Kabsa with chicken - a specialty of Arab countries

Kabsa with Chicken – an aromatic and comforting delicacy

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 4-6

Kabsa is a traditional recipe that combines the rich flavors of spices with the fluffy texture of rice, creating a dish that will delight your senses. This meal is often considered the culinary pride of the region, and the chicken version adds an extra layer of flavor, making it perfect for family meals or special occasions.

Ingredients needed:
- 2 cups long-grain rice (American brown or basmati)
- 2 chicken breasts (or a whole chicken, cut into pieces)
- 2 teaspoons chicken spice mix (white pepper, coriander, cardamom)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil (for marinating the chicken)
- Juice of one small lemon (for marinating the chicken)
- 120 g tomato paste
- 2 medium-sized onions, sliced
- 2 teaspoons ground kabsa spice mix (cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, galangal, cumin, pepper, saffron, bay leaves, nutmeg)
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 3-4 pieces of loomi (dried black limes)
- 3-4 teaspoons ketchup (for chicken)
- 4 tablespoons corn oil
- 2-3 tablespoons raisins (soaked in warm water for 15 minutes)
- 3-4 carrots for chicken soup
- 1 whole medium onion for chicken soup
- 4 cups of broth from boiling the chicken, strained
- Pine nuts (optional)
- Almonds (optional)
- Cashew nuts (optional)

Preparation:

1. Marinating the chicken: Start by preparing the chicken. In a bowl, combine the chicken spices with olive oil and lemon juice. Add the chicken breasts and ensure they are well coated with the marinade. Let the chicken marinate for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator. This step is essential for achieving tender and flavorful meat.

2. Preparing the chicken soup: Peel the carrots and place them in a pressure cooker along with the whole onion and loomi in 2 liters of water. When the water starts to boil, add the chicken breasts cut in half. Boil for 25 minutes. This process will help create a rich broth, which will be the base for the rice.

3. Preparing the oven: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and place it in a heatproof dish. Brush it with ketchup, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with freshly ground pepper. Add a little chicken broth to the dish and place everything in a preheated oven at 220 degrees Celsius. Let it roast for about 20-25 minutes until the skin becomes crispy and golden.

4. Preparing the rice: In a non-stick pot, heat the corn oil and fry the pine nuts, almonds, and cashew nuts until golden. Remove them to a bowl and set aside. In the same pot, sauté the sliced onion until golden, then add the chicken broth, tomato paste, loomi, cloves, kabsa spices, and raisins. When the broth starts to boil, add the rice (which has been parboiled and rinsed beforehand). Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for 25 minutes until the rice absorbs all the flavors.

5. Serving: On a large platter, arrange the rice and place the roasted chicken on top. Garnish with toasted pine nuts, almonds, or cashew nuts. Kabsa is best served alongside a fresh mixed salad or yogurt for a refreshing contrast.

Useful tips:
- You can also use other types of meat, such as lamb or shrimp, adjusting the cooking times accordingly.
- If you don’t have dried limes (loomi), you can substitute with fresh lemon juice, but the flavor won’t be as distinct.
- Store leftover kabsa in the refrigerator for 2-3 days; the taste becomes even more intense as the flavors meld.

Nutritional benefits:
Kabsa is a balanced meal, providing protein from the meat, carbohydrates from the rice, and plenty of vitamins and minerals from the vegetables and spices. The added seeds provide a good source of healthy fats.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use brown rice? Yes, but it will require a longer cooking time.
- Is this recipe suitable for vegans? You can adapt the recipe using vegetables and tofu or tempeh instead of meat.
- What drinks pair best with kabsa? Fresh lemonade or mint tea are excellent choices.

Kabsa with chicken is more than just a meal; it is a culinary experience that transports you to the heart of gastronomic traditions. Each bite envelops you in diverse flavors and textures, turning every meal into a celebration. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: We need: -2 cups of long-grain rice (American brown, basmati) -2 chicken breasts (or a whole chicken) -2 teaspoons of ground chicken seasoning (for marinating the chicken): white pepper, coriander, cardamom -2 teaspoons of olive oil (for marinating the chicken) -juice from one small lemon (for marinating the chicken) -120g tomato paste -2 medium-sized onions, chopped -2 teaspoons of ground kabsa seasoning: cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, galangal (blue ginger), cumin, pepper, saffron, bay leaves, nutmeg -1 teaspoon of whole cloves -3-4 pieces of loomi (dried black lemons) -3-4 teaspoons of ketchup (for the chicken) -4 tablespoons of corn oil -2-3 tablespoons of raisins (soaked in warm water for 15 minutes) -3-4 carrots for chicken soup -1 medium onion whole for chicken soup -4 cups of broth resulting from boiling the chicken, strained -pine nuts (optional) -almond seeds (optional) -cashew nuts (optional)