Yalla Market
Classic Chicken Kabsa Recipe
Arabic
⏱ 1 hr 15 mins
Medium
4-6 servings
Ah, Kabsa! An absolutely wonderful choice for dinner. It's the heart of so many family tables, a fragrant and flavorful one-pot rice dish that is pure comfort. We'll make a beautiful Classic Chicken Kabsa together, with tender chicken and perfectly spiced rice. Don't worry, it's a joy to cook! Let's get started. Approx. nutrition per serving: 750 calories, 68g protein, 70g carbs, 21g fat.
Ingredients
- chicken Buy: Garlic Marinated Chicken · ₺149.99
- basmati rice Buy: Ebuveys Basmati Rice · ₺609.99
- ghee Buy: Al Qamariya Ghee · ₺599.99
- onion Buy: Onion Powder · ₺55.99
- garlic Buy: Garlic Marinated Chicken · ₺149.99
- tomatoes
- tomato paste Buy: Tat Tomato Paste Large · ₺88.99
- Kebsa Rice Seasonings Buy: Kebsa Rice Seasonings · ₺55.99
- ground cardamom Buy: Ground Cardamom · ₺114.99
- salt
- black pepper
- raisins
- almonds
Preparation
- Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then soak it in fresh water for 30 minutes. Drain well.
- In a large pot, heat the ghee over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and golden, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the chicken pieces to the pot and sear on all sides until lightly browned.
- Stir in the tomato paste, chopped tomatoes, Kebsa Rice Seasonings, ground cardamom, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring to coat the chicken.
- Pour in enough water to cover the chicken by about an inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Carefully remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside. You can place it on a baking sheet and broil for a few minutes to get a crispy skin, if you like.
- Measure the remaining broth in the pot. You'll need about 1.5 cups of broth for every 1 cup of rice. Add more water if needed to reach the correct amount. Bring the broth to a rolling boil.
- Add the drained rice to the boiling broth. Stir once, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot tightly, and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed.
- While the rice cooks, lightly toast the almonds and raisins in a small, dry pan until fragrant.
- Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and let it sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Then, fluff the rice gently with a fork.
- To serve, spread the rice on a large platter. Arrange the chicken pieces on top and garnish generously with the toasted almonds and raisins.
Pro Tips
- Soaking the rice is a crucial step! It helps the grains cook evenly and become long and fluffy without breaking.
- For extra flavor, you can add a dried lime (loomi) to the broth while the chicken is cooking.