Halal Food Recipes-Chicken: Shawarma with Yellow Rice & Garlic Sauce

Looking for halal food recipes-chicken that are flavorful and easy to make? Try this chicken shawarma with yellow rice and creamy garlic sauce. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or gatherings.

Food has this magical way of bringing people together, doesn’t it? One of the things I love most about cooking is how a simple meal can turn into a memory that lasts for years. If you’ve been searching for halal chicken recipes that are comforting yet exciting, then you’re in the right place.

Today, we’re making Chicken Shawarma with Yellow Rice and White Garlic Sauce. The name alone makes your mouth water, right? This recipe layers fragrant basmati rice, juicy marinated chicken, and a creamy sauce that ties everything together. What I adore about this dish is how versatile it is. You can serve it as a big family dinner, pack it for lunch, or even build yourself a shawarma bowl for meal prep.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and dive into one of my favorite halal chicken recipes.

Main Ingredients for Halal Food Recipes-Chicken

Before we get into the details, let’s talk about the star players. Each ingredient here is chosen with care to give you authentic flavors while keeping things simple for home cooking.

• Basmati Rice: Long-grain rice that turns fluffy and aromatic when cooked. It’s the base of our yellow rice.
• Chicken Thighs: Boneless and skinless thighs are juicy, flavorful, and perfect for shawarma. They hold the spices well.
• Ghee or Butter: Adds richness to the rice and helps carry the spices.
• Spices for Rice: Turmeric, cumin, oregano, and a bay leaf. These give the rice its color, aroma, and depth.
• Shawarma Marinade Spices: A mix of allspice, paprika (also a key flavor in our paprika chicken and rice bake), coriander, cumin, sumac, turmeric, garlic, and black pepper. This blend makes the chicken irresistibly tasty.
• Olive Oil & Lemon Juice: Tenderizes the chicken while adding freshness.
• White Garlic Sauce: A creamy mix of mayo, toum (garlic spread), sour cream, lemon juice, sugar, and pepper. It’s tangy, garlicky, and balances the spices.
• Toppings: Crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and warm pita bread. They add freshness and texture to the meal.

Each ingredient plays a role in making this dish both hearty and balanced. It’s not just dinner, it’s a whole experience on a plate.

Additional Ingredients to Elevate Halal Food Recipes-Chicken

Sometimes, it’s the little extras that take a dish from good to unforgettable. If you want to add a twist, here are some ideas:

• Pickled Veggies: Quick pickled red onions or cucumbers add tanginess and crunch.
• Herbs: Fresh parsley or cilantro can be sprinkled on top for a bright, herby finish.
• Cheese: Crumbled feta or a dollop of labneh can make the plate richer.
• Grains: Swap basmati rice with bulgur or couscous for variety.
• Protein Alternatives: If you’re in the mood to experiment, try this marinade on beef strips, lamb, or even tofu.

These extras aren’t required, but they make the dish customizable for every mood and occasion.

Expert Tips

Cooking is as much about technique as it is about flavor. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks that guarantee success with this recipe.

• Marinate Overnight
  If you can, let the chicken rest in its marinade overnight. The longer it soaks, the more flavorful and tender it becomes. Think of it like a spa treatment for your chicken.
• Toast the Spices
  Don’t skip blooming your spices in ghee or butter when making rice. Toasting spices releases their oils, which means more aroma and depth. Your kitchen will smell amazing, too.
• Rest the Chicken After Cooking
  Just like a good steak, shawarma chicken benefits from a short rest after cooking. It keeps the juices inside so every bite is tender.
• Cook Rice with Broth
  Using chicken broth instead of water is a simple trick that makes rice more flavorful. It’s like giving plain rice a makeover.
• Thin the Sauce Slowly
  Add water to the white sauce gradually. You want it pourable but not runny. Too thick and it clumps, too thin and it slides right off.
• Meal Prep Like a Pro
  Store rice, chicken, and sauce separately in airtight containers. This way, everything stays fresh and you avoid soggy leftovers.
• Adjust Spice Levels
  Love heat? Add extra chili powder or cayenne to the marinade, or take inspiration from our crispy smoked chicken wings for a smoky, spicy twist. Prefer mild? Dial back the paprika or sumac.
• Use a Cast Iron Skillet
  If you don’t have an outdoor grill, a cast iron pan works wonders for giving the chicken that lovely char.

With these tips, your halal chicken recipe won’t just taste great, it’ll taste restaurant-worthy.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cooking this recipe is simple once you break it down. Let’s walk through it together.

1. Prep the Rice
   Rinse the basmati rice and soak it for 20 minutes. This keeps the grains long and fluffy. Drain before cooking.
2. Cook Yellow Rice
   In a pot, melt ghee and add turmeric, cumin, oregano, and a bay leaf. Stir until fragrant. Add rice, then pour in chicken broth and salt. Cover and simmer on low until fluffy.
3. Marinate Chicken
   In a bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and all the spices. Coat the chicken thighs well and let them marinate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
4. Cook Chicken
   Heat oil in a skillet or grill pan. Cook chicken until golden brown and fully done, about 5–6 minutes per side. Let it rest, then slice into strips.
5. Make White Sauce
   Combine mayo, toum, sour cream, lemon juice, sugar, and pepper. Thin with water until smooth and drizzle-friendly.
6. Assemble
   On a plate, spoon yellow rice, top with sliced chicken, drizzle sauce, and add toppings. This plating style is similar to our popular halal chicken over rice recipe that so many readers love. Serve with pita on the side.

Additional Guide: Variations & Serving Ideas

Want to make this recipe your own? Here are some fun variations:

• Shawarma Bowls: Replace pita with quinoa, roasted veggies, or a salad base, or explore a fresh spin with our Mediterranean chicken rice recipe.
• Wraps and Sandwiches: Stuff the chicken and toppings into pita bread or tortillas for a handheld version.
• Party Platter: Serve family-style with hummus, baba ganoush, and extra sauces for dipping.
• Healthier Twist: Swap mayo for Greek yogurt in the sauce to lighten it up without losing flavor.
• Slow Cooker Option: Marinate chicken and cook in a slow cooker on low for 6 hours. Shred and serve over rice.

These variations let you use one recipe in multiple ways so dinner never gets boring.

FAQs about Halal Food Recipes-Chicken

Conclusion

Cooking at home isn’t just about feeding the family. It’s about creating moments that linger long after the plates are cleared. This Chicken Shawarma with Yellow Rice is one of those recipes that does exactly that.

With tender chicken, fragrant rice, and a sauce that ties it all together, it’s a dish that feels both comforting and exciting. The best part? It’s simple enough for a weeknight but special enough for gatherings.

So, the next time you’re craving halal food recipes-chicken, give this one a try. I promise it’ll become a favorite in your home just like it has in mine.

Halal Food Recipes-Chicken Shawarma with Yellow Rice

This halal chicken shawarma with fragrant yellow rice and creamy garlic sauce is a comforting family meal packed with flavor.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Marinating Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Dinner

Cuisine Middle Eastern

Servings 4 plates

Calories 620 kcal

Equipment

• Cast Iron Skillet
• Medium Pot

Ingredients

  

Yellow Rice

• 2 cups Basmati rice
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp ghee or unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 to 1 1/2 tsp salt to taste
• 1 bay leaf

Chicken Shawarma

• 2 lbs chicken thighs boneless & skinless
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 1 tbsp garlic minced
• 2 tbsp allspice
• 1 tbsp coriander
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 1/2 tsp salt to taste
• 2 tsp sumac
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• oil for frying chicken

White Sauce

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup toum (garlic spread)
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 2-4 tbsp water to thin out

Toppings

• iceberg lettuce shredded
• tomatoes diced
• pita bread sliced
• sriracha or hot sauce to taste

Instructions

 

• Rinse and soak basmati rice for 20 minutes, then drain.
• In a pot, melt ghee, add turmeric, cumin, oregano, and bay leaf. Stir until fragrant.
• Add rice, chicken broth, and salt. Cover and simmer until rice is fluffy.
• Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices. Coat chicken and marinate at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Cook chicken in hot skillet until golden brown and fully cooked. Rest, then slice.
• Mix mayo, toum, sour cream, lemon juice, sugar, and black pepper. Thin with water.
• Assemble: yellow rice topped with sliced chicken, drizzle with white sauce, and finish with toppings.

Notes

Marinate chicken overnight for best flavor. Store rice, chicken, and sauce separately to keep leftovers fresh.

Keyword halal chicken recipe, halal food recipes-chicken, shawarma with rice