“Easy” often feels like a misnomer when it comes to Middle Eastern dishes so my goal with these items was to find things you could truly make easily. These fifteen recipes require very little hands on time; they’re either made in 30 minutes or less, in a single pan, or assembled quickly.

Easy One Pot Ground Lamb and Couscous

Lamb and couscous are both traditionally items that take a long time to cook but this recipe cuts down that time in a big way! If you don’t have ground lamb accessible go ahead and use ground beef or ground turkey instead. It’s also great eaten as leftovers as the flavors get even more time to combine.

Veggie Hummus Wrap

This is an incredibly fast recipe for a quick dinner or lunch. You can make your own hummus (recipe included) or go ahead and use store bought hummus to make it even faster to prepare. I think this would make a good lunchbox choice for kids too who can pick what they want to include in their wraps.

Roasted Carrot Soup with Red Lentils

This recipe takes slightly longer to make as the carrots are roasted to bring out their natural flavors. That being said nearly all the cooking time is hands off and the spices can be adjusted how you like them; add a little more heat or reduce it if you’ll be feeding little ones as well. You also can leave this with some whole lentil pieces or puree it to be a smooth soup.

Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Apricots

This recipe really isn’t authentic (coming from a Moroccan point of view) but it is tasty and best of all it’s quick to make! The recipe also includes some substitutions and ideas you can use to make this recipe your own. Use a pressure cooker to make this even faster and ensure the meat is tender.

Lamb Koftas with Sour Cherry Sauce and Pistachios

This fast meatball recipe can be paired with rice or filled in sandwiches for a tasty Persian treat. If ground lamb isn’t your thing use ground beef or ground turkey instead. With just 45 minutes to prepare start to finish they’re a great option – or make the meatballs smaller and reduce the cook time a bit more.

Bamya Middle Eastern Okra Stew

Need a delicious Middle Eastern vegetarian main dish in 30 minutes? This is the recipe for you! Fresh okra is used in this recipe though you can also use frozen okra as well. I’d suggest sticking as close to the cooking time as possible as the longer this cooks the more the okra breaks down leaving an often undesirable texture.

Chicken with Cumin, Tahini, Lemon and Burnt Onions

This recipe looks delicious – and complex so will you believe me when I say it takes just 30 minutes to make from start to finish? I also happen to love the recipe uses chicken breasts because my kids won’t touch dark meat. Pair it with one of these great Arabic rice dishes and you’ve got yourself a meal!

Vegan Lamajoun

I love the original lamajoun so this recipe is also exciting – especially because it’s super fast to make and could easily be made ahead for a lunch. Not to mention it’s customizable based on your tastes or your picky kids. This recipe uses simple tortillas for the bread but if you have access to pita bread or lavash I think it would be even tastier.

Chickpea Shawarma Wrap

Roasted chickpeas are not only delicious but quick to make and full of protein. Instead of making meat shawarma this recipe uses chickpeas to create a tasty meal. Pair it with a salad or rice dish for a full meal – or eat them alone packed with vegetables.

Turkish Noodles with Garlic Yogurt

With just a few ingredients – that you likely have in your fridge and cabinet you can whip up this dish in 30 minutes. Noodles, ground beef and a to die for garlic yogurt sauce it’s a little bit of everything good! Leave out the meat or swap in crumbled, spiced tofu for a vegetarian option.

Roasted Eggplant with Tahini

A simple vegetarian dish that will please even the meat eaters in your family! This recipe takes about 40 minutes but almost all of that is hands-off cook time while the eggplant is in the oven. You can eat it alone, pair with a rice dish or salad.

Instant Pot Pomegranate Molasses Chicken

Truthfully I didn’t know you could make something that looks this good in an instant pot! There’s a lovely mix of spices in this recipe and everything is done in your instant pot – meaning you’ve got very minimal clean up. I also think it would be an amazing picnic or potluck dish!

I hope that you’ll enjoy adding some of these Middle Eastern flavors to your meal plan and can appreciate how quick and easy they’ll get on your table!

Za’ what?

Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice that I have fallen head over heels in love with. Seriously.

There are no single way to make za’atar because it’s a spice mix but the basic ingredients include ground dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, or some combination of, mixed with toasted sesame seeds, and salt. Sometimes sumac is added, sometimes other spices.

BUT it’s delicious.

Personally I’m a fan of just eating it with bread and olive oil but if you are looking for more ways to use it, check out these recipes!

Labneh Za’atar Toast

A prefect anytime snack or savory breakfast this toast is delicious (and easy!) I love savory breakfasts and this is something I’d happily eat any day. Use cream cheese or labneh, ricotta or even marscapone cheese would be great too!

Za’atar Chicken with Charred Lemon and Roasted Turnips

Za’atar Fekkas

Fekkas are a type of Moroccan cookie that are typically slightly sweet. In this recipe I used the same baking technique but substituted za’atar seasoning to create a savory cracker. They’re great alone or on a cheese board!

Chicken Kebabs with Za’atar

Want a way to make your chicken kebabs stand out? Use za’atar seasoning! This recipe is not only easy but full of flavor too. You could easily add a rice dish along side the kebabs for a more filling meal or stick with a lighter salad.

Za’atar Ras al Hanout Chicken Spinach Dinner

Normally I wouldn’t choose these spices to go together as they’re quite strong on their own but the more I considered it the more I could see how the flavors would play well with each other. I also love this kind of recipe that lets you experiment a little with how much of specific spices you like.

Grilled Za’atar Beef Kabobs

Need an easy weeknight meal? This is perfect! Lots of flavors but also plenty of very recognizable ingredients make it a good choice for families. I love this recipe because not only is it easy but she gives cooking time instructions for different levels of “done-ness” AND tips for how you can get your kids in the kitchen to help prepare these.

Now you’re wondering ok where do I even get Za’atar?? Here’s my favorite that you can easily order on Amazon;

Za’atar by Z&Z

If you have a Mediterranean or Middle Eastern store nearby chances are good they also will carry za’atar. If you won’t use it all right away put it in a freezer safe bag and pop it in the freezer to extend the shelf life!

We buy a lot of rice in our house – especially since MarocBaba was diagnosed with celiac disease and our wheat intake had to be cut way back. While many Asian cultures are known for being heavy on rice, a LOT of Middle Eastern recipes also use rice either in the main dish or as a side dish.

I put together these recipes to share some a variety of rice dishes that you can serve alone or along side your main dish. Many of these can easily be reheated or have a “hands off” cooking option.

Happy rice eating!

Instant Pot Mujadara Lentils and Rice

Normally whenever I make this dish it requires multiple pans, lots of cooking time and a mess to clean up at the end. That’s why when I found this recipe from The Belly Rules it was a breath of fresh air. You can make this in the instant pot! Plus she has directions on how to cook the onions oil free if you want to lighten things up. Win, win!

Shirin Polo with Raisins or Persian Sweet Rice

We used to go to this Persian restaurant in Washington DC and you would get three different kinds of rice with your main meal – this was always my favorite because I loved the variety of flavors. Full disclaimer I also hate raisins but in this it just works. This recipe from Family Spice is easy to make and your family or guests will think you’ve spent a long time making something this tasty!

Kabuli Pulao

Afghani food is one of my favorites and this pulao is always a favorite dish. You can serve it as a side dish by omitting the chicken or make it an all in one dish by including it. You’ll need to use both the stovetop and the oven for this dish and a heavy dutch oven is your best choice for keeping things as simple as possible. This recipe from Rhubarbarians is a great one to give it a try.

Easy Lebanese Rice with Vermicelli

With only three ingredients this is a very simple rice dish to make as a side dish. Personally I always think of this dish as a Middle Eastern Rice-a-Roni but better! Start to finish it only takes 40 minutes to make and most of that is hands off time. Try Unicorns in the Kitchens‘ take on this classic Lebanese recipe.

Egyptian Koshari

This Egyptian dish is a really popular street food. It’s also carb-city in the most delicious way. The dish is entirely vegetarian while also having protein from the lentils and chickpeas as well as lots of flavor from the spicy sauce that tops it off. It’s a good, economical meal or even side dish. There are a few components needed to make this so do make sure you have the cookware you’ll need. Also don’t skimp on the caramelized onions!

Bulgur Pilaf

Bulgar is a very popular grain in the Middle East that has a great nutty taste and is easy to cook. It is a wheat product that works well in a lot of different formats. This recipe from Live Eat Learn uses bulgur plus vegetables to create a pilaf however you can easily substitute rice for the bulgur and still have a great result.

Persian Herb Rice with Fish – Sabzi Pulao Mahi

This Iranian dish is popular during Nowruz – a celebration at the beginning of spring when a lot of symbolic dishes are cooked and eaten. The rice itself has a lot of herbs mixed in to create the flavors of spring while the fish can be pan fried or baked depending on how you like your fish prepared. Total prep and cooking time for this recipe from Caroline’s Cooking is under 60 minutes making it a great dinner or party choice.

Saudi Arabian Kabsa

Kabsa is a popular dish across the Middle East and is full of a variety of flavors both in the rice as well as the chicken. This Saudi Arabian version looks complex however a quick read through the steps and you’ll be on your way to creating some delicious!

Easy Golden Rice Pilaf

This is a really simple rice side dish that you can pair with just about anything. Typically this dish is made using saffron but we all know how expensive saffron can be so feel free to substitute turmeric to save a little cash and still get that beautiful golden color. This recipe from What a Girl Eats also uses pine nuts but if you don’t have access or they’re out of your price range, diced almonds are a good substitute too.

Lebanese Hashweh Ground Beef and Rice

Typically this dish is made using pieces of lamb but that can take added time, not to mention lamb isn’t a meat everyone has access to or enjoys. Instead this recipe from Two Sleevers uses ground beef and can be prepared in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. What’s better than a main dish or side dish that is mostly hands off? Not much in my world!

Looking for an Arabic chicken main dish to add with your rice? I have some great ones for you too!

I started putting together a Moroccan snack board and realized that I wanted to include something that would be a little different but that I couldn’t buy in the store.

Fekkas meanwhile are Moroccan. I first came to know them many, many years ago when they were served with tea. Fekkas are a type of cookie/biscuit that is slightly sweet. They have nuts in them, usually almonds and sometimes raisins as well.

They are a lot like Italian biscotti in that they are double baked, which is what makes them dry and crunchy. This is where the inspiration for these came from – I wanted to create a savory fekkas that would be perfect for my board!

What is Za’atar?

Za’atar is not as common in Morocco as it is in the Middle East. Typically when someone says “za’atar” in Morocco they are referring to dried thyme. However, in the Middle East it is more complex. Families have their own blends and combinations to make it their own.

Some of the ingredients can include; ground dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, which is then mixed with toasted sesame seeds, and salt. Sometimes sumac is also added.

Where to Buy Za’atar

The very best za’atar I’ve ever had was given to be as a gift from my friend Amnah in Jordan. It came from Palestine and the flavor is so incredible. I haven’t tried making my own but I did purchase one online from Amazon this summer to test out for this recipe.

The flavor was equally complex (though not quite as good as the gifted za’atar) and I can highly recommend it. Unless you’re using it a lot, the jar should last you quite awhile.

Za’atar by Z&Z

Don’t just stop with making these crackers though. You can mix the za’atar with olive oil for a dip. Toss it on as a “pizza” topping (za’atar is a common topping for manakish bread in Jordan/Palestine/Lebanon.

Once you’ve got your ingredients it’s time to get baking!

Za'atar Fekkas

Yield: 60 crackers

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Additional Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes

These crackers are the perfect savory addition to a snack board or stand alone treat.

Print

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups of flour (+ 1/2 cup in case)
• 3 eggs
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3 heaping teaspoons za'atar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F.

1. Mix together the dry ingredients in a large bowl and set to the side.

2. In a smaller bowl add the wet ingredients and mix. Then combine the wet ingredients with the dry.

3. Use your hands until everything is in a ball. Knead slightly, just until everything is combined but do not over knead.

4. Divide the dough into 4 equal parts and roll into a long snake about 1 1/2" thick.

5. Grease the logs with olive oil and place on a non-stick baking sheet.

6. Place logs onto the baking sheet once pre-heated and bake for 15-20 minutes until the outside of the logs are just beginning to brown. They should still be soft.

7. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

8. Slice the logs once cooled into 1/4-1/2" slices and arrange on a baking sheet for the final bake.

9. Bake until brown and completely firm. The time will depend on how thick you've sliced the pieces.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Za'atar by Z&Z (Zaatar/Zatar/Zahtar) – Eat. Good. Za'atar, 3.25oz – Middle Eastern Spice Mix you can Snack on
• 
  Za'atar by Z&Z (Zaatar/Zatar/Zahtar) – Eat. Good. Za'atar, 3.25oz – Middle Eastern Spice Mix you can Snack on

In one of my “falling down a rabbit hole while scrolling Pinterest” adventures I came across a recipe for an Arabian taco.

So you can imagine the idea of an Arabian taco had me expecting a shawarma as a taco-imposter. But, I was wrong – sort of. Being the good student I always was I started digging to find out what this was all about.

Tacos arabes come from Puebla in Mexico. But, like all good food origin stories, it’s a grab bag of answers when it comes to how they actually came to be. 

Lebanese immigrants began to settle in Mexico in large numbers at the end of the 19th century. A second wave of immigration happened in the late 1940’s as they were leaving during the Lebanon-Israel War and 6 Day War. Interestingly the vast majority of Lebanese immigrants to Mexico were Maronite Christians who practiced their own version of Christianity alongside Mexican Catholics. 

Of course they also brought their food traditions with them – and this is where Arabian tacos were born. 

Sometimes these are called Mexican shawarma but they’re much more than that. It started with the “meat on a spit” tradition shawarma is known for but with the introduction of Mexican ingredients merged into something new. Lamb (shawarma’s typical meat) was expensive so pork became the meat of choice. Cumin and oregano make up much of the flavor profile of the original version and the pita wrap has been replaced with tortillas in some cases. 

When I finally came up from this rabbit hole expedition my mouth was watering. I HAD to make these! But having neither tortillas or pita on hand I decided to use a Moroccan msemmen which while a little thicker than I might have liked was delicious! You can wrap the meat up in whatever you want. I also changed the recipe to use chicken but I think it would work with any meat. 

Make sure you marinade the meat though – that’s what really makes the flavors come through! 

Chicken Tacos Arabes Recipe

Yield: 6-8 small tacos

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Tacos arabes from Puebla were created by Lebanese immigrants and are a delicious mix of Middle Eastern and Mexican flavors.

Print

Ingredients

Chicken

• 3-4 chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves crushed
• 1 Tablespoon za'atar
• 1 Tbsp oregano
• 1 Tbsp cumin
• 1 tsp liquid smoke

Chipotle Sauce

• 1 7 or 8oz can chipotle peppers
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp za'atar
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 cup sour cream (or plain, thick yogurt)
• juice of a lime
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• water

Yogurt Sauce

• 1 cup plain, thick yogurt
• 1 Tbsp lime juice
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp parsley
• 2 garlic cloves
• salt and pepper to taste

• sliced avocados
• raw onions
• cilantro
• lime wedges
• tortillas or pita bread

Instructions

• Slice or cube the chicken into pieces of a similar size, it doesn't matter which way you do it you just need them to be uniform so they cook at the same time.
• Mix all of the marinade ingredients with the meat and put into the refrigerator to marinade at least 30 minutes up to overnight.

• Heat oven to 475F, you want the meat to cook fast and hopefully get some char too. The chicken can also be grilled if you have access.
• Skewer the chicken so that it is not bunched up, you want to cook it through as quickly as possible. If you don't have skewers you can lay the pieces flat in a baking pan.
• Place into the oven and rotate regularly, until meat is cooked.
• Set meat aside until you're ready to eat.

Chipotle Sauce

• Place everything into a blender or food processor and mix. Add more or less water to adjust the thickness you'd like. The flavors will get stronger the longer it sits.

Yogurt Sauce

• Combine the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Refrigerate. I think it tastes better when it's sat for a few hours.

Assemble your tacos with your bread base, meat, and toppings. You could also make this into a grain/rice bowl really easily!

Notes

I knew I would be making this in the oven so that is why I included liquid smoke. It gives a taste of a the grill without actually grilling the meat.

I also substituted harissa sauce for the chipotle peppers in the sauce recipe and it worked great!

For my final tacos I wrapped them up with Moroccan msemmen instead of tortillas or pita and it was DELICIOUS!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Goya Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
• 
  Savory Za'atar and Olive Oil Condiment
• 
  Ziyad Green Za'atar
• 
  Liquid Smoke, Natural Hickory
• 
  12-Inch Long Stainless Steel Skewers
• 
  Kabob Rack for Grill Oven

I am always looking for new recipes for my family and chicken is always the protein of choice in our house. Truthfully I think my kids have gotten a bit tired of Moroccan food and so branching out is a must. We are big fans of food from the rest of the region and the further Middle East. While I was making a list of foods we loved I came up with these Arabic chicken recipes that we think you’ll like too.

I tried to choose recipes that represent multiple countries across North Africa and the Middle East. I’ve left off Turkish and Persian dishes because…they’re not Arabic countries or cultures, even though it’s all lumped together often times.

These 10 easy Middle Eastern chicken recipes are going to change up your chicken game!

Saudi Arabian Chicken Kabsa Recipe

Chicken kabsa is a popular traditional dish from Saudi Arabia – sometimes considered THE national dish of the country. It is also known by the name of makbus. There are variations of this dish made in the areas around Saudi Arabia as well. What makes this dish really special is the use and combination of spices that flavor the chicken and the rice.

Take the dish up a bit with the addition of daqqus, an Arabic tomato sauce that can be made spicy if you like. Kabsa rice is easy to make and can be reheated if you make a big batch by placing into the oven, covering with aluminum foil and slowly warming up.

Palestinian Musakhan

Palestinian chicken musakhan is a delicious and fun addition to any dinner table. Don’t be scared off by the steps, the flavor pays off in the end. This is a great way to save some money too as it uses chicken legs, though you could swap for any cut of meat that you like. The ingredients in this dish are all easy to get in the region though if you’re living elsewhere it may require a little bit of effort. This dish is a favorite for kids.

Why?

You get to eat with your hands!

recipe and photo from Global Table Adventure

Moroccan Chicken Tagine

I wouldn’t say this recipe is super authentic but it is delicious! For example in traditional Moroccan cooking we rarely combine garlic and onion in a dish, it’s usually one or the other. Also in Morocco you’d never eat a tagine with couscous or rice on the side – it’s always bread that’s used to gobble up all the goodness! That being said, the flavors in this dish are really yummy and you probably have everything in the recipe on hand in your kitchen.

recipe from Modest Munchies

Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma Recipe

My middle son absolutely adores chicken shawarma and living where we do it’s easy enough to pop outside and buy a sandwich. But, they’re not always the healthiest and I can’t really control the quality or what’s in them. Instead I love making this dish at home.

It’s also turned out to be a REALLY popular dish for potlucks and gatherings. If you’re wondering what to make with chicken shawarma there’s no limit! Make up a big batch of the meat, put it out with different toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, pickles to name a few and then whip up some shawarma garlic sauce and you’re all set to party!

Iraqi Yellow Spice Rubbed Chicken

The Arabic name for this dish is Djaj bil-Bahar Il-Asfar and it makes for a fantastic summer grilled chicken recipe. When you want to really up your grill game – go for this! The spice blend on this chicken is what really makes it special and it does require a few specialty items you might not have in your pantry. You can leave them off but know the recipe won’t be quite the same. When I made this I added a bit of olive oil to the spice paste and popped it in the fridge overnight. Drool worthy!

recipe and photo from Saveur

Syrian Fattet Djej

Get ready to go crazy for this dish! Basically there is nothing wrong with this meal – what’s not to love when you combine chicken, fried pita bread, rice, and a garlicky yogurt/lime sauce? Best of all, there’s a shortcut if you don’t have the time to cook a whole chicken to add to the dish – rotisserie chicken works too. Make this when the rice and chicken are warm and eat immediately because it really can’t be reheated. Don’t worry you won’t have any leftovers to heat up anyway!

Copycat Halal Cart Chicken and Rice

I made this dish for the first time recently after having it saved on Pinterest for months. I don’t know why I waited so long. My family LOVES this dish. So much so that my husband has asked me to add it to the weekly meal plan.

My kids gobble it up and ask for seconds and thirds. I like it because honestly, it’s really easy to make! While you should marinade the chicken for 2+ hours I’ve left it for just 15-30 minutes and it’s still very good. Whatever you do, DO NOT skip making the yogurt sauce topping, it really makes the dish.

recipe and photo from Mideats

Instant Pot Mediterranean Chicken and Rice

For those of us who are really short on time but still want to put something delicious on the table, this recipe might be just want you’re looking for. Not only is it super fast, you’re going to have minimal dishes to wash from cooking! It is a great use of an instapot for dinner.

Make the recipe once and then adjust based on your tastes. Add more hot peppers if you’d rather a bit of a kick, or mix in some toasted nuts when it’s complete for added texture. There are dozens of variations you could make!

recipe and photo from Happily Hafsa

Easy Middle Eastern Recipes to try

There’s a myth that all Middle Eastern recipes are time consuming and difficult to make but this isn’t true. Thanks to lots of short cuts we now have it’s never been easier!

Check out this post (linked above) where I have 12 awesome Middle Eastern recipes that take 45 minutes or less. Some can be done in your Instant Pot, others are single pan meals, or simply require assembly.

Mulukhyia with Chicken Recipe

This dish might be hard to get your kids to eat if they’re not big on “green” foods but it’s extremely popular in the Levant. The stew portion is made from a leafy vegetable called nalta jute that grows in the region – it’s similar to spinach.

Historically speaking this dish is OLD dating back to the pharaohs of Egypt and was prized because of its health benefits. You can make it with any kind of meat on the side. This recipe uses beef but has instructions for substituting chicken.

recipe and photo from Chef in Disguise

Algerian Chicken with Olives

This Algerian tagine is similar to the Moroccan version but it’s not the same dish. The ingredients are very simple and a great way to use herbs and spices – I especially love the inclusion of thyme. You could very easily make this dish on a weeknight and include or swap some other vegetables that you have on hand.

recipe and video from The Teal Tadjine

Middle Eastern Rice Dishes

We never used to eat much rice but once MarocBaba was diagnosed with celiac disease that changed. So now we’re always looking for great rice dishes. There’s a wide variety of main dishes that include rice as well as great rice side dishes to pair with your meal.