Description
This Lemon Herb Chicken Shawarma Casserole is a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish that combines tender chicken, aromatic spices, and fragrant herbs with fluffy basmati rice, topped with a creamy Greek yogurt sauce and fresh vegetables. Baked to perfection, it’s a satisfying one-pan meal that is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Casserole:
- 2 cups basmati rice, rinsed
- 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
For Topping:
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup chopped tomato
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Chicken: In a bowl, coat chicken with olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, spices, salt, and pepper.
- Sear Chicken: Sear chicken in a skillet until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
- Cook Onion and Rice: In the same skillet, cook onion and garlic. Add rice and cook briefly. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Assemble Casserole: Return chicken to skillet, cover, and bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Let the casserole rest, then fluff rice and top with Greek yogurt, parsley, feta, cucumber, and tomato before serving.
Notes
- For a creamier topping, mix Greek yogurt with lemon and garlic powder before serving.
- This dish pairs well with warm pita bread or hummus on the side.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
