Description
Saudi Arabia’s beloved Chicken Kabsa combines fragrant rice, tender chicken, and a medley of aromatic spices. Layered with cultural richness, this hearty dish offers you a delicious journey through Middle Eastern culinary traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 kg whole chicken, cut into 6 pieces
- 3 cups basmati rice, rinsed
- 3 onions, sliced
- 200 grams (7 ounces) canned diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons oil or butter
Spices:
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon saffron
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon dried whole lime powder
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
Aromatics and Garnishes:
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 6 cloves
- 4 cardamom pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 green chili
- Salt to taste
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup slivered almonds (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- Water (as needed)
Instructions
- Craft a fragrant kabsa spice blend by thoroughly mixing ground cardamom, white pepper, saffron, cinnamon, allspice, and lime powder in a ceramic mixing bowl. Reserve this aromatic mixture for layering flavors later.
- Warm of vegetable oil in a substantial cast-iron pan over medium-high temperature. Introduce finely sliced onions, freshly minced ginger, crushed garlic, and chopped green chili peppers. Caramelize the ingredients until onions transform into a rich golden-brown color, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Gently incorporate whole dried bay leaves, fragrant cloves, crushed cardamom pods, and a whole cinnamon stick. Toast these aromatics for precisely one minute to unleash their deep, complex flavors.
- Pour in robust tomato puree, then sprinkle ground nutmeg, freshly cracked black pepper, finely ground cumin seeds, and vibrant coriander powder. Integrate the previously prepared kabsa spice mixture, seasoning with kosher salt. Sauté the combination for an additional minute.
- Add thinly julienned carrots and roughly diced fresh tomatoes into the pan. Stir thoroughly and allow vegetables to soften slightly, cooking for approximately 2 minutes.
- Carefully introduce chicken pieces, ensuring each segment browns uniformly across all surfaces. Cook for roughly 30 minutes, rotating periodically to achieve consistent caramelization. Remove chicken temporarily and set aside on a clean platter.
- Meticulously rinse basmati rice under cool running water until liquid runs clear. Return rice to the spice-infused pan, sprinkling sweet raisins throughout. Pour of water, seasoning lightly with additional salt. Bring mixture to a robust boil, then reduce heat, covering tightly and simmering for 10-15 minutes until rice achieves perfect tenderness.
- While rice simmers, preheat outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat. Return reserved chicken pieces, grilling for an additional 10-15 minutes to ensure complete cooking and develop a beautiful external char.
- Artfully plate warm, aromatic rice as a foundation, strategically positioning grilled chicken alongside. Elegantly garnish with delicate slivered almonds and a sprinkle of additional raisins, creating a visually stunning and flavorful presentation.
Notes
- Kabsa spices create a flavor explosion that transforms ordinary chicken into a Middle Eastern culinary masterpiece.
- Toasting whole spices releases their essential oils, intensifying the aromatic profile of this traditional Saudi Arabian dish.
- Rinsing rice removes excess starch, ensuring each grain remains fluffy and perfectly separated during cooking.
- Grilling chicken separately adds a smoky char that complements the rich, complex spice blend in the rice.
- Raisins and almonds provide unexpected bursts of sweetness and crunch, elevating the dish’s textural complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Saudi Arabian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg