🌟 Middle Eastern Chicken & Rice Bowl 🍗🍚✨
🌟 This Middle Eastern Chicken & Rice Bowl is bursting with bold spices, aromatic rice, and fresh toppings. Juicy spiced chicken combines perfectly with fragrant rice and a creamy yogurt drizzle for a wholesome and flavorful meal! 🌿🍋
Ingredients
For the Middle Eastern Chicken:
🍗 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
🥄 2 tbsp olive oil
🍋 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
🧄 2 cloves garlic, minced
🌶️ 1 tsp ground cumin
🌶️ 1 tsp smoked paprika
🌿 1/2 tsp ground coriander
🥄 1/2 tsp turmeric
🧂 Salt & pepper to taste
For the Fragrant Rice:
🍚 2 cups cooked basmati or jasmine rice
🧈 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
🥄 1/2 tsp turmeric (optional, for color)
🌿 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
For the Yogurt Sauce:
🥛 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
🧄 1 clove garlic, minced
🍋 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
🌿 1 tbsp fresh dill or parsley, chopped
🧂 Salt & pepper to taste
For the Toppings:
🥒 1/2 cup cucumber slices
🍅 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
🧅 1/4 cup diced red onion
🥬 1 cup shredded lettuce or spinach
Optional Garnishes:
🌿 Fresh parsley or cilantro
🌻 Toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds
🍋 Lemon wedges
Instructions
1️⃣ Marinate the Chicken:
In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
Coat the chicken in the marinade and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours).
2️⃣ Cook the Chicken:
Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium heat.
Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
3️⃣ Prepare the Rice:
If desired, mix turmeric into the cooked rice for a golden hue. Stir in butter or olive oil and parsley for a fragrant finish.
4️⃣ Make the Yogurt Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, dill or parsley, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
5️⃣ Assemble the Bowls:
Start with a base of fragrant rice in each bowl. Add shredded lettuce, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, and diced red onion.
Top with sliced chicken.
6️⃣ Drizzle and Garnish:
Drizzle the yogurt sauce over the bowl. Garnish with parsley, toasted pine nuts or almonds, and a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
🌟This Middle Eastern Chicken & Rice Bowl is a vibrant, wholesome, and flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep. Enjoy the rich spices and fresh toppings for a taste of the Mediterranean at home! 🌿💛
#MiddleEasternChicken #healthybowls #FlavorfulEats 🍚✨