With this Authentic Saudi Chicken Kabsa, you can turn your next lunch into a feast. Because of the combination of spicy grilled chicken and tasty rice, this dish is ideal for any special event. So, what are you waiting for? Try it right now!
To a pot, add olive oil and your finely diced onions. Brown on medium high heat.
Add the garlic cloves and sauté until fragrant; you can add a spicy pepper here if you like.
Add the chicken and whole spices(preferrably add them in a spice bag so they're easier to discard) and mix together, then sauté for 2–3 minutes, and add the ground spices and mix again.
Add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, pureed tomato, and water.
Mix well, cover, and let it come to a rolling boil for 5 minutes before lowering the heat to medium and letting it simmer for half an hour or until cooked.
Remove the whole spices from the broth and save the remaining broth. Then remove the chicken and add it to a pan or air fryer to crisp up. I broiled for a few minutes.
For the Rice
Add it to a pot along with the salt and the broth. If not enough broth is left, top the remaining amount with water.
Let it come to a rolling boil for 5 minutes before covering and simmering on low for 15-20 minutes.
Transfer the cooked rice to a large serving platter and place the chicken on top of it. You can also garnish with freshly chopped parsley, toasted almonds, or pine nuts if you want to add some crunchy texture.
To achieve rice perfection, use the ideal water ratio of 2 cups of water to 1 cup of rice. Avoid using too much water, which can result in a mushy texture.
If you feel your rice is under-cooked, a simple trick is to add a touch of water and allow it to steam on medium heat. This gentle process can perform wonders.
Retain the juiciness of your chicken by cooking it with the skin intact. Before steaming the rice, you can opt to remove the skin. For those leaning towards grilling or frying, the skin adds a wonderful crispy layer.
Add the whole spices to a spice bag to make them easier to discard after cooking!