Yogurt-Marinated Chicken with Spiced Rice and Roasted Veggies

Transport your taste buds to the Middle East with this vibrant and deeply satisfying dish. Tender chicken is marinated in yogurt and warm spices, then seared to golden perfection. It’s served alongside fragrant basmati rice studded with dried cherries and pistachios, plus a medley of roasted vegetables and crispy chickpeas.

The crowning glory is a garlicky white sauce that ties everything together. This recipe is bursting with flavor and texture, making it a memorable meal for any night of the week.

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Ingredients

2 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 ounce YogurtView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Shawarma Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Chicken CutletsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

13.4 ounce ChickpeasView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce CilantroView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 ounce PistachiosView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce Grape TomatoesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 ounce Dried CherriesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Basmati RiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Mince the garlic. In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, 1 tablespoon olive oil, half the garlic, 1 teaspoon shawarma spice, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Add chicken and turn to coat. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, halve, peel, and cut the red onion into ½-inch-thick wedges. Mince enough onion wedges to get 2 tablespoons. Drain and rinse chickpeas; pat very dry with paper towels. Chop cilantro leaves and stems. Roughly chop pistachios.
3. On a baking sheet, toss onion wedges, chickpeas, and tomatoes with a drizzle of olive oil, 1 teaspoon shawarma spice, salt, and pepper. Roast until chickpeas are crispy and veggies are tender, about 20 minutes, tossing halfway through.
4. In a small pot, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add dried cherries, minced onion, half the pistachios, remaining shawarma spice, and a pinch of salt. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in rice, ¾ cup water, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until tender, 15–18 minutes. Keep covered off heat.
5. While rice cooks, heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Cook until browned and cooked through, 6–8 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board; let rest, then slice crosswise.
6. In a small bowl, combine sour cream and remaining garlic to taste. Add water 1 teaspoon at a time until drizzling consistency. Season with salt. Fluff rice with a fork; stir in 1 tablespoon butter, half the cilantro, salt, and pepper. Divide rice among plates, top with chicken and veggies. Drizzle with sauce and garnish with remaining pistachios and cilantro.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Medium bowl

DOWAN 22 OZ White Ceramic Bowls Set of 4 - Perfect for Soup Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl, Ramen Bowl, Microwave Safe for Oatmeal, Fruit,Salad and Rice Bowl - Dishwasher & Microwave SafeView on AmazonMASTERCOOK Plastic Bowls Set of 6 – 15oz Multipurpose Deep Plates Salad and Pasta Bowls Ideal for Home, Kids, Parties – Stackable Bowl for Kitchen – Non-BPA and Food Grade – Cute ColorsView on AmazonMALACASA 26 OZ Porcelain Soup Bowls Set of 4, White Ceramic Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl for Oatmeal, Fruit, Salad, Ramen and Rice Bowl -Dishwasher & Microwave Safe BowlsView on Amazon

Paper towels

Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls (108 Sheets Per Roll)View on AmazonAmazon Basics 2-Ply Flex-Sheets Paper Towels, 12 Basics Rolls = 40 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value with 150 Sheets per Roll, Packaging May VaryView on AmazonBounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Triple Rolls = 27 Regular RollsView on Amazon

Baking sheet

GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set, 3 Pack Includes Small (13×9) Medium (15×1) and Large (17×11) Pans Carbon Steel Construction Cookie Sheets Bakeware Set, GrayView on AmazonNutriChef 3-Piece Nonstick Kitchen Oven Baking Pans - Premium & Stylish Non-Stick Steel, Commercial Grade Restaurant Quality Metal Bakeware with Red Silicone Handles - Easy to Clean, NCSBS3SView on AmazonNordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet - USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, Encapsulated Galvanized Steel Rim Prevents Warping, 2-PackView on Amazon

Small pot

SENSARTE Nonstick Saucepan with Lid, 1.5 Quarts Small Pot with Swiss Granite Coating, Stay-cool Handle, Multipurpose Handy Sauce Pot Small Kitchen Cooking Pot, Induction Comptable, PFOA FreeView on AmazonCuisinart 1.5 Quart Sauce Pan with Cover, Stainless Steel Pot with Lid, Small Kitchen Pots, Dishwasher Safe, Compatible with Induction, Electric, Gas Cooktops, Oven Safe Saucepan, Cool Grip HandlesView on AmazonCuisinart 8919-14 Professional Series 1-Quart Saucepan with Cover, Stainless Steel, Mirror FinishView on Amazon

Large nonstick pan

Tramontina Professional 14-Inch Non Stick Extra Large Frying Pan, Heavy-Gauge Aluminum Skillet with Reinforced Nonstick Coating, Red Handle, Dishwasher and Oven SafeView on AmazonSENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on Amazon

Small bowl

Kaytee Stoneware Ceramic Pet Hamster Bowl, Brown, 3-InchView on AmazonDipping Bowls, Soy Sauce Dish Ceramic, 3 OZ Small Serving Bowls for Side Dishes Vintage Blue Stylish Design, Set of 6 Mini Appetizer Plates for Condiment Sushi Ketchup BBQ Party, 4 InchView on AmazonFarielyn-X 3.5in 4oz Small Glass Bowls, Mini Glass Containers, Ramekins, Prep, Pinch Bowl, Stackable Condiment Containers, for Prep, Dips, Nuts, Snacks, Candy Meal Prep Bowls, Dessert BowlsView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?

Yes, this marinade works well with lamb, beef, or even firm tofu. Adjust cooking times accordingly.

What can I substitute for shawarma spice?

You can make your own blend with cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, and cardamom.

How do I store leftovers?

Store components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to avoid drying out the chicken.