Kabsa Recipe

Kabsa Recipe is a popular Arab Recipe and is claimed to be National dish of Saudi Arabia, Al Kabsa is made with fragrant kabsa rice and perfectly spiced chicken. This popular Middle Eastern one-pot meal is made with simple ingredients like rice, cooked with tomatoes, dried lime, and spices which is then topped with a grilled chicken. It is a popular Arab recipe which make a comforting yet festive rice dish.

Kabsa Recipe

Arab Kabsa is one recipe which was requested so many time in my blog. And i have never tasted that before. So I was putting it on the side burner. But finally few years back during my trip to Dubai, I had so many plates of kabsa. Now I can confidently cook at home and share with you all. 

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• About Chicken Kabsa Recipe
• Kabsa Ingredients
• Step by Step Pictures
• FAQ
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About Chicken Kabsa Recipe

Al kabsa also called in many other names like mandi, kabsa rice, chicken kabsa in different parts of the world. Chicken Kabsa is usually made with rice (usually basmati or long-grain rice), meat (beef kabsa - very popular), vegetables, and a mixture of spices. There are many kinds of kabsa and each one is made unique with its own flavor.

Kabsa is a mixed rice dish which is flavoured with pureed tomatoes, spices, dried lime, cooked in a chicken broth and topped with grilled chicken. Traditionally it is served on a big platter, family style.

The dish is originated in Yemen but is commonly made all over middle east. It is also popular all over Iran, Israel and India too. One of the best accompaniment for kabsa is garlic sauce or toum.

Pre-mixed kabsa spice mix are now available specially in middle eastern stores. It reduce preparation time. The spices used in kabsa is the main ingredients for authentic kabsa  taste.

They are generally black pepper, cloves, cardamom pods, saffron, cinnamon, black lime, bay leaves and nutmeg.

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One of the main spice blend used in kabsa is called as baharat. I made homemade kabsa spice mix to give authentic taste. You can buy them readymade in stores, specially middle eastern stores or online. 

The main ingredient that provides flavor is the meat. Traditionally chicken, goat, lamb, camel, beef is used. In chicken kabsa, a whole chicken is used which gives intense taste.

Homemade Kabsa Spice Mixture (Baharat)

This is the main ingredient which flavors the kabsa rice. It is very easy to make. Take all the ingredients except ginger powder in a pan and roast on low heat till golden. Add in ginger powder and saute for 20 more seconds. Now let them cool a bit, add it in a blender and powder it finely. Spread on a plate and let them cool a bit. Store in an air tight container.

• Cinnamon - 5 cm piece
• Dry Red Chilli - 8
• Kashmiri Dry Red Chillies - 8
• Cardamom - 10
• Cloves - 10
• Whole Coriander Seeds - 1 tblspn
• Nutmeg - 1 tblspn
• Whole Black Pepper - 2 tblspn
• Cumin Seeds - 1 tblspn
• Dry Ginger Powder 1 tblspn

Kabsa Ingredients

• Rice - Basmati rice or long-grain rice is used in kabsa making. Short-grain is not preferred.
• Onions - sliced onions adds sweetness when fried gives unique aroma.
• Garlic - chop garlic and add with onions when frying. You can add some ginger too.
• Tomatoes - chopped tomatoes and tomato paste add intense flavour to the kabsa.
• Spices - assorted whole spices and baharat spice mix is used in flavouring kabsa
• Carrots - grated carrots sauted in ghee add the sweet taste to kabsa.
• Dried fruits & Nuts - peeled cut almonds and raisins are main garnish in kabsa.
• Chicken - use bone-in whole chicken with skin on for flavour.

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Step by Step Pictures

Pre-preparation

1)Wash and soak basmati rice for 1 hour.

2)Soak almonds in hot water, we will be using it for garnish.

Making Chicken Stock

3)Heat a large pan with oil. Add in sliced onions in the hot oil and cook until golden.

4)Add garlic, you can use ginger too. Saute until raw smell leaves from garlic.

3)Add salt once onions turn slightly golden brown.

4)Now onions are caramelized.

5) Now add in chicken skin side down and sear it for 5 mins on each side.

6)You should get a bit of colour on the chicken which adds so much flavor in the dish.

6)Now we are going to add all ingredients one by one. Add in chopped tomatoes. Instead of chopped you can add pureed tomatoes.

7)Add in baharat spice mix.

8)Add tomato paste.

9)Add in all the whole spices.

10)You have to add dried lime or orange zest. This is main ingredient.

11)Pour water and bring it to a full boil.

12)Bring it to a boil, cover and simmer for 30 to 40 mins till the chicken is cooked completely.

13)Now the chicken is cooked and the stock is super flavorful.

Removing Chicken

14)Remove the chicken along using tongs.

15)Now preheat oven to 250 degree C. Set oven to grill or broil mode. Line a baking tray with foil and grease it well with oil. Place chicken on a foil lined baking tray and set aside.

Saute Carrots

16)Heat some 2 tblspn ghee in a pan.

17) add in grated carrots.

18)and saute it for 5 mins. Set this aside.

Cooking Kabsa Rice

19)Now add the drained basmati rice into the liquid.

20)Add in sauted carrots and mix well.

21)Cook on high heat till everything comes to a boil.

22)Now cover with a tight lid or a foil and a lid and simmer it for 20 to 30 mins till the rice has absorbed all the liquid.

23)Once the rice is cooked, Fluff it with a fork. Cover and set aside for 30 mins.

Grilling chicken

24)Now take the cooked chicken and arrange it skin side up on a baking tray. Sprinkle the top with some more baharat and drizzle some oil over it.

25)Pop it into the oven and grill for 5 mins or so till the skin is crispy.

Make garnish

26)Now peel off the almonds and slice it. Take raisins.

27)heat some ghee in a pan, add in almonds and fry till golden.

28)Once almonds get golden and toasted. Add in raisins and saute till golden.

29)This is your garnish.

Plating kabsa

30)Spoon rice onto a serving plate.

31) place the broiled chicken on top of rice and sprinkle with nuts. Enjoy.

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Expert Tips

• The main flavouring the rice. So use a good quality rice. Short-grain rice is not used for making kabsa. So either use  long-grain rice or basmati rice. 
• I used my homemade baharat spice mix. You can either make it your own or buy from shop. 
• The main flavouring for kabsa rice is dried lemon and the baharat spice mix. 
• Be generous with the garnish, raisins, carrots adds sweet taste to the kabsa. 
• Make sure to use bone-in chicken which adds flavour to the stock in which the rice cooks. 

Storage & Serving

Kabsa is usually served with toum (garlic mayo), fresh tomato sauce or tomato salad. For a satisfying full kabsa experience, Enjoy kabsa with Arabian pulpy grape juice or lemon juice.

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FAQ

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