By: Author Amanda Mouttaki
I am always looking for new easy Arabic recipes for my family and chicken is always the protein of choice in our house. Truthfully I think my kids have gotten a bit tired of Moroccan food and so branching out is a must.
We are big fans of food from the rest of the region and the further Middle East. While I was making a list of foods we loved I came up with these Arabic chicken recipes that we think you’ll like too.
I tried to choose recipes that represent multiple countries across North Africa and the Middle East. I’ve left off Turkish and Persian dishes because…they’re not Arabic countries or cultures, even though it’s often all lumped together.
These 10 easy Middle Eastern chicken recipes are going to change up your chicken game!
Arabic Chicken Recipes
If you're searching for Arabic food recipes and fall into the chicken-lovers camp you're in the right place. These 10 meal ideas are great for any meal.
Saudi Arabian Kabsa {Chicken and Rice}
Chicken kabsa is a popular traditional dish from Saudi Arabia – sometimes considered THE national dish of the country. It is also known by the name ofmakbus. There are variations of this dish made in the areas around Saudi Arabia as well. What makes this dish really special is the use and combination of spices that flavor the chicken and the rice.
Take the dish up a bit with the addition ofdaqqus, an Arabic tomato sauce that can be made spicy if you like. Kabsa rice is easy to make and can be reheated if you make a big batch by placing into the oven, covering with aluminum foil and slowly warming up.
Slow Cooker Chicken Shwarma
My middle son absolutely adores chicken shawarma and living where we do it's easy enough to pop outside and buy a sandwich. But, they're not always the healthiest and I can't really control the quality or what's in them. Instead I love making this dish at home.
It's also turned out to be a REALLY popular dish for potlucks and gatherings. If you're wondering what to make with chicken shawarma there's no limit! Make up a big batch of the meat, put it out with different toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, pickles to name a few and then whip up some shawarma garlic sauce and you're all set to party!
Syrian Fattet Djaj {Layered Chicken Platter}
Get ready to go crazy for this dish! Basically there is nothing wrong with this meal – what's not to love when you combine chicken, fried pita bread, rice, and a garlicky yogurt/lime sauce? Best of all, there's a shortcut if you don't have the time to cook a whole chicken to add to the dish – rotisserie chicken works too.
Make this when the rice and chicken are warm and eat immediately because it really can't be reheated. Don't worry you won't have any leftovers to heat up anyway!
Photo Credit:globaltableadventure.com
Palestinian Musakhan
Palestinian chicken musakhan is a delicious and fun addition to any dinner table. Don't be scared off by the steps, the flavor pays off in the end. This is a great way to save some money too as it uses chicken legs, though you could swap for any cut of meat that you like.
The ingredients in this dish are all easy to get in the region though if you're living elsewhere it may require a little bit of effort. This dish is a favorite for kids.
Why?
You get to eat with your hands!
Photo Credit:www.saveur.com
Iraqi Yellow Spice-Rubbed Chicken
The Arabic name for this dish isDjaj bil-Bahar Il-Asfarand it makes for a fantastic summer grilled chicken recipe. When you want to really up your grill game – go for this! The spice blend on this chicken is what really makes it special and it does require a few specialty items you might not have in your pantry.
You can leave them off but know the recipe won't be quite the same. When I made this I added a bit of olive oil to the spice paste and popped it in the fridge overnight. Drool worthy!
Tunisian Djerba Rice with Chicken
Hailing from the Mediterranean island of Djerba this rice dish is an all in one meal with starch, protein and vegetable all in one dish. It's also steamed making it a unique preparation. That being said it's quick and easy to make with minimal oversight. ideal for a weeknight dinner.
Photo Credit:mideats.com
NYC’s Halal Food Cart Chicken and Rice
I made this dish for the first time recently after having it saved on Pinterest for months. I don't know why I waited so long. My family LOVES this dish. So much so that my husband has asked me to add it to the weekly meal plan.
My kids gobble it up and ask for seconds and thirds. I like it because honestly, it's really easy to make! While you should marinade the chicken for 2+ hours I've left it for just 15-30 minutes and it's still very good. Whatever you do, DO NOT skip making the yogurt sauce topping, it really makes the dish.
Photo Credit:happilyhafsa.com
Instant Pot Mediterranean Tomato Chicken & Rice Dinner
For those of us who are really short on time but still want to put something delicious on the table, this recipe might be just want you're looking for. Not only is it super fast, you're going to have minimal dishes to wash from cooking! It is a great use of an instapot for dinner.
Make the recipe once and then adjust based on your tastes. Add more hot peppers if you'd rather a bit of a kick, or mix in some toasted nuts when it's complete for added texture. There are dozens of variations you could make!
Photo Credit:chefindisguise.com
Mulukhiyah
This dish might be hard to get your kids to eat if they're not big on “green” foods but it's extremely popular in the Levant. The stew portion is made from a leafy vegetable called nalta jute that grows in the region – it's similar to spinach.
Historically speaking this dish is OLD dating back to the pharaohs of Egypt and was prized because of its health benefits. You can make it with any kind of meat on the side. This recipe uses beef but has instructions for substituting chicken.
Recipe: Moroccan Chicken B'stila
This Moroccan sweet and savory dish is a little difficult to master but sure to impress your family or guests. Originating in Moorish Spain it was once only served in the royal dining rooms. However as the average person gained access to the prized materials needed to create this, it became a special occasion dish.
It does take some time and effort to master but it's a show stopper of a dish that will make your guests (or family) ask for seconds.
There’s a myth that all Middle Eastern recipes are time consuming and difficult to make but this isn’t true. Check out this post of easy middle eastern recipes where I have 12 awesome recipes that take 45 minutes or less. Some can be done in your Instant Pot, others are single pan meals, or simply require assembly.
Bonus: Middle Eastern Rice Dishes
We never used to eat much rice but once MarocBaba was diagnosed with celiac disease that changed. So now we’re always looking for great rice dishes. There’s a wide variety of main dishes that include rice as well as great rice side dishes to pair with your meal.
