This right here is one of my favorite Middle Eastern rice dishes. I love the taste of the aromatic spices that goes into it. It is also so simple to make. Yes, every person may have their own way of making it. This is my Mama’s way and we all love it. Since, I am here visiting, I will be sharing recipes from my my Mama throughout the week.
Kabseh (Middle Eastern Rice Dish)
Kabseh is a comforting Middle Eastern rice dish made with aromatic spices, tender chicken, and flavorful rice cooked in rich homemade chicken stock. This family-style recipe is warm, fragrant, and perfect for gatherings, served with toasted nuts, yogurt, and salad.
Serves 10 people
Ingredients
Chicken Preparation
- 2 whole chickens cut into 8 pieces cleaned
- 1 onion cut into 4 pieces
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 dried limes
- 2 stick of cinnamon
- 3 bay leaves
- 6 pieces of cardamon
- 1 whole tomato
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp whole Gram Masala
- Boiled Water to fill the pot
Rice Preparation
- 5 cups rinsed Uncle Ben’s rice
- 10 cups homemade chicken stock
- 2 tbsp ground kabseh spice
- 6 oz can of tomato paste
- Black pepper to taste
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp ghee
Chicken Preparation Part 2
- 1 tbsp garlic power
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp ground chicken spice
- 1 packet Sazon seasoning
- 1 fresh lemon’s juice
- 2 tbsp ketchup/tomato paste
- 1 tbsp barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Clean the chicken to your liking. In a large pot, add all the above spices and cook for a few minutes till lightly browned.
- Then add the chicken pieces to get a nice light brown. Then add the boiled water to cover the chicken completely. Let this cook for about 1 hour + till its cooked.
- Take the chicken out from the water and place in a pan. Set aside. To that chicken stock, add tomato paste and mix.
- In a separate pot, add the rice with the spices and ghee. Mix together on low heat for a few minutes then add the hot chicken stock from the chicken that was cooked prior.
- Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Will take about 20–25 min to cook till all the liquid is absorbed.
- While thats on the stove, to the chicken add the chicken mixture from part 2. Rub well into the chicken.
- Bake chicken at 350 for 5 minutes to warm up and broil for 2 minutes till its a nice golden crisp color.
- To plate, layer the rice with the chicken on top and garnish with toasted almonds/pine nuts.
- Enjoy as is or with some plain yogurt and salad.
Did you try this recipe?Don’t forget to leave a rating and a review!!
Where can we get the kabseh spice?
Hi, any Arabic grocery store should carry it in their spice section. I hope you find it! If you can’t find it, maybe try adding more gram masala spice.
I made this for Ramadan, and the recipe is so easy to follow and it’s so so so delicious!!! Thank you fufu
My pleasure, Gabbie!
This is such a lovely recipe. It smells divine and has become a firm favourite in our home.
Thank you for sharing
For ground chicken spice is there a particular brand you used?
No brand in particular. Whatever you find in your local arabic store is fine!
Omg this kebseh is to die for ❤️❤️❤️
thank you!
Where can I find Sazon seasoning?
And can I used seven spice instead of ground chicken spice
Yes, you can use that as a substitute in this case. Sazon is found in orange packages in almost every supermarket but definitely in the Hispanic section.
My husband and I only like chicken breast. How can we alter the recipe to cook only that instead of the whole chicken?
Hi Faten,
I would do just bone-in chicken breasts then.
My go-to kabseh recipe! It’s flavourful and easy to make, and turns out so lovely! I didn’t have the sazon seasoning as it isn’t popular in the UK it seems, but I found it on Amazon. The only mistake I made the first time was not to strain the chicken stock🤦♀️, but I have learnt since then 😁
I am so glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Made it last night and it came out delicious!
I think some steps are missing because in the video you mention adding carrots but I don’t see on the recipe how many to add and during which step? And also how much jalapeños do you use? This recipe looks amazing and I definitely want to make it but want to make sure I have all the necessary steps haha. Thank you🩵
Hi, please can you tell me whats in the Sazon seasoning so I can find an alternative here 🙂 cant wait to try this!
Hi Emma,
You can replace that with a mix of salt, garlic powder, cumin, coriander, oregano, black pepper, smoked paprika.
Amazing results! Perfect recipe. Made it in Ramadan for a gathering and everyone loved it. The chicken was moist and the rice was super flavourful.