KABSA (SAUDI RICE & CHICKEN)

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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)

namakula halima
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This dish was amazing! The chicken was so tender and the rice was cooked to perfection. I will definitely be making this again and again.


Splurge
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I'm giving this recipe 4 stars. The dish was flavorful and the chicken was cooked perfectly. However, the rice was a bit mushy for my taste.


Faiza Ashfaq
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This dish was okay. The chicken was a bit dry and the rice was a bit bland. I think I will try a different recipe next time.


David Mcmahon
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I had some trouble finding some of the ingredients, but once I did, the dish was easy to make. The end result was delicious and I will definitely be making this again.


WYCLEF TV
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This dish was a bit too spicy for my taste, but otherwise it was very good. The chicken was tender and the rice was cooked perfectly.


Janwar pk Punjab
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This was my first time making kabsa and it was a success! The dish was easy to make and the end result was delicious. I will definitely be making this again.


Tayasiir Cawl
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I love this dish! I've made it several times and it always turns out delicious. The chicken is always moist and flavorful, and the rice is always cooked perfectly.


Abdul Mukit
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This recipe is a keeper! The rice was fluffy and flavorful, and the chicken was cooked perfectly. I will definitely be making this dish again.


Sharon Mayes
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5 stars! I made this dish last night and it turned out great. The flavors were amazing and the chicken was so moist. My family loved it.


Slo Harki
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This dish was a hit at my dinner party! The chicken was tender and flavorful, and the rice was cooked to perfection. I would definitely recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a delicious and easy-to-make Saudi dish.