Halal Cart-Style Chicken Bowls

This halal cart-style harissa chicken and yellow rice bowl is ready in 30 minutes!

Halal cart-style yellow rice makes an excellent base for my juicy harissa chicken bowls. They’re so quick and easy that they’re perfect for any busy weeknight. The yellow rice is fluffy and earthy, while the chicken is bursting with spicy, sweet flavor. Top it all with a creamy, herby yogurt sauce, and it’s like you’re on the streets of Greece!

We love this yellow rice, and it’s so easy to make. I often double it to help me with meal prep for the week. It stays fresh in the fridge for several days and warms up on the stovetop in seconds. The same goes for the harissa chicken. It’s really easy to reheat in a pan on the stovetop or in the air fryer, but it even tastes good cold! So, try doubling both for a quick weeknight meal to have on hand.

Why will I want to double this?

Earthy, garlicky

Pillowy rice,

 Spicy, sweet

Tart, earthy

Bright, smoky

Juicy chicken,

Topped with

Tangy, creamy,

Fresh sauce.

What are the ingredients for harissa chicken?

Chicken tenders -tenders are the perfect size for the bowls, but I also use boneless chicken thighs when I have them.

Olive oil -I use good quality, full flavor extra virgin olive oil for the best tasting marinade.

Balsamic vinegar -adds a ton of tangy sweetness to the chicken.

Honey -Greek honey is my favorite, but you can use whatever you have to add more sweetness to balance out the spicy harissa sauce.

Harissa sauce -I love Mina Harissa sauce. I use the mild version, so it’s not too spicy for the kids, but it still has a spicy red pepper flavor and is never bitter. If you want to make homemade harissa sauce, here’s my recipe!

Garlic cloves -grated or minced to melt into the marinade.

Salt -to elevate all the flavors of the marinade.

Ground cumin -adds a warm, earthy flavor.

Ground coriander -brightens the spices with citrus.

Sweet paprika -adds a bit of fruity sweetness. I’m not a fan of smoked paprika, but use it if you like it.

What seasonings do I need for yellow rice?

Garlic cloves -grated or minced to flavor every bite of rice.

Olive oil -you can stick with your full flavor extra virgin olive oil to build flavor in the rice.

Rice -I used Carolina rice in my video, but you can also use basmati rice.

Chicken broth -I like to use chicken broth for the additional seasoning, but vegetable broth or water will be good, too.

Salt -I like to add this before cooking the rice so it absorbs all the flavors in the liquid while cooking. It keeps you from having to add more salt when it’s finished cooking.

Ground cumin -adds the same warm, earthy flavor to the rice as to the chicken.

Ground turmeric -gives the rice it’s beautiful yellow color.

What do I need to make a Greek white sauce?

Greek yogurt -a great base with a lot of tang.

Mayonnaise -balances the flavor of the Greek yogurt and adds a creaminess to the sauce.

White vinegar -lemon juice or white balsamic adds even more flavor if you have them.

Garlic clove -grated or minced to mix into the sauce well.

Salt & freshly cracked black pepper -the seasoning duo that brings the sauce together.

Fresh dill -finely chopped to add the most refreshing herby flavor.

How long do I marinate the chicken?

Place the chicken in a large bowl and add all of the marinade ingredients. Toss together to coat and set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.

How do I make the rice?

Rinse the rice in cold water and then soak it for 15 minutes. Drain and add the garlic and oil to a pot. Warm through until fragrant. Add the drained rice, salt, cumin, turmeric, and broth. Mix well and bring to a boil.

How long do I cook the rice?

Reduce to a simmer and cover the pot with the lid. Simmer for 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and keep warm until the chicken is ready.

How do I make the sauce?

Combine all of the White Sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk together. Transfer the sauce to a squeeze bottle and refrigerate until ready to serve.

How do I cook the chicken in the air fryer?

Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F and add the chicken strips to the basket in an even layer. Try not to overcrowd them so that they cook evenly. Cook the chicken for about 18 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 °F.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

The chicken can also be cooked on the BBQ grill or the stovetop in a cast-iron skillet until it reaches 165 °F.

How do I serve Halal Cart-Style Chicken Bowls?

I like to serve the chicken over the rice with lots of white sauce and a green salad on the side. You could even put out some pickles and spicy siracha sauce to serve it like they do at the halal carts. Kali Orexi!

Do you have more recipes from a cart?

Ha! I love to recreate the fun and delicious food we have on the streets. Another halal cart-style meal I have on my channel is Delicious & Healthy Chicken Shawarma & Rice Bowls. I recreated the Beef Souvlaki Skewers I grew up getting on the streets of New York, and I’ve even seen Beef Shawarma trucks set up in strategic places. If you’ve ever been to a big festival in America or on the streets of Greece, you can now make The Ultimate Greek-American Gyro Pita at home, which tastes much better than takeout.

Watch the Video: