Chicken Kabsa 🍗🍚

Chicken Kabsa: A Flavorful Journey to the Middle East 🍗🍚

Welcome back, food enthusiasts! Today, I’m thrilled to share a recipe that will take your taste buds on an exotic journey to the Middle East. Chicken Kabsa is a traditional Saudi Arabian dish that’s bursting with aromatic spices and rich flavors. This one-pot dish is not only delicious but also visually appealing, making it perfect for family gatherings or special occasions. Let’s dive into the recipe!

Ingredients

Kabsa Spice Mix:

• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom (cardamom powder) 🌿
• 1/4 tsp ground white pepper (white pepper powder) 🌶️
• 1/4 tsp saffron 🌼
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (cinnamon powder) 🍂
• 1/2 tsp ground all spice 🌾
• 1/2 tsp dried whole lime powder 🍋

Chicken Kabsa:

• 2 tbsp oil or butter 🧈
• 3 onions, sliced 🧅
• 1 tbsp minced ginger (ginger paste) 🌱
• 1 tbsp minced garlic (garlic paste) 🧄
• 1 green chili 🌶️
• 2 dried bay leaves 🍃
• 6 cloves 🌿
• 4 cardamom pods 🌿
• 1 cinnamon stick 🍂
• 2 tbsp tomato puree (tomato paste) 🍅
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg (nutmeg powder) 🌰
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper (black pepper powder) 🌶️
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin (cumin powder) 🌿
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander (coriander powder) 🌿
• 3 medium carrots, thinly sliced 🥕
• 200 g canned diced tomatoes (or 3 tomatoes chopped) 🍅
• 2 chicken stock cubes 🧂
• 1 1/2 kg whole chicken, cut into 6 pieces 🍗
• 3 cups basmati rice, rinsed 🍚
• 1/4 cup raisins 🍇
• Water 💧
• Salt to taste 🧂
• Raisins, to garnish (optional) 🍇
• Slivered almonds, to garnish (optional) 🌰

Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Kabsa Spice Mix:

• In a small bowl, combine ground cardamom, white pepper, saffron, cinnamon, all spice, and lime powder. Set aside. 🥣

2️⃣ Sauté the Aromatics:

• Heat oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions, minced ginger, minced garlic, and green chili. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until the onions turn golden brown. 🌟

3️⃣ Add Whole Spices:

• Add dried bay leaves, cloves, cardamom pods, and cinnamon stick to the pan. Fry for a minute to release the flavors. 🍂

4️⃣ Incorporate Tomato and Ground Spices:

• Stir in the tomato puree, followed by ground nutmeg, ground black pepper, ground cumin, ground coriander, and the prepared kabsa spice mix. Season with salt and fry the spices for a minute. 🍅

5️⃣ Cook Vegetables:

• Add thinly sliced carrots and diced tomatoes to the pan. Stir and cook for 2 minutes. 🥕

6️⃣ Brown the Chicken:

• Add chicken pieces to the pan and brown them, turning occasionally, for about 30 minutes. Remove the chicken pieces from the pan and set aside. 🍗

7️⃣ Prepare the Rice:

• Add rinsed basmati rice and raisins to the pan. Pour in 4 cups of water and season with salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover with a lid, and simmer for 10-15 minutes. 🍚

8️⃣ Grill the Chicken:

• Preheat the grill. Grill the chicken pieces for 10-15 minutes or until cooked through. 🔥

9️⃣ Serve and Garnish:

• Serve the cooked rice with the grilled chicken. Garnish with additional raisins and slivered almonds if desired. 🍛

Tips for the Perfect Chicken Kabsa

• Spice Mix: Adjust the spice levels to your preference. The kabsa spice mix can be made in bulk and stored for future use.
• Rice: Make sure to rinse the basmati rice thoroughly to remove excess starch and achieve fluffy rice.
• Chicken: Browning the chicken adds depth of flavor. Ensure it’s well-cooked and juicy.

Conclusion

Chicken Kabsa is a beautiful blend of spices and ingredients that come together to create a dish that’s both comforting and exotic. It’s a perfect way to bring a taste of the Middle East to your home. Give this recipe a try, and let the aromatic flavors transport you to a land of culinary delight!

Enjoy cooking, and don’t forget to share your Chicken Kabsa creations with us. Happy cooking! 🥘

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