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Chicken Kabsa Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 108 reviews

Chicken Kabsa is a traditional Middle Eastern dish featuring aromatic basmati rice cooked with a flavorful blend of whole and ground spices, tender chicken leg quarters, and a rich tomato base. This recipe combines slow simmering and roasting techniques to achieve juicy, crispy chicken and fragrant, fluffy rice, garnished with optional sweet and crunchy toppings for a vibrant and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Spices and Aromatics

  • 4 bay leaves
  • 6 cardamom pods
  • 6 cloves
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 3 dry lime
  • 1 green chili (optional)

Kabsa Spice Mix

  • 2 teaspoons coriander powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder or paprika
  • 2 teaspoons 7 spice blend

Main Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup ghee
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon ginger paste
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 tomatoes, pureed
  • 3 to 4 chicken leg quarters

Rice

  • 3 cups basmati rice, rinsed well and soaked
  • 4.5 cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Optional Garnishes

  • Raisins
  • Sauteed carrots
  • Fried onions
  • Slivered toasted almonds
  • Chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Sauté Aromatics and Spices: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the ghee over medium heat. Add minced garlic, ginger paste, tomato paste, and diced yellow onion. Sauté until the onions become translucent and the mixture is fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  2. Toast Whole Spices: Add bay leaves, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon sticks, dry lime, and green chili if using, along with 3/4 of the ground kabsa spice mix. Sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes until the spices release their aroma and are lightly toasted.
  3. Sear the Chicken: Place chicken leg quarters skin side down into the pot. Sear until the skin turns golden brown and crispy, about 5 to 7 minutes. This step locks in flavor and texture.
  4. Cook Chicken in Tomato Base: Pour the pureed tomatoes into the pot, mixing thoroughly with the spices and chicken. Cover and cook on low heat for about 30 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook gently and soak up flavors. The chicken can continue cooking in the oven after this step.
  5. Roast the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove the chicken from the pot and place it on a baking tray. Sprinkle the remaining kabsa spice mix over the chicken pieces. Roast in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked, crispy, and golden on top.
  6. Toast the Rice: While the chicken roasts, add the rinsed basmati rice to the pot with the remaining tomato and spice mixture. Toast the rice for several minutes until it is lightly golden and fragrant, which enhances its flavor.
  7. Cook the Rice: Pour in the chicken broth and add 1 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine, cover the pot, and cook over low heat for about 20 minutes until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid. Remove from heat and keep covered to steam for an additional 10 to 15 minutes for perfect fluffiness.
  8. Serve: Fluff the rice gently with a fork and transfer it to a large serving platter. Arrange the roasted chicken quarters atop the rice. Garnish with raisins, sautéed carrots, fried onions, slivered toasted almonds, and chopped parsley if desired.
  9. Enjoy: Serve the Chicken Kabsa hot, offering a delicious combination of aromatic rice, succulent chicken, and flavorful garnishes.

Notes

  • You can adjust the heat level by omitting the green chili or varying the amount of chili powder in the spice mix.
  • Soaking the basmati rice before cooking improves its texture and reduces cooking time.
  • Using ghee adds authentic flavor, but you can substitute with clarified butter or a neutral oil if needed.
  • The dry lime (loomi) is key for that signature tangy aroma in kabsa; if unavailable, a dash of lemon juice can be used during cooking.
  • Leftover Chicken Kabsa can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the oven.

Keywords: Chicken Kabsa, Middle Eastern rice dish, spiced chicken recipe, basmati rice with chicken, aromatic rice dish

Find it online: https://nayabaker.com/chicken-kabsa-recipe/