Arabic cuisine is full of rich, flavorful dishes. Chicken is a popular ingredient in many Arabic recipes. It’s used in all kinds of meals, from slow-cooked stews to grilled dishes. The flavors are deep, thanks to the spices and marinades used.
In this post, we’ll show you 15 of the best Arabic chicken recipes. These dishes are easy to make and full of flavor.
Each one uses simple ingredients but creates a taste that’s unforgettable. You don’t need to be an expert to make these dishes, just follow the steps and enjoy the taste of the Middle East.
Let’s dive into the world of Arabic cooking and discover some amazing chicken dishes. Whether you want to impress guests or just enjoy a great meal, these recipes will be perfect for you.
1. Chicken Shawarma
Chicken shawarma is a popular street food in the Middle East. To make it, you’ll need boneless chicken thighs, garlic, yogurt, and shawarma spices. Marinate the chicken in a mix of yogurt, garlic, and spices. Then, grill the chicken until it’s tender and juicy. Serve it in pita bread with garlic sauce and vegetables.
This dish is easy to make at home. The flavor comes from the special shawarma spices, which include cumin, paprika, and turmeric. It’s a quick meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.
2. Maqluba
Maqluba is a flavorful chicken and rice dish. You’ll need chicken, rice, eggplant, and tomatoes. First, fry the eggplant and set it aside. Then, layer the chicken, vegetables, and rice in a pot. Cook everything together until the rice is tender.
Once done, flip the pot onto a plate, so the dish comes out in a beautiful layered shape. Maqluba is a show-stopping dish that’s perfect for family gatherings.
3. Chicken Kabsa
Kabsa is a spiced rice dish popular in Saudi Arabia. You’ll need chicken, basmati rice, tomatoes, and kabsa spices. First, sauté the chicken with onions and garlic. Then, add tomatoes and spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.
Cook the rice with the chicken, allowing the flavors to blend. Kabsa is a comforting dish that’s great for a special dinner or celebration.
4. Musakhan
Musakhan is a Palestinian dish that highlights sumac, a tangy spice. You’ll need chicken, onions, sumac, and flatbread. Start by cooking the onions with sumac until they’re soft and flavorful. Then, roast the chicken until golden brown.
Serve the chicken and onions on top of flatbread. The bread soaks up all the delicious flavors, making it a satisfying meal.
5. Chicken Mandi
Mandi is a traditional Yemeni dish made with spiced rice and chicken. You’ll need chicken, basmati rice, and mandi spices. First, rub the chicken with spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Roast the chicken until crispy.
Cook the rice with onions, garlic, and the same spices. Serve the chicken on top of the rice. Mandi is often served at special events and is loved for its smoky flavor.
6. Chicken Machboos
Machboos is a popular Gulf dish similar to biryani. You’ll need chicken, rice, tomatoes, and machboos spices. Sauté the chicken with onions, garlic, and spices like cinnamon and cardamom.
Then, cook the rice with the chicken, allowing the spices to infuse. Machboos is a hearty dish that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends.
7. Fattah with Chicken
Fattah is a layered dish made with bread, rice, and chicken. You’ll need chicken, pita bread, rice, and yogurt. First, fry pieces of pita bread until crispy. Layer the bread, rice, and cooked chicken in a dish.
Top everything with yogurt and garlic sauce. Fattah is a comforting dish with different textures that make every bite delicious.
8. Dajaj Mashwi (Grilled Chicken)
Grilled chicken is a staple in Arabic cooking. You’ll need chicken, garlic, lemon, and olive oil. Marinate the chicken in a mix of garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Grill the chicken until it’s cooked through and slightly charred.
Serve with rice or flatbread and a side of salad. This dish is simple but packed with flavor, perfect for a quick meal.
9. Chicken Freekeh
Freekeh is a type of roasted green wheat. You’ll need chicken, freekeh, onions, and garlic. First, cook the chicken with onions and garlic until golden. Then, add freekeh and water, and cook until the grain is tender.
This dish is hearty and full of earthy flavors. Freekeh is rich in nutrients, making this dish both healthy and filling.
10. Chicken Thareed
Thareed is a stew-like dish served with bread. You’ll need chicken, tomatoes, carrots, and flatbread. Cook the chicken with tomatoes, carrots, and spices like cumin and coriander.
Once the stew is done, serve it over pieces of flatbread. The bread soaks up all the flavors, making this dish incredibly satisfying.
11. Chicken Maklouba
Maklouba is a famous upside-down rice and chicken dish. You’ll need chicken, rice, eggplant, and cauliflower. Fry the vegetables and layer them with chicken and rice in a pot. Cook everything together until the rice is tender.
Flip the pot onto a plate to reveal the beautiful layers. This dish is perfect for special occasions and is always a crowd-pleaser.
12. Chicken Molokhia
Molokhia is a stew made from jute leaves. You’ll need chicken, molokhia leaves, garlic, and coriander. First, cook the chicken until tender. Then, sauté the molokhia leaves with garlic and coriander.
Add the chicken back to the pot and simmer. Molokhia is usually served with rice or flatbread and is loved for its unique flavor.
13. Chicken Kofta
Kofta are spiced meatballs made with ground chicken. You’ll need ground chicken, onions, parsley, and spices. Mix the chicken with onions, parsley, and spices like cumin and coriander. Shape the mixture into meatballs or patties.
Grill or bake the kofta until cooked through. Serve with flatbread and a side of yogurt sauce. Kofta is a fun and easy dish that’s perfect for any meal.
14. Chicken Tagine
Tagine is a slow-cooked Moroccan dish. You’ll need chicken, preserved lemons, olives, and spices. Cook the chicken with garlic, ginger, and spices in a tagine or heavy pot.
Add preserved lemons and olives for extra flavor. Let everything simmer until the chicken is tender. This dish is full of deep, rich flavors and pairs well with couscous.
15. Chicken Ouzi
Ouzi is a rice and chicken dish often served at weddings. You’ll need chicken, rice, peas, and almonds. Cook the chicken with spices like cinnamon and cardamom. Cook the rice separately with peas and almonds.
Once everything is done, serve the chicken on top of the rice. Ouzi is a festive dish that’s perfect for celebrations.
Conclusion
These 15 Arabic chicken recipes are a delicious way to explore Middle Eastern flavors. From the smoky taste of mandi to the rich spices in shawarma, there’s something for everyone. These dishes are easy to make and perfect for sharing with family and friends.
So why not try one of these recipes tonight? You’ll be transported to the Middle East with every bite. Happy cooking!