Chicken Kabsa Rice/ Arabian Chicken and Rice

Chicken Kabsa, is an Arabian style chicken and rice dish which can be prepared for any occasion. This dish is considered one of the national dishes of Jordan and Saudi Arabia. This is one method of cooking chicken along with rice the other method is after half cooking the chicken, remove the chicken pieces and grill them separately and at last place them on top of the prepared Kabsa rice. 

This classic recipe is from Saudi Arabia. Chicken and rice are cooked in a beautiful spice mix making this one pot dish that can be prepared in a zing. As there are lots of Arabian restaurants in my home town Kerala, I got a chance of tasting this amazing dish during my stay a couple of weeks ago. I tasted this dish which I fell in love with the first mouthful. It's a dish that will be loved by all. 

As the fasting is going on, one day my husband asked me to make this dish for Iftar. I searched for recipes and the combination of different websites which ended in a delicious mouth watering one pot Iftar meal. We will get Kabsa masala from the middle eastern store or you can make it at home with the spices you have. I had all the spices so I used them. 

While serving, add lots of roasted nuts and raisins. I didn't add as I made this for Iftar and I didn't get time to roast the nuts. This dish is much easier to make than it looks. Please try this recipe and let me know.

Ingredients:

Kabsa Masala:

1. Coriander Powder- 2 tsp
2. Cinnamon powder- 1/2 tsp
3. Cardamom powder- 1/2 tsp
4. Turmeric Powder- 1/2 tsp
5. Chili Powder- 1 tsp
6. Cumin Powder- 1 tsp
7. Pepper powder- 1 tsp
8. Salt- as required

For the gravy:

1. Oil-2 tbsp
2. Ghee- 1 tbsp
3. Chicken- 2 lb
4. Onions- 2 (chopped)
5. Tomatoes-2 (chopped)
6. Tomato Paste- 2 tbsp
7. Crushed Tomatoes- 2
8. Ginger and Garlic paste- 2 tbsp
9. Dry Lemon-3
10. Cinnamon Sticks- 1
11. Cardamom- 4
12. Cloves- 1 tsp
13. Bay Leaf- 2

For Rice:

1. Basmati rice- 2 Cups
2. Water- 3 1/2 Cups

Method:

1. Heat oil and ghee in a deep bottomed pan. Drop the cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf, stir well. Add the dry lemons along with the whole spices.
2. Add the chopped onions, stir till it turns translucent, add ginger- garlic paste, mix well.
3. Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste and ground tomatoes, mix till everything gets blended well.
4. Add the cleaned chicken pieces and add the kabsa masala. Season with salt and fry the spices for a minute.
5. Close it with a lid and let the chicken pieces are half cooked on a medium flame. Just mix in between.
6. Meanwhile soak the washed rice for 30 minues and drain.
7. When the chicken pieces are half done add 3 1/2 cups of water and let it boil.Once the water starts boiling add the soaked rice, stir, cover and cook for 20 minutes on medium- low flame. After 20 minutes switch off the flame. Mix after 10 minutes and serve and enjoy.
8. When it is half done add 3 1/2 cups of water and let it boil, add the drained rice.