Best 10 Kabsa Recipes

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**Kabsa: Aromatic Saudi Arabian Rice Dish with Variants Across the Region**

Kabsa, a cornerstone of Saudi Arabian cuisine, is a delectable rice dish characterized by its aromatic blend of spices and succulent meat. Typically featuring long-grain rice, cooked in a flavorful broth infused with cardamom, cloves, cumin, black pepper, and bay leaves, Kabsa is renowned for its captivating aroma and taste. Variations of this dish span across the Arabian Peninsula, each boasting unique ingredients and cooking techniques that reflect the region's diverse culinary traditions.

**Explore the Culinary Journey of Kabsa:**

* **Saudi Chicken Kabsa:** Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Saudi Arabia with this classic recipe. Tender chicken pieces are marinated in a fragrant blend of spices, then slow-cooked with rice, vegetables, and a rich tomato sauce, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.

* **Emirati Lamb Kabsa:** Experience the culinary artistry of the Emirates with this sumptuous lamb-based Kabsa. Succulent lamb is slow-cooked in a flavorful broth, infused with aromatic spices, and layered with fluffy rice, toasted nuts, and caramelized onions.

* **Qatari Seafood Kabsa:** Dive into the vibrant flavors of Qatar with this seafood-inspired Kabsa. A medley of shrimp, calamari, and fish are delicately cooked in a fragrant broth, combined with rice, aromatic spices, and a touch of tangy lemon, resulting in a seafood extravaganza.

* **Bahraini Kabsa with Dried Lime:** Discover the culinary heritage of Bahrain with this unique twist on Kabsa. Dried lime lends a distinctive sour note to the dish, complementing the savory meat and aromatic rice, creating a harmonious balance of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

* **Omani Kabsa with Raisins and Almonds:** Embark on a culinary adventure to Oman with this delightful Kabsa variation. Plump raisins and crunchy almonds add a touch of sweetness and texture to the aromatic rice, while the succulent meat slow-cooked in a rich broth infuses the dish with depth of flavor.

Each recipe in this article offers a culinary journey through the diverse landscapes of the Arabian Peninsula, showcasing the unique flavors and traditions that define Kabsa. From the classic Saudi Chicken Kabsa to the seafood-inspired Qatari version, these recipes invite you to savor the authentic taste of this iconic dish.

Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!

KABSA



Kabsa image

This is a traditional Saudi Arabian rice and chicken dish, though Arabs of every country know and love this dish. It has a lot of spices which makes it full of flavor. Baharat (Arabic 7-spice mix) can be found at Middle Eastern grocery stores.

Provided by Zahra

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Chicken Breast Recipes

Time 2h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 23

2 chicken thighs
2 chicken drumsticks
2 chicken breast halves
6 cups water
½ cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon salt
2 bay leaves
2 cinnamon sticks
2 cups basmati rice
1 ½ teaspoons salt
6 whole cardamom pods
10 whole cloves
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon baharat (Arabic 7-spice mix)
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup golden raisins
⅓ cup water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups chopped onions
1 ½ cups very ripe tomatoes, chopped
3 tablespoons butter

Steps:

  • Place chicken thighs, drumsticks, and breasts into a large pan and pour in 6 cups water; stir in 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup chopped onion, bay leaves, and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer until chicken is tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Remove chicken, strain the broth, and retain 4 cups of broth.
  • While chicken is simmering, rinse basmati rice thoroughly until water runs clear. Place into a bowl and mix in 1 1/2 teaspoon salt, cardamom pods, whole cloves, nutmeg, baharat spice mix, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and black pepper. Let the rice sit while you complete remaining steps.
  • Soak golden raisins with 1/3 cup water in a small bowl. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil with 1 tablespoon butter in a large pan. Cook and stir 2 cups onion with tomatoes until vegetables soften, about 10 minutes. Mix in the seasoned rice and cook until rice grains are hot, 2 to 3 minutes; pour in reserved 4 cups of chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Mix in soaked golden raisins. Place 3 tablespoons butter into the pan, let melt, and turn heat to low; simmer covered until rice is tender, about 45 minutes.
  • Tear chicken meat off the bones into bite-size pieces. Spread the rice onto a large serving platter and distribute cooked chicken over the rice to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 565.5 calories, Carbohydrate 70.9 g, Cholesterol 81.3 mg, Fat 20.6 g, Fiber 4.2 g, Protein 26.1 g, SaturatedFat 7.5 g, Sodium 1094.7 mg, Sugar 12.4 g

AL KABSA - TRADITIONAL SAUDI RICE (& MEAT) DISH



Al Kabsa - Traditional Saudi Rice (& Meat) Dish image

This is my meat (lamb) version of Al Kabsa / Kabsah. Kabsa is one of the most famous of all the traditional Saudi dishes & is actually easy to make! See my other recipes for the chicken version.......

Provided by Um Safia

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 3h20m

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 27

2 1/2 kg lamb, large cubes
4 cups basmati rice
1/2 kg carrot, peeled and finely diced
1 green pepper, seeded and finely diced
1 kg tomatoes, peeled and diced
1 kg finely chopped onion
6 -8 garlic cloves, minced
1 pinch ground cumin
1 pinch ground coriander
salt and black pepper
butter (for frying) or olive oil (for frying)
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
1/2 teaspoon saffron
1/4 teaspoon ground green cardamoms
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground dried limes
2 cups water
1 beef stock cube (Maggi)
1 large onion, finely chopped
14 ounces chopped tomatoes
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/4 cup diced celery
salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons butter

Steps:

  • Fry meat until browned on all sides. Add enough water to the pot so that it covers the meat by 1.5"-2", bring to a boil then cook gently over medium heat for 1 1/2 - 2 hours or until tender. Reserve stock & set meat aside.
  • Soak rice for 15 minutes. Drain, rise under running water then drain well.
  • Add butter to a large stock pot or casserole, fry the onion, pepper, carrot & spices. Cook on low heat for about 10 minutes, or until tender.
  • Add rice to vegetables in the pot, cook for 5 minutes on medium heat. Add meat stock until stock covers rice (approx 1.5" above rice). Cover pot. Cook on low heat for 30 minutes or until tender - add a little more stock or water if rice seems to become dry.
  • Sauce:.
  • Fry onion, garlic and tomato in the butter. Add tomato paste, celery, salt, cinnamon, water & stock cube. Cook on medium heat until slightly thickened and celery is tender.
  • Serve in a large dish or on a platter. Place the rice first, top with meat & garnish with pine nuts. Serve the sauce in a jug with a spoon. Saudies enjoy kabsa with a hot sauce called 'shattah' -- .

Nutrition Facts : Calories 793.4, Fat 32.1, SaturatedFat 12.4, Cholesterol 138.1, Sodium 243.3, Carbohydrate 81.7, Fiber 7.9, Sugar 12.2, Protein 44.6

AL KABSA - ANCIENT ARABIAN CHICKEN AND FRAGRANT RICE



Al Kabsa - Ancient Arabian Chicken and Fragrant Rice image

This classic Arabian dish is Saudi Arabian in origin, and is believed to originate from the nomadic Bedouin tribes centuries ago. Arabic cuisine has its roots in tent cookery. Nomadic tribes could use only transportable foods such as rice and dates, or their nomadic stock like sheep and camels in their recipes. As the caravans journeyed throughout the Middle East, new seasonings and vegetables were discovered and added to the existing repertoire. Each new discovery was incorporated into the diet in quantities palatable to a particular tribe - a fact that many cooks believe is responsible for the anomalies found in some Arabic dishes today. You can use lamb (or camel !!) in this dish, but it is more usual to make it with chicken nowadays. I have a recipe posted on Zaar for the Kabsa spice mix needed in this recipe. Recipe #290159

Provided by French Tart

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 40m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 kg chicken piece
500 g basmati rice
2 dried limes, finely chopped
250 g fresh tomatoes
250 g onions, peeled and diced
50 g garlic cloves, peeled and finely diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh coriander, chopped
50 ml olive oil
2 tablespoons kabsa spice mix (OR use the following spices, 1 teaspoon cardamom seed, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon cumin)
250 g fresh tomatoes
100 g of fresh mint, leave
5 g salt
50 g green chili peppers
water

Steps:

  • Slice the onion and garlic, cut the tomatoes in to wedges and chop the fresh coriander.
  • Heat the oil in a casserole dish and add the onions, garlic - sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, then add chicken and cook for a further 5 minutes. Add the rice and sauté for about 3 minutes before adding the tomato, spices, salt and dried limes.
  • Add water just enough to cover the rice mixture and bring to boil, turn the heat down and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, stir in the sultanas and almonds, then leave for further 10 minutes with the lid on.
  • Remove the lid, stir well and serve with the following sauce.
  • Accompanying Sauce.
  • Skin the tomatoes and mix all the ingredients together, season to taste.
  • Serve the Kabsa with the tomato sauce and flatbreads.
  • NB. If making up the Kabsa spice mixture fresh - grind all the spices together in a coffee grinder or a food processor/mixer, or with a pestle and mortar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 861.4, Fat 36.4, SaturatedFat 9.1, Cholesterol 125, Sodium 704.3, Carbohydrate 91, Fiber 17.9, Sugar 5.2, Protein 45.8

SAUDI KABSA SPICE MIX



Saudi Kabsa Spice Mix image

Whole spices make it much more aromatic and flavourful so that is what I recommend using. This is my addaption of a recipe found on http://arabicbites.blogspot.com

Provided by UmmBinat

Categories     Southwest Asia (middle East)

Time 6m

Yield 6 Tablespoons, 1 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon coriander seed
1 teaspoon black peppercorns (1/2 tbs if you don't want it hot)
1 teaspoon black cardamom pod (I left this out, they are not to be substituted with green cardomom)
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon fennel seed (We prefer this without as we don't like fennel flavour. You will be able to taste it.)

Steps:

  • Blend until crushed.
  • Use as required.

CLASSIC ARABIAN KABSA SPICE MIX FROM THE SPICE ROUTE



Classic Arabian Kabsa Spice Mix from the Spice Route image

This is just one variation of the classic Arabian spice mix which is used in the ancient Saudi Arabian dish called Al Kabsa or Al Kabsah; a chicken and rice dish which is fragrant and lightly spiced - and is thought to originate from the nomadic Bedouin tribes. Arabic cuisine has its roots in tent cookery. Nomadic tribes could use only transportable foods such as rice and dates, or their nomadic stock like sheep and camels in their recipes. As the caravans journeyed throughout the Middle East, new seasonings and vegetables were discovered and added to the existing repertoire. Each new discovery was incorporated into the diet in quantities palatable to a particular tribe - a fact that many cooks believe is responsible for the anomalies found in some Arabic dishes today.

Provided by French Tart

Categories     Lebanese

Time 2m

Yield 1 small jar of Kabsa

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon cardamom seed
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon cumin seed
1 tablespoon coriander seed
1 tablespoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon saffron thread
1 teaspoon dried pomegranate powder
2 dried limes (optional)

Steps:

  • Grind all the whole spices and saffron threads together, then add the promegranate powder, mix well. (If using the dried limes, add them to the intial grinding procedure.).
  • Decant into an airtight tin or container and store in a dark, cool and dry place.

ROASTED CHICKEN AL-KABSA (SAUDI) (GLUTEN FREE)



Roasted Chicken Al-Kabsa (Saudi) (Gluten Free) image

Al-Kabsa is considered a national dish from Saudi Arabia. This is my tasty adaption of a recipe found on http://arabicbites.blogspot.com. I serve this with Recipe #369045 and fresh salad.

Provided by UmmBinat

Categories     Whole Chicken

Time 57m

Yield 4 pieces, 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 whole baby chicken, cut into 4
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon baharat (Baharat Aka Middle East Mixed Spices - the Real Mix)
1/2 teaspoon kabsa spice mix (Saudi Kabsa Spice Mix)
salt
3 cilantro, springs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • De-skin the chicken.
  • Season with spices and olive oil.
  • Place in a roasting pan and into the oven for 40-50 minutes.
  • Garnish with cilantro and serve with Recipe #369045 or basmati rice.
  • Enjoy!

SAUDI KABSA



Saudi Kabsa image

Kabsa is the main dish of Saudi Arabia. While the ingredients may be long, this recipe is anything but hard. Each spice used in this recipe is a popular Middle Eastern spice so the combining spices make this dish about as authentic as you can get. Every home has their own style, this is mine and I hope you enjoy.

Provided by Ya Salam Cooking

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces
1 cup basmati rice, washed and rinsed
2 tablespoons sunflower oil
2 bay leaves
1 chicken bouillon cube
1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, diced
6 green cardamom pods, whole
5 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
2 black limes
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cardamom, ground
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
4 hard-boiled eggs (optional)
pine nuts and raisins (optional)

Steps:

  • NOTE: place basmati rice in bowl with water over it to expand, it will not cook and will stay hard unless you do this. Leave for 15 minutes at the least.
  • 1. In an 8-quart stockpot on medium-high heat add onions, garlic and. Allow onions to turn golden. Add bay leaves, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon sticks, black limes, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, ginger and ground cardamom. Blend well and allow to sauté for 30 seconds.
  • 2. Add tomato sauce and chicken bouillon. Mix well until sauce thickens, reduce heat to low-medium. Add chicken allow to sauté for a 1 minute. Rotate chicken so that it gets all of the flavors. Add water until chicken is completely covered. Bring to a full boil then reduce to low. Cook for 35 minutes covered.
  • 5. After the chicken has cooked reserve broth for rice. In a 2-quart saucepan, add rice and enough sauce from the chicken just so that the rice is covered. Bring to a boil then immediately turn heat to low and cook covered for eight to ten minutes. Meanwhile, why the rice is cooking turn oven on high broil. Add chicken to a roasting pan and broil for five minutes or until golden.
  • 8. Add cooked rice to a serving platter with chicken arranged on top. Garnish plate with hard-boiled eggs, pine nuts, and raisins.

EASY SAUDI KABSA (ZAINAB'S) (GLUTEN FREE)



Easy Saudi Kabsa (Zainab's) (Gluten Free) image

Tasty. Chicken with spiced yellow rice & a nice tomato sauce or if you are tomato free serve it with Recipe #359835 used to replace the tomato puree. Modified from http://arabicbites.blogspot.com

Provided by UmmBinat

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 30m

Yield 2 , 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
sea salt
fresh ground pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups white basmati rice
3 cups chicken stock (I use just a little less for what I find perfect rice)
1/4 teaspoon middle eastern mixed spice (Baharat Aka Middle East Mixed Spices - the Real Mix)
1/4 teaspoon kabsa spices (Saudi Kabsa Spice Mix)
1 pinch turmeric
salt
2 cups canned tomato puree (or Basic Nomato Sauce (Tomato Free Tomato Sauce) to be tomato free)
1 tablespoon tomato paste (none if you are tomato free)
salt
fresh ground pepper
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon middle eastern mixed spice (Baharat Aka Middle East Mixed Spices - the Real Mix)
1 pinch ground cumin
1 teaspoon tahini
4 garlic cloves, crushed
chicken stock, if needed (or water)

Steps:

  • Season chicken breasts with olive oil, salt and pepper, cook over high heat, turning when golden.
  • Rince basmati rice well and soak in cold water for 20 minutes.
  • Drain.
  • In a deep pan add all ingredients under rice heading, bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer covered on low for 14-20 minutes until done.
  • For the sauce stir all the ingredients under daqous heading in a medium pot.
  • Simmer until well combined over low heat adding additional liquid if needed.
  • Serve chicken breast alongside basmati rice with Daqous & a green salad.
  • Enjoy.

FISH KABSA (SAUDI)



Fish Kabsa (Saudi) image

This is good with a fresh salad on the side. "Fish kabsa is a dish coming from the cities that border the sea and gulf in Saudi Arabia. Any white fish fillet that you may like would work well in this recipe." Modified from a recipe found on yasalamcooking.com.

Provided by UmmBinat

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 37m

Yield 4-6 , 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 kg fish fillet, cut into smallish large pieces
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons tomato paste
6 garlic cloves
1 large white onion, diced
2 cups rice (I use Basmati and am sure to soak it the required mount of time)
3 cups water
1 vegetable bouillon cube (I use homemade vegetable stock)
1/2 tablespoon arabic mixed spice (Baharat Aka Middle East Mixed Spices - the Real Mix)
sea salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted in a dry frying pan
1/4 cup fresh cilantro

Steps:

  • In a large pan on medium heat add butter, onions and garlic; cook until tender. Add Arabic spice mix, mix well. Carefully add fish and allow to cook halfway on each side until lightly pink-white. About 1 minute or less on each side. Remove fish/onion mixture and set aside.
  • Add tomato paste and bullion cube to pan, cook a little then add rice and water. Carefully place fish mixture on top. Raise heat to high and allow to come to a full boil, cover and reduce to low. Allow to cook until rice and fish are thoroughly cooked. Depending on the thickness of the fish fillets and the rice type, adjust timing.
  • Once done, arrange fish kabsa on a serving platter and decorate top with cilantro and pine nuts.
  • Serve with a fresh salad.
  • Enjoy!

KABSA (SAUDI RICE & CHICKEN)



Kabsa (Saudi Rice & Chicken) image

I had the privilege of experiencing this dish in 1979 when my Saudi neighbors invited me over for dinner. They had a spread of their native foods on newspapers on their living room floor and ate the rice with their fingers. Not knowing the proper spelling of the dish made it nearly impossible to find a recipe on the internet...

Provided by Karen Petree

Categories     Chicken

Time 1h45m

Number Of Ingredients 18

KABSA DISH
1/4 c butter
3 lb chicken (thighs)
1 large onion, finely chopped
6 clove garlic, minced
1/4 c tomato puree
14 oz canned chopped tomatoes, un-drained (or fresh)
3 carrots, grated
2 whole cloves
1 pinch grated nutmeg
1 pinch ground cumin
1 pinch ground coriander
salt & freshly ground black pepper
4 c hot water
1 maggi (chicken bouillon) cube
2 1/4 c basmati rice (don't rinse or soak this)
1/4 c raisins (optional)
1/4 c slivered almonds, toasted

Steps:

  • 1. Melt butter in a large stock pot, casserole or dutch oven. Add chicken pieces, onion & garlic & sauté until onion is tender. Stir in tomato puree & simmer over a low heat for a couple of minutes.
  • 2. Add tomatoes, carrots, cloves, all the spices & salt and pepper. Cook for a couple of minutes. Add the water & Maggi cube.
  • 3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover. Simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Add rice to the pot & stir carefully. (if you're wanting to brown the chicken in the oven - remove it from the pot now & place in the preheated oven).
  • 4. Re-Cover & simmer for 35 - 40 minutes - adding the raisins for the last 10 minutes - or until rice is tender.
  • 5. Place the rice on a large serving dish, topped with the chicken & garnished with almonds. Serve with a fresh mixed salad - preferably with a little lime vinaigrette. Saudis like their Kabsa with a hot sauce called 'Shattah'.
  • 6. (You can also 'finish' the chicken pieces off in the oven by cooking them for 25 - 30 minutes at 350 degrees whilst the rice is cooking. (but don't let them become dry)

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients. The better the quality of your ingredients, the better your kabsa will taste. Look for fresh, flavorful vegetables and high-quality meat or chicken.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to make kabsa, so feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors. You might be surprised at what you come up with!
  • Cook the rice separately. This will help to prevent the rice from becoming mushy. Rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking, and then cook it according to the package directions.
  • Brown the meat or chicken before adding it to the pot. This will help to give the kabsa a richer flavor.
  • Use a variety of spices. Kabsa is typically flavored with a variety of spices, such as cumin, coriander, cardamom, and cloves. Experiment with different combinations of spices to find a flavor that you like.
  • Let the kabsa rest before serving. This will help the flavors to meld together. Cover the pot with a lid and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Conclusion:

Kabsa is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to use up leftover rice, and it can also be made with a variety of different ingredients. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy meal or a special occasion dish, kabsa is a great option. So next time you are looking for something new to try, give kabsa a try!

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