yellow rice, spiced chicken, peas, potatoes, sweet raisins and crunchy almonds. A true celebration of Iraqi cuisine - it's a must try dish!
Check out this recipe!
Shawarma Rice with White Sauce (in one pot!)
5 from 78 votes
This chicken shawarma rice cooked all in one pot is the best weekday dinner. Yellow rice, perfectly spiced chicken and the most amazing white sauce make the ultimate combination. A must try!
Check out this recipe!
One Pot Chicken and Rice
5 from 8 votes
Try this mouthwatering one pot chicken and rice recipe today! Tender chicken thighs oozing with flavour served on top of fluffy rice cooked in vegetable broth. The easiest weeknight dinner you can make, this is comfort food done right!
Check out this recipe!
Middle Eastern Grilled Chicken Recipes
Chicken is often skewered onto metal skewers and grilled in the summer time for delicious BBQs. Its also grilled as full bone-in pieces, like drumsticks or wings. Try the recipes below for a great, easy and satisfying chicken based meal!
Shish Tawook | Grilled Chicken Skewers
5 from 17 votes
Tender chicken breast pieces marinated in yogurt, spices and tomato paste, grilled to perfection. Serve as a side or part of the main course, these shish tawook skewers make a delicious weeknight family meal.
Check out this recipe!
15-Minute Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs (Chicken Skewers)
5 from 4 votes
These quick and easy chicken kabobs are tender, juicy and flavourful! Use your air fryer to make them in just 12 minutes, and serve with your favourite sides.
Check out this recipe!
Marinated Chicken Joojeh Kabab (Grill or Bake)
5 from 3 votes
These delicious Persian chicken kabobs are marinated overnight in a juicy yogurt and saffron marinade to yield the most succulent and uniquely flavoured grilled chicken!
Check out this recipe!
20-Minute Chicken Kofta (Grilled or Pan-Fried)
5 from 3 votes
Chicken Kofta is the perfect recipe to use up ground chicken. These flavourful and super moist koftas can also be shaped into patties or burgers for lunches and over salads!
Check out this recipe!
Middle Eastern Baked Chicken Recipes
Baking bone-in chicken pieces is a very common dish across middle eastern countries, especially when paired with roasted potatoes. It is referred to as "seniyet djaj w batata" which literally translates to "a tray of chicken and potato". The below recipes are great for baking, some common and some less traditional like musakhan rolls!
Roasted Za'atar Chicken & Potatoes
5 from 17 votes
This baked honey za'atar chicken makes the best weeknight dinner. Mix the marinade together, pour it all over the chicken and potatoes, and bake until golden. Delicious with bread to mop up all the juices!
Check out this recipe!
Musakhan Rolls
5 from 8 votes
Try these Musakhan rolls, made with shredded chicken, caramelized onions, olive oil and lots of sumac! An easy spin on a classic Palestinian dish with sweet and sour flavour notes. Must try!
Check out this recipe!
20-Minute Authentic Arabic Chicken Shawarma
5 from 10 votes
This Arabic Shawarma recipe made with tender chicken and spiced to perfection is a go-to weeknight meal and so versatile. Whether you eat it with rice, in wraps, or on top of a salad, you must make it!
Check out this recipe!
Mediterranean roasted chicken
5 from 10 votes
Marinated with the sweetness of pomegranate molasses, smoky paprika and garlic cloves, this roasted chicken is the best! Served with potatoes and onions and topped with sprigs of fresh thyme.
Check out this recipe!
Sumac Chicken and Onion (Sheet Pan Dinner)
4.9 from 15 votes
This Sumac Chicken and Onion sheet pan dinner is bursting with Middle Eastern spices and requires very little effort to make! Simply marinate the chicken and onion slices then pop in the oven and youâre done! The flavours are inspired by classic Palestinian Musakhan. Itâs the perfect weeknight dinner.
Check out this recipe!
Pomegranate Chicken Recipe (Air Fryer Drumsticks)
4.9 from 14 votes
These pomegranate air fryer drumsticks are tangy, sweet and spicy - the perfect combination.
Check out this recipe!
Other Middle Eastern Chicken Recipes
Chicken is not often used in stews (most middle eastern stews are cooked using beef or lamb like fasolia or okra), with the exception of Molokhia. It is a very popular jute mallow stew always cooked with rice (and rabbit in Egypt!).
Often times, shredded chicken is used as leftovers from another meal to form into a "fatteh", which is a quick dish that uses leftovers, including bread. Try it out for a fun twist on a light dinner or lunch!
Arabic Chicken Fatteh with Chickpeas
4.9 from 8 votes
This Arabic Chicken Fatteh dish is so easy to make and FULL of texture. Crunchy pita, perfectly seasoned chicken and chickpeas, smooth garlic tahini yogurt, and topped off with crunchy almonds and parsley. It's a party in your mouth. MUST make!
Check out this recipe!
Authentic Molokhia (Mulukhiya)
5 from 7 votes
Molokhia is a leafy green plant called Jute Mallow that is commonly simmered in chicken broth, garlic, and coriander to make this flavourful stew. Serve with Egyptian rice or bread, it's comfort in a bowl!
Check out this recipe!
If you tried these recipes, please consider leaving a star âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page - I'd love to hear from you! You can also hop on over to Instagram and say hello!
