If you’re into high protein and low carb, you’ve got to try these Halal Cart Chicken and Rice Bowls! The chicken is marinated in vibrant Middle Eastern flavors and served over a bed of rice with pickled red onions, veggies, and a drizzle of delicious white sauce.
Halal Cart-Style Chicken
It’s about time I shared with you my go-to halal cart style chicken and rice recipe. The flavors taste like they’re straight out of one of your favorite halal food carts, but without all the carbs!
Full of warm spices, fresh veggies, and drizzled with an addictively tangy white sauce, this rice bowl will satisfy all your street cart cravings, and then some.
Make it for meal prep, or serve it as an easy dinner for the family. Whatever the occasion, know that these halal cart chicken and rice bowls will be an instant crowd-pleaser — whether on a low-carb diet or not!
Why You’ll Love It
- The perfect way to enjoy the best street food on a low-carb diet.
- It’s easy to make ahead or meal prep for the week.
- The tangy white sauce is so good, you’ll want to put it on everything!
- An instant crowd-pleaser, no matter the occasion.
Featured Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs have great flavor and don’t overcook as easily as chicken breasts.
- Spice Blend: I used smoked paprika, garlic powder, sumac, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and ground black pepper to season the chicken.
- Plain Yogurt: Greek yogurt gives the chicken that signature Middle Eastern flair while balancing out all the spices.
- Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds brightness and acidity to the dish.
- Red Onion: Pickling the red onion adds some serious flavor.
- Sumac: A staple Middle Eastern spice that will take these flavors over the top!
- Iceberg Lettuce: Gives the recipe a bit of crunch and freshness.
- Tomato: Fresh tomato pairs wonderfully with the chicken and creamy white sauce.
- Mayonnaise: Mayo is used as the base of the addictive white sauce.
- White Vinegar: White vinegar is what makes the sauce tangy and vibrant.
- Kaizen Low-Carb Rice: This is my own brand, and biases aside, it’s the BEST.
Why Choose Kaizen?
My Kaizen Low-Carb Rice is a nutrient-dense alternative to traditional rice with lupin flour as the main ingredient. Made from lupini beans, Lupin flour is an ancient superfood that contains incredible macros and nutritional benefits.
With 20 grams of protein per 2-ounce serving and only 6 grams of net carbs, Kaizen low-carb rice is the perfect way for those following a low-carb diet to enjoy their favorite dishes.
Not only is this rice high in protein and fiber, but it’s also gluten-free, grain-free, and 100% plant-based. It offers a texture and flavor that other low-carb options just can’t match, making it an ideal addition to your pantry.
How to Make Halal Chicken Over Rice
The steps are simple, and I’m outlining them below, but be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to view the full, printable recipe card. You can also watch how it comes together in my Instagram reel!
STEP 1 – MARINATE CHICKEN
Dice chicken thighs and add to a bowl. Mix with the spice blend along with plain yogurt and juice of half a lemon.
Mix VERY well, then ideally let this marinate for 2 hours to overnight, but if you want to make it right away, you can.
STEP 2 – COOK
When ready to eat, bring a pan to medium heat, add avocado oil, then the chicken, and cook it through on medium heat for 10-12 minutes, mixing often with a spatula. Time may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken.
STEP 3 – PICKLE ONIONS
Next, cut a large red onion in half and thinly slice it. Add it to a small bowl, and sprinkle with 2-3 pinches salt, sumac, and juice of 1 large lemon.
Mix well, then let it sit for about 10-15 mins, stirring it a couple of times.
STEP 4 – PREP VEGGIES
Now it’s time to get your other veggies ready. Thinly slice iceberg lettuce, tomato, and finely chop some fresh parsley.
STEP 5 – MAKE WHITE SAUCE
In a separate small bowl, add mayo, sour cream, white vinegar, a small pinch of salt, and lots of fresh cracked pepper. Mix well.
STEP 6 – ASSEMBLE & SERVE
Finally, get your base ready. To keep this low carb, I used my Kaizen low-carb rice (just 6 net carbs + 20g protein per serving), but you can use rice, cauli rice, quinoa, or whatever you like.
I boiled my rice for 5 minutes in a mixture of salted water and chicken broth to add flavor. Drain it and set aside.
When rice is cooked, add a serving to the bowl, some chicken, then pile it high with lettuce, tomato, pickled onions, fresh herbs, and drizzle it up with the white sauce and hot sauce or sriracha.
ENJOY!
FAQ
What does halal white sauce taste like?
Halal white sauce is a bright and tangy condiment that is perfect for enhancing the flavors of a variety of dishes. Its creamy texture and slightly tart flavor add a sophisticated twist to an already delicious meal.
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, just keep in mind that chicken breast tends to be a bit drier than thighs, so you may need to add extra liquid to the recipe.
To get the best results, cook your chicken slightly above medium heat and remember not to overcook it. Check for doneness by cutting into one of the pieces and making sure there is no pink inside.
What is halal chicken?
Halal chicken is a type of poultry that has been slaughtered according to Islamic law. This process requires the bird to be killed in a humane manner, and all the blood must also be drained from the meat.
The procedure is overseen by a Muslim cleric to guarantee that all requirements are being met. Halal chicken can be prepared using various cooking methods, such as grilling, baking, or frying.
Of course, if you can’t get your hands on halal chicken, that’s totally okay! This recipe will still taste the same using regular chicken.
Storage
For longer storage, place any leftover rice, veggies, and halal cart-style chicken separately in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Joojeh Kabab (Persian Chicken Kabob Recipe)
- TikTok Salmon Bowl
- Oven Chuck Roast
- Pistachio Crusted Chicken
- Air Fryer Pasta Bake
Halal Cart Chicken and Rice Bowls
Full of warm spices, fresh veggies, and drizzled with an addictively tangy white sauce, these Halal Cart Chicken and Rice Bowls will satisfy all your street cart cravings, and then some!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs, diced
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon sumac
- 1/2 tablespoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- a few pinches of salt
- fresh cracked pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
- juice of 1 ½ lemons
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced
- 1 tomato, thinly sliced
- fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons mayo
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar
- 8 oz. Kaizen low-carb rice
- hot sauce or sriracha
Instructions
- Dice chicken thighs and add to a bowl. Mix with the spice blend along with plain yogurt and juice of half a lemon. Mix VERY well, then ideally let this marinate for 2 hours to overnight, but if you want to make it right away, you can.
- Bring a pan to medium heat, add avocado oil, then the chicken, and cook it through on medium heat for 10-12 minutes, mixing often with a spatula. Time may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken.
- Cut a large red onion in half and thinly slice it. Add it to a small bowl, and sprinkle with 2-3 pinches salt, sumac, and juice of 1 large lemon. Mix well, then let it sit for about 10-15 mins, stirring it a couple of times.
- Thinly slice iceberg lettuce, tomato, and finely chop some fresh parsley.
- In a separate small bowl, add mayo, sour cream, white vinegar, a small pinch of salt, and lots of fresh cracked pepper. Mix well.
- Cook your rice. I boiled my Kaizen low-carb rice for 5 minutes in a mixture of salted water & chicken broth to add flavor.
- Add a serving of rice to the bowl, some chicken, then pile it high with lettuce, tomato, pickled onions, fresh herbs, and drizzle it up with the white sauce and hot sauce or sriracha. Enjoy!
Notes
For longer storage, place any leftover rice, veggies, and halal cart-style chicken separately in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
