• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Hungry Paprikas logo
  • Ramadan Recipes
  • Recipe Search
    • Recipes by Type
      • Appetizers & Snacks
      • Breakfast & Brunch
      • Desserts & Sweets
      • Dips & Sauces
      • Main Dishes
        • Beef
        • Chicken
        • Rice
      • Salads
      • Side Dishes
      • Soups & Stews
      • Vegetarian
    • Recipes by Cooking Method
      • Instant Pot
      • One Pot
      • Oven-Baked
      • Stovetop
    • Recipes by Holiday
      • Eid Recipes
      • Ramadan Recipes
        • Iftar
        • Suhoor
    • Recipe Search
    • Recipe Index
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Ramadan Recipes
  • Recipe Search
  • Recipe Index
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Rice » Shawarma Rice with White Sauce (in one pot)

    Shawarma Rice with White Sauce (in one pot)

    4.99 from 65 votes
    November 6, 2020 (last updated December 3, 2022) by Amina Al-Saigh

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    This one pot Shawarma Rice recipe is my top go-to quick dishes to make for busy weekdays. What's not to love about yellow rice with white sauce that gets cooked all in one pot and will take you no more than 40 minutes?!

    Shawarma rice served with white sauce and a side salad
    Table of Contents show
    1 What is Shawarma?
    2 Ingredients you'll need
    3 How to make shawarma rice
    4 FAQs and Expert Tips
    5 How to serve it
    6 Other recipes you will love
    7 Shawarma Rice with White Sauce (in one pot!)

    What is Shawarma?

    Shawarma is a traditional Middle Eastern street food found in many Middle Eastern and specifically Arabic countries. Pieces of chicken or beef are stacked on a very large and long rotating skewer and slow roasted to perfection. Then the meat is shaved off the skewer and made into delicious wraps.

    It's irresistible. It's obviously hard to re-create at home using the skewer method, so I usually resort to my sheet pan chicken shawarma recipe for a quick fix and it's SO good. I also turn it into a shawarma plate when I have all the fixings and it's better than takeout.

    Also, my Arab-Canadian self is so obsessed with Shawarma that I even made a shawarma poutine. If you are intrigued I highly recommend you try it!

    But anyways, back to this shawarma rice... I know that it's not *really* shawarma because I'm cooking it in one pot with the rice, but I decided to call it that because I use the same exact spices for shawarma and the yellow rice just goes with it perfectly.

    If you prefer a meat option, check out this easy Hashweh Rice, or better yet, there are so many more quick weeknight rice recipes for you to try too!

    Ingredients you'll need

    A few very simple ingredients is all you need. And you can feel free to add vegetables to this as well, like peas and carrots. You can cook them with the onion if you're using them.

    A few notes on the ingredients:

    • It's really important to use long grain rice for this recipe, because other types of rice will have different cooking time and water ratio.
    • The diced onions is a must, don't skip it!
    • I prefer to use boneless chicken thighs for the best flavour. If you are using bone-in, make sure to adjust your cooking time since they take longer
    • The sauce is amazing. I make it using a mix of mayo and yogurt so it's lighter, healthier, but still super delicious!
    ingredients need for shawarma rice, which are: long grain rice, garlic, diced onion, chicken thighs, rice spices, lemon juice, mayo, yogurt and sauce spices

    How to make shawarma rice

    This recipe will take about 10 minutes of hands on time, and then you're just waiting for everything to cook. It's incredibly easy. Here's how it goes:

    Two photos side by side of chicken pieces searing in a pan, and onions caramelizing in a pan
    • Marinate your chicken thighs with the chicken spices. Ideally the night before, but no worries if you didn't have time. Just marinate them while you're preparing everything else. I use boneless thighs that are cut up into bite sized pieces
    • Dice the onions, crush the garlic and wash and drain the rice
    • In a pan with raised sides (or a small pot), add some olive oil and sear the chicken pieces for 3-4 minutes on each side until they're golden. Remove them from the pan
    • Add the onions and cook for a few minutes until softened. Then add the garlic and the spices and continue cooking a further few minutes
    side by side photo of white rice being added to a pan, along with small chicken pieces
    • Add the washed rice, stir, then add the chicken back on top
    • Add the water, cover and lower to low heat. Cook for 20 minutes undisturbed
    side by side photo of steps to make a white shawarma sauce
    • Meanwhile prepare the sauce by whisking together all the ingredients. I have made the sauce with and without tahini, and both ways are great. If you don't have tahini I left it as optional
    • Fluff the rice, serve with the sauce and a salad and enjoy!
    Shawarma rice served with white sauce and a side salad

    FAQs and Expert Tips

    • Can I use chicken breast instead? Yes you can use chicken breast. Just ensure you don't over-cook it especially when you're searing it. Use high heat and cook it only a few minutes until it starts to brown then remove it immediately. I prefer chicken thighs because they tend to remain really juicy due to their higher fat content, but if you love chicken breast, it certainly works.
    • Can I use whole chicken pieces? If you are too lazy to cut the chicken into bite sized pieces, then you can definitely use whole thighs. However, you will need to increase the cooking time when you're initially searing them to ensure they cook through later when added back to the rice.
    • Can I use bone-in chicken? Bone-in chicken will work as well, but it will need even longer to cook than boneless thighs. Just ensure you test it for doneness! You will need to cook it until it's almost cooked through before adding it in with the rice.
    • I can't find tahini, can I leave it out? Yes, you can make the sauce without the tahini. It'll still taste delicious
    • Can I add vegetables to this dish? Yes, you can add vegetables and cook them with the onions. Things like frozen peas and carrots work well, or you can even add mushrooms, spinach, or kale. You may need to add a bit more spices to account for the additional vegetables - taste and adjust!

    How to serve it

    I love to pair this shawarma rice with some greens. I usually make a simple salad with whatever I have in the fridge like cucumber, tomato, lettuce, onion. The easiest dressing is a lemon and olive oil dressing to keep the flavours simple. You can also serve it with my kale tahini salad or some Fattoush if you're feeling it!

    Other recipes you will love

    • Piece of pita in Muhammara spread in a plate drizzled with pomegranate molasses, walnuts and parsley, with walnuts in a small bowl, pita in the corner on a white and blue tiled background
      Muhammara (Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip)
    • 45 degree view of Green plate with rice, lentils and caramelized onions, chopped cucumbers and peppers with mint on top, on a dark green tiled background, the end of a spoon on the plate and some mint leaves in the top corner
      One Pot Mujadara (Middle Eastern Lentils and Rice)
    • tahini paste in a small open jar with sesame seeds around it and some tahini paste in a small bowl in the corner
      Homemade Tahini Paste in 10 Minutes
    • Orange-brown bowl filled with labneh topped with slivered almonds, parsley, with pita at the side, olive oil bottle, chilli flakes, parsley and lemon at the side
      How to Make Labneh at Home (5 minutes!)

    If you tried these recipes, please consider leaving a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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!

    chicken shawarma rice with white sauce and a side salad

    Shawarma Rice with White Sauce (in one pot!)

    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!
    4.99 from 65 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Mains
    Cuisine: middle eastern
    Keyword: Shawarma, Shawarma Rice, Yellow Rice
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4 -6
    Author: Amina Al-Saigh

    Ingredients

    For the chicken:

    • 450 g chicken thighs cut into bite sized pieces
    • 2 crushed garlic cloves
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking

    For the rice:

    • 2 small onions or 1 medium roughly 1 cup diced
    • 3 cloves garlic crushed
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1.5 teaspoons salt
    • ½ teaspoon turmeric
    • ¼ teaspoon cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 cups basmati rice
    • 3 cups water

    For the white sauce:

    • 1 cup full fat plain yogurt
    • 1.5 tablespoons mayonnaise
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper more per preference
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder you can use fresh too, adjust amount to your liking
    • ¼ teaspoon chilli powder
    • 2-3 teaspoons lemon juice per preference
    • 2 tablespoons tahini paste optional - you can leave it out if you don't have it

    Instructions

    • Start by marinating the chicken with all the spices, either overnight (best results) or just before you start preparing the other ingredients
    • In a large pan with high sides, add the 1 tablespoon of olive oil for the chicken, and sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side on high heat, until golden brown. Remove and set aside
    • Add the rest of the oil (2 tablespoons) and the diced onion with the salt (amount under "for the rice") and cook for 5 minutes on medium heat until softened
    • Add the crushed garlic and all the spices, and cook for a further 2 minutes
    • Add the washed and drained rice and stir for a few minutes. Add the chicken back into the pan and then the water
    • It should start to bubble right away or within a few minutes. Once it bubbles, cover and turn the heat to low. Allow it to cook undisturbed for 20 minutes
    • Meanwhile prepare the sauce by whisking together all the ingredients, and adjust the salt, pepper and lemon per preference
    • After 20 minutes, fluff the rice with a fork and serve with the sauce and a side salad

    Notes

    • You can use chicken breast instead of thighs, just ensure you don't overcook it during the searing process
    • The tahini in the white sauce is optional if you can't find it. If you do have it, I highly recommend it!
    • You can also add vegetables like peas, carrots, mushrooms, or spinach. Cook the vegetables with the onion before moving to the next step. You may need to add a bit more salt/spices to adjust for additional vegetables
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @HungryPaprikas or tag #HungryPaprikas!
    « Lebanese Moussaka (Maghmour | Vegan)
    Egyptian Goulash (Phyllo meat pie) »
    11399 shares

    Reader Interactions

      Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe Cancel reply

      If you loved this recipe, please consider leaving a star rating and a comment as well as any recipe questions you have. Star ratings help people discover my recipes, and your support means so much to me!

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      Comments

    1. Betsy says

      March 23, 2023 at 2:54 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is fantastic. I make with tofu. I cook the tofu separately in a pan with olive oil until crispy, then add a few tbsp soy sauce, stir, then a few tbsp nutritional yeast, stir, then the spices and garlic that are in your chicken recipe. I also make a Mediterranean salsa of cucumber, tomato, red onion, and parsley. Thanks so much for this amazing recipe!!

      Reply
    2. shafaq says

      March 21, 2023 at 5:08 am

      4 stars
      Quick and easy and very flavorful!

      Reply
    3. Ashley says

      March 18, 2023 at 1:46 am

      5 stars
      Oh yum! This was a wonderful weeknight meal, and the white sauce was absolutely DELISH. I did use bone-in thighs, since that's what I already had at home, so if anyone is curious about it I added about 10 minutes to the cook time and they turned out great!

      Reply
    4. Amna says

      March 13, 2023 at 3:59 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely LOVED by the whole family! Thank you, once again!

      Reply
    5. Yasmeen says

      March 04, 2023 at 9:13 pm

      5 stars
      One of my favourite things to make! It’s super simple but comes out tasting like it’s complex (in a great way!).

      Reply
    6. Hanouda says

      February 05, 2023 at 11:02 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious!! Easy to make and the whole family loved it ❤

      Reply
      • Amina Al-Saigh says

        March 04, 2023 at 4:45 am

        Amazing to hear! Thanks for the feedback!

        Reply
    7. Molly says

      February 02, 2023 at 7:19 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! I used my instant pot to cook everything and it turned out amazing! My 11 year old son said it was bussin, so very high praises! Haha!

      For those that are curious how I cooked it in the instant pot, I cooked according to the written recipe then cooked on manual for 7 minutes and let it natural release for 10 minutes then I released pressure value the rest of the way. Served with some garlic butter pita and sauted green beans.

      Reply
      • Amina Al-Saigh says

        March 04, 2023 at 4:46 am

        Haha I love that! Bussin! My recipe is officially cool enough for your son, that's just perfect. 🙂 Thanks for sharing the Instant Pot method, super helpful!

        Reply
    8. Robyn says

      October 09, 2022 at 3:51 pm

      5 stars
      This is a family favorite! I love all the warm spices- smells so yummy cooking! I also love that it makes a large amount if we have a guest visiting or for leftovers. I think I will start using closer to 1.5 lbs/680 grams of chicken (plus extra spices) because everyone takes so much of the delicious chicken and then there is a ton of yellow rice left, which is still good of course! Lol

      Reply
      • Amina Al-Saigh says

        October 15, 2022 at 6:04 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe Robyn! And for sure, making extra chicken is always a great idea!

        Reply
    9. Kristin says

      September 12, 2022 at 1:07 am

      5 stars
      This was a wonderful meal- The whole family loved it! I look forward to trying your other recipes!

      Reply
      • Amina Al-Saigh says

        September 17, 2022 at 6:32 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it Kristin! Thanks for the review!

        Reply
    10. Kristin says

      September 10, 2022 at 12:23 pm

      5 stars
      My picky family has been trying to cook different cuisines, and this seemed like a good pick for middle eastern....so yummy!!!! I used smoked paprika tahini in the sauce and it was delicious!!!

      Reply
      • Amina Al-Saigh says

        September 17, 2022 at 6:38 pm

        So wonderful to hear, Kristin! Thanks for the feedback!

        Reply
    11. Kat Tedford says

      August 16, 2022 at 8:34 pm

      Your recipe are AMAZING!!! Thank you so much for sharing these with us! Making this one next week for our dinner!! So packed with flavor and simplistic!!!

      Reply
      • Amina Al-Saigh says

        August 27, 2022 at 7:54 am

        Thanks so much for the wonderful feedback Kat!

        Reply
    12. Nancy says

      July 24, 2022 at 8:49 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of my family’s favorite meals! So flavorful! I love that it uses on-hand ingredient and makes a large amount- perfect for leftovers or if guests stop by! I don’t make the white sauce but may try it in the future. (We use a similar store-bought sauce). I’ve already shared with several friends!

      Reply
    13. Melissa says

      July 05, 2022 at 9:45 pm

      5 stars
      Dude. This. Was. Amazing!!! I followed the recipe exactly but I really should have doubled because I can't stop sneaking bites! Don't skip on the tahini, it makes the sauce more rich and delicious 😍

      Reply
      • Amina Al-Saigh says

        August 07, 2022 at 4:07 am

        Haha I can totally relate Melissa!! I am obsessed too! So glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    14. Anh Do says

      June 03, 2022 at 5:48 am

      5 stars
      It was my first time trying out your very-thorough recipe and my family enjoyed it so, so much. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!!

      Reply
      • Amina Al-Saigh says

        June 07, 2022 at 4:57 pm

        So glad to hear that Anh, thanks for the review!

        Reply
    15. Lucie Rivet says

      April 25, 2022 at 1:22 am

      5 stars
      Ver simple and delicious! Family loved it 🙂

      Reply
      • Amina Al-Saigh says

        April 29, 2022 at 3:53 am

        So glad you all enjoyed it!

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    ABOUT ME

    Hi friend! I'm Amina, a wife and busy mother of two. And I know you're super busy too. I'm here to help you figure out dinner for your family with my easy, quick, and Middle Eastern inspired recipes. Hope you enjoy your stay - and please - have a look around and get in touch!

    FIND OUT MORE

    Ramadan Recipes

    45 degree view of Green plate with rice, lentils and caramelized onions, chopped cucumbers and peppers with mint on top, on a dark green tiled background, the end of a spoon on the plate and some mint leaves in the top corner

    One Pot Mujadara (Middle Eastern Lentils and Rice)

    Orange-brown bowl filled with labneh topped with slivered almonds, parsley, with pita at the side, olive oil bottle, chilli flakes, parsley and lemon at the side

    How to Make Labneh at Home (5 minutes!)

    beef shawarma served in a green bowl with onion slices and chopped parlsey, along with bowls of tomato, tahini sauce, onions, pickles and pita bread

    Tender Beef Shawarma (Quick Stovetop Method)

    Harira soup served in a bowl, garnished with parsley with a spoon inside. A pot of soup in the top corner and another bowl in the bottom corner.

    Easy Moroccan Harira Soup

    Lamb kabsa served on a white platter with a silver spoon, surrounded by glasses of water and bowls of yogurt.

    Fragrant Lamb Kabsa (10 min prep time!)

    White ceramic bowl with a heaping serving of Fattet Hummus, served with a silver spoon and small bowls of garnish

    30 Minute Fattet Hummus (Using Canned Chickpeas!)

    Popular Recipes

    Crispy Kunafa served on a round plate, garnished with pistachios.

    Kunafa Recipe with Mozzarella Cheese (Easy!)

    Quzi which is lamb shanks served over yellow rice with almonds and raisins

    Quzi (Authentic Iraqi Lamb over Rice)

    cheese manakish served on a tray with tea cups

    Manakish with Cheese and Za'atar

    iraqi dolma served in a blue patterned plate

    Iraqi Dolma (Middle Eastern Stuffed Vegetables)

    Hashweh rice served in a platter garnished with almonds, raisins and parsley

    Hashweh Rice (Arabic Rice with ground beef)

    Maqluba served in a platter garnished with almonds and parsley. Forks, water cups, a plate with almonds in it, and a bowl with cucumber and yogurt is on the right top side of the frame

    Maqluba (Makloubeh) with Lamb (Arabic rice dish)

    Copyright © 2023 Hungry Paprikas · Support by Foodie Digital

    11399 shares