CHICKEN KABSA

This dish brings back all the memories that i cherish from my childhood. Growing up in Jeddah, the one thing that i absolutely loved abt that place was FOOD! It always will be Food.. they boast of varied delicacies and different cuisines to choose from .. its just as if you've walked into a world full of   flavours rich in color, taste and texture .. ! The plentiful nuts, the uncompromised sweetness, and the unmatched hospitality of Arabs!! 

Good food and Good company .. what else do you desire for ? .. 

Here's bringing back one of the many great flavours  .. Chicken Kabsah

Whole Chicken Legs with/out skin, alternatively you can use Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks. (I used 6 whole chicken legs with the following measurements)🍗🍗

Salt🧂

Ground black pepper

Extra-virgin olive oil

Onions 1 and half chopped finely🧅

Tomatoes 1-2 finely chopped🍅

Garlic pods 3 smashed and finely chopped🧄

Ginger, minced fresh

Cumin powder 1 tsp

Coriander seeds 1tsp roasted and coarsely crushed 

Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp

Tomato paste 3 Tbsp

Carrots 1 cup grated🥕

Fresh Orange Zest🍊

Chicken stock-  Homemade/ store-bought

Cardamom powder 2 tsp

Cinnamon powder 1/2 tsp

1 Dried lemon

4 cloves

3 bay leaves

Long grained basmati rice, soaked for 30 mins

2 cups sunflower/canola oil

1/2 cup each blanched almonds & golden raisins

Lets get cooking 

🟢 Heat a thick bottom pan, add oil, and add sliced onions and fry them till golden brown, add the ginger paste.

Add the whole chicken legs, add in the salt, pepper, cardamom powder, 4 cloves and fresh orange zest & dried lemon. Mix everything really well ..

Once everything is well combined and the kitchen is all aromatic.. now is the time to add in the tomato paste and the chopped tomatoes ..keep cooking till you see oil separating ...once thats done, add chicken stock enough keeping in mind the quantity of rice you'll be  adding in later. 

Let the chicken boil in this flavoured mixture for about 10-15 mins (cooking time of chicken varies from place to place. Here I cook a chicken gravy in 20 min and the meat becomes tender and soft)

After that, take out the chicken pieces, and place them in pre-greased baking tray. I used the roast option on my Ninja Foodi 4 in 1 grill for 15 mins.

Now, the chicken is being cooked, in the stock pot, add in the grated/shredded carrots.. and the pre-soaked long grained basmati rice. Adjust the salt here if needed. Cook rice like normal. Once all the liquid in the pot is almost over, keep it on simmer for 20-30 mins (based on the quantity of rice) 

In a separate pan, heat olive oil, I used ghee or clarified butter for extra taste. Fry the Almonds and Raisins till light brown.

Plate it, Serve it, Devour till the last bite .. ! And spread some love !!