Mediterranean🍚 Starches

Kabsa Chicken: Saudi Chicken & Aromatic Rice

Name: Kabsa Chicken: Saudi Chicken & Aromatic Rice
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 Whole chicken, cut into pieces; 3 cups Basmati rice, rinsed and soaked for 15 minutes; 1 Onion, finely chopped; 2 Carrot, grated; 2 tbsp Tomato paste; 1 tbsp Chicken bouillon paste; 2 Zest of oranges; ¼ cups Olive oil; 2-3 tsp Salt, or to taste; 1 Cinnamon stick; 3 Bay leaves; 4 Cardamom pods; 2 Star anise; 1 tsp Black pepper; 6 Garlic cloves, grated; 1 tsp Paprika; 1 tsp Chili powder; 1 tsp Coriander powder; ½ tsp Ground cumin; ½ tsp Ground turmeric; 3 Fresh tomatoes; 1 Small onion, quartered; 3 Spicy green chilies; 1 Peeled lemon, quartered; 3 Garlic cloves; ¼ cups Fresh mint; ½ tsp Ground cumin; ½ cup Water; 2 tbsp Butter; ~½ cup Sliced almonds

⏱ 75 min

A Saudi-inspired chicken and rice dish bursting with aromatic spices, featuring tender braised chicken charred under the broiler and served over fragrant basmati rice with a fresh, spicy tomato sauce.

Adapted from a video by Dimitra's Dishes

Watch on YouTube

Ingredients

Whole chicken, cut into pieces1
Basmati rice, rinsed and soaked for 15 minutes3 cups
Onion, finely chopped1
Carrot, grated2
Tomato paste2 tbsp
Chicken bouillon paste1 tbsp
Zest of oranges2
Olive oil¼ cups
Salt, or to taste2-3 tsp
Cinnamon stick1
Bay leaves

Steps

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1
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and sauté the onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the grated garlic, carrot, and orange zest, then cook for 30-40 seconds until fragrant.
2
Add the cinnamon stick, bay leaves, cardamom pods, star anise, paprika, chili powder, coriander powder, cumin, turmeric, and black pepper. Toast for a few seconds to release their flavors.
3
Stir in the tomato paste and chicken bouillon paste, mix well, then add the chicken pieces. Season with salt and black pepper, toss to coat with the spices, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
4
Pour in about 2 cups of water to cover the chicken, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover the pot, and simmer for 35-40 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
5
Carefully remove the chicken and transfer it to an oven-safe dish. Remove as many of the whole spices (cinnamon, bay leaves, cardamom, star anise) as possible to make eating easier.
6
Drain the soaked rice and add it to the pot with 2-3 teaspoons of salt and about 2 cups of water, ensuring the liquid covers the rice by about ½ inch. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes until the rice is cooked through and fluffy.
7
Place the chicken on a baking tray and broil for about 10 minutes until it develops a beautiful char and lightly browning.
8
Prepare the tomato sauce by blending together the fresh tomatoes, small onion, spicy green chilies, lemon, garlic cloves, fresh mint, ground cumin, salt, and about ½ cup of water until it reaches a chunky salsa texture.
9
Transfer the cooked rice to a large serving platter and arrange the broiled chicken on top. Toast the sliced almonds and raisins or cranberries in butter until golden, then sprinkle over the dish. Serve the tomato sauce on the side or drizzle over the top.

Kabsa Chicken: Saudi Chicken & Aromatic Rice

Ingredients

Steps

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