Chicken Kabsa Arabian Rice

®This is a RAS signature Recipe©

Kabsa definitely enjoys pride of place, when it comes to Saudi Arabian cuisine. An intrinsic part of the region’s culinary heritage, it is the best representation of traditional Arabic culture, which encompasses humble generosity.

The Recipe Intro↓ has more information on this recipe and related links, as well . If you’d like to check it out.

♦Prep time:25 min ♦Cook time:25 min ♦Serves: 8

You can strike through ingredients, as you prep them, by clicking on the ingredient.

Ingredients:

Chicken, medium or large-sized pieces with bone. (You can keep the skin on if you prefer).		1 kg
Basmati rice		4 cups
Onions, chopped		2
Tomatoes, chopped (deep red and juicy)		4 large firm, ripe
Garlic, finely chopped		8 large cloves
Kabsa Spice Mix (see notes)		3 Tbsp
Turmeric powder		1/4 - 1/2 tsp
Tomato puree (or 1 tsp Tomato paste)		2 Tbsp
Dried black lime/ loomi		1
Sunflower oil		1/2 cup
Salt		3 1/2 tsp

For Marinating Chicken:

Ginger-garlic paste (equal amounts of fresh ginger and garlic, ground to a paste)		2 1/2 Tbsp
Fresh lime juice		1 Tbsp
Black Pepper powder		3/4 tsp
Turmeric powder		3/4 tsp
Chilli powder		1/2 tsp
Sunflower oil		1 Tbsp
Chopped fresh coriander		3 Tbsp
Chicken stock (bouillon) cube (optional)		1
Salt (or use 1 tsp if you omitted the chicken stock cube)		1/2 tsp

Method:

1. Clean and rinse the chicken pieces. Pat dry and place in a bowl to marinate.
2. Add the ingredients for the marination, rub well into the chicken pieces, and set aside for 30 min.
3. Rinse the rice several times, till the water runs clear. Cover with fresh water and soak for 15 minutes ( no longer). Drain and set aside.
4. Chop onions, garlic, and tomato in the meantime.
5. After the chicken has marinated for 30 minutes, begin by heating oil(1/2cup), in a heavy-based, nonstick wok or pan (with a lid).
6. As the oil begins to heat up, gently lay the marinated chicken pieces, in one layer, and cover the pan. Cook covered on low heat with a constant light sizzle. This causes the chicken to fry and steam at the same time. Flip over a few times, till you get a nice light brown color. Be cautious towards, the end of cooking, as you don’t want the chicken to get overcooked and hard.  The pieces should remain juicy, with just some color developed.
7. Remove the chicken pieces from the pan.
8. Heat a heavy-based, pot with a lid, suitable for cooking the rice. Strain the oil from frying into this pot.
9. Saute sliced onion, just briefly till softened, then add the garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes on medium flame till the raw smell is gone.
10. Add the chopped tomato and saute for 3 minutes till they are reduced to a pulp, deep in color, and the oil has separated.
11. Add the Kabsa spice(3Tbsp) mix and half of the turmeric powder first. (Add more later for color).
12. Stir till fragrant and then add either Tomato paste (1tsp) OR Tomato puree(2Tbsp). Stir well till incorporated.
13. Add the dried lime, after making a small cut on the side.
14. Add water(7 1/2 cups) and add a bit more turmeric to lighten the color if needed.
15. Add salt to taste(3 1/2tsp) and bring to boil. AS SOON AS it comes to a boil, tip in the drained rice.
16. Lower heat and cook,  covered until water is entirely absorbed. (About 10 minutes). It is best not to stir the rice in between. Just check that the water is gone, towards the end. Also be careful that the rice does not stick to the bottom of the pot, from overcooking.
17. Once done, immediately fluff up the rice with a fork/ladle.
18. Place the cooked chicken over the rice. Place a steel tumbler containing a red hot piece of charcoal. Pour oil over this to create smoke. Immediately cover with a tight lid, placing a ‘weight’ on top if needed, to prevent smoke from escaping. Keep covered 10 minutes.
19. Serve the rice while hot, with chopped cucumber-carrot-tomato salad and Salata hara.

 

Chicken Kabsa Arabian Rice

 

Notes:

• The kabsa spice mix is available in any supermarket that stocks Arabian cooking spice and ingredients. Here is my authentic recipe for homemade Kabsa Spice Mix.
• How to make Ginger Garlic Paste.
• tomatoes should be firm red and ripe and large. if using smaller tomatoes use 5 Nos.
• If you like spicy Kabsa add whole green chillies to taste,  just before pouring in the water for the rice.
• You can add toasted pine seeds over the top of the rice as Garnish if desired.

Key Ingredients: Rice, Chicken, Spices, Dried Lime, Tomato, Garlic, Ginger, Onion, Oil, Salt.

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