Tavuk Kapama (Turkish Baked Chicken Pilaf)

Tavuk Kapama (Turkish Baked Chicken Pilaf)

Tavuk Kapama is a very popular Turkish dish. It is served as the main dish along with some salads or sides.

In earlier times, it was baked in special clay ovens with a special type of lid on top. The name itself ‘Kapama’ refers to this “closure”. Kapama can be made with Lamb or Beef as well. I am sharing the Turkish style Beef ribs recipe, which can be used instead of the chicken here OR served as a side along with Tavuk Kapama.

Usually, Tavuk Kapama is served with roasted, bone-in chicken. However, in this recipe after baking, I have removed the meat from the bones and added over the cooked pilaf along with vegetables, before it is baked again with a flour dough casing.

To serve, we place the earthen pot over a tray of live-fire for visual pleasure.. and then cut open the flour casing to reveal the steaming Kapama, similar to ‘dum’ cooking.

These days, this rice dish is very popular back in my home-town Kochi. One of my viewers asked me to do my take on it.. I contacted my old highschool friend Kumru for a few recipes and she has continued to help me. I will be posting many Turkish dishes in the future.. erm.. sort of became hooked!

The rice comes out extremely moist and flavourful.. You can adapt the recipe to suit your spice requirements.

I serve this Chicken Kapama, with Turkish Baked Beef Or Lamb Ribs (Kaburga Kapama) and Turkish Roasted Eggplant Yoghurt Dip (yoğurtlu közlenmiş patlıcan).

Scroll down for the Complete Recipe.

Tavuk Kapama (Turkish Baked Chicken Pilaf)

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Watch the Video or click to read Complete Recipe – Below. 

How to make Tavuk Kapama (Turkish Baked Chicken Pilaf)- Recipe at a glance:

• Prep and Bake the Chicken.
• Rinse, Soak and Drain the Rice.
• Prepare a simple pilaf.
• Shred the baked chicken with hands. Discard skin and bones.
• Saute the shredded chicken with garlic and spice.
• Add the sauteed chicken over the cooked rice.
• Cover with a sheet of prepared dough and bake.
• Serve over a flaming hotplate.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken

• 1 kg chicken, with skin, and cut into half.
• 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
• 1 tsp sweet Paprika (Turkish Sweet Red Pepper powder if possible- see notes)
• 3 Tbsp crushed fresh garlic
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 small sprig of fresh Rosemary
• 3 Sprigs of Thyme
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp Olive oil
• 3-4 Large potatoes

For the Rice:

• 3 Cups Basmati
• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp whole black peppercorns
• 4-5 green cardamom
• 1 Bay leaf – optional
• 2 Tbsp Olive oil
• 1 1/2 cup Chopped onion (Vidalia or White Onion)
• 2 Tbsp sliced mild green chilli
• 2 Tbsp sliced green bell pepper (capsicum)
• 1 tsp Tomato paste
• 2 fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tsp sweet Paprika (Turkish Sweet Red Pepper powder if possible)
• 3 /4 tsp Black pepper powder
• less than 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• Up to 6 cups of water
• 2 1/2 tsp salt
• 250 gms flour to make the dough lid. (not for consuming)
• For toppings : 1 onion quartered, 1 small bell pepper, cut into chunks, 2 Tomatoes quartered. 10-12 small hot green chillies

To Saute the shredded chicken:

• 2 Tbsp Olive oil
• 1/4 cup crushed garlic
• 1 tsp sweet Paprika (Turkish Sweet Red Pepper powder if possible)
• 1 tsp mild chilli powder (Kashmiri)
• 1/2  tsp Black pepper powder

It is recommended that you open the recipe page and keep this page going if you like to WATCH / LISTEN to the video alongside the written instructions.

Key Ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Garlic, Onion, Green Chilli, Tomato paste, Lime Juice, Olive oil, Butter, Salt, Spices(Paprika, Chilli powder, Black Pepper, Green Crdamom, Bayleaf,  Turmeric), Herbs (Thyme and Rosemary ), Vegetables(Potato, Tomato, Green Bell Pepper).

EAT AND TELL!!! Let us know if you tried –  Tavuk Kapama (Turkish Baked Chicken Pilaf)