Chicken Machboos (Bahraini Chicken and Rice)

Name: Chicken Machboos (Bahraini Chicken and Rice)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 45 min
Total time: 1 h 55 min
Yield: 6 serving
Ingredients: 2 large onions; 3 tablespoons ghee or unsalted butter; 1 tablespoon baharat; 1 teaspoon Turmeric; 2 tablespoons oil; 3 pounds combination of chicken thighs, legs and breasts; 1 hot green chili pepper; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger; 5 cloves garlic; 2 large Roma tomatoes; 2-3 persian dried limes/loomi; 5 green cardamom pods; 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves; 1 cinnamon stick; 2 1/2 teaspoons salt; 2 1/2 cups chicken broth; 2 cups basmati rice; 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley; culinary grade rose water; For the Baharat:; 1 tablespoon black peppercorns; 1 tablespoon cumin seeds; 2 teaspoons coriander seeds; 1 cinnamon stick; 1 teaspoon whole cloves; 1/4 teaspoon cardamom seeds; 1 tablespoon paprika; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

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5.0

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Excellent

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 10 mins
Total Time
1 hr 55 mins
Servings
6
Calories
675 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
Middle Eastern

Chicken Machboos (Bahraini Chicken and Rice)

Nevaeh Sloan

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An incredibly delicious and authentic Chicken Machboos, the national dish of Bahrain.

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Ingredients

Servings

2 large onions diced
3 tablespoons ghee or unsalted butter
1 tablespoon baharat , see recipe below
1 teaspoon Turmeric
2 tablespoons oil
3 pounds combination of chicken thighs, legs and breasts
1 hot green chili pepper , e.g., jalapeno, seeded and diced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger , minced
5 cloves garlic , thinly sliced
2 large Roma tomatoes , diced (or 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
2-3 persian dried limes/loomi , several holes punched throughout each one
5 green cardamom pods
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cinnamon stick about 2 inches long
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 cups basmati rice , soaked for at least 15 minutes, then rinsed and drained
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
culinary grade rose water
For the Baharat:
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
2 teaspoons coriander seeds
1 cinnamon stick , about 2 inches long
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon cardamom seeds
1 tablespoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

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Instructions

To make the baharat: Place the whole seeds, cinnamon stick and cloves in a small frying pan and dry roast over medium-high heat, tossing regularly to prevent scorching, for 3-4 minutes or until very fragrant. Transfer to a spice or coffee grinder and let cool. Add the paprika and nutmeg and grind all the ingredients to a fine powder. Store leftover baharat in an airtight jar.
Heat the oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and fry the chicken pieces on both sides until the skin is brown and crispy. Transfer the chicken to a plate and leave the remaining oil in the pot.Add the ghee (or butter), reduce the heat to medium, and fry the onions until starting to brown, about 10-12 minutes. Add the ginger, garlic, and green chile pepper and saute for another 2 minutes. Add the baharat and turmeric and cook for another minute. Return the chicken pieces to the Dutch oven along with the tomatoes, dried limes, cardamom pods, cinnamon, ground cloves and salt. Add the chicken stock and stir to combine. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for one hour.
Add the cilantro, parsley and drained rice and stir to combine. Return it to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for another 15-20 minutes until the rice is done and has absorbed the liquid. Transfer the chicken and rice to a serving dish (either leave the chicken pieces tossed in with the rice, or place the chicken on top of the rice), and sprinkling with 1-2 tablespoons of rosewater.Serve with a green salad and yogurt raita (e.g. cucumber raita).

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Calories 675kcal (34%) Carbohydrates 61g (20%) Protein 29g (58%) Fat 35g (54%) Saturated Fat 11g (55%) Polyunsaturated Fat 6g Monounsaturated Fat 14g Cholesterol 139mg (46%) Sodium 1012mg (42%) Potassium 654mg (19%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 1018IU (20%) Vitamin C 9mg (10%) Calcium 95mg (10%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 675 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories	675kcal	34%
Carbohydrates	61g	20%
Protein	29g	58%
Fat	35g	54%
Saturated Fat	11g	55%
Polyunsaturated Fat	6g	35%
Monounsaturated Fat	14g	70%
Cholesterol	139mg	46%
Sodium	1012mg	42%
Potassium	654mg	14%
Fiber	4g	16%
Sugar	3g	6%
Vitamin A	1018IU	20%
Vitamin C	9mg	10%
Calcium	95mg	10%
Iron	4mg	22%