5 from 2 votes
Easy Al Kabsa Traditional Saudi Rice
Perfect for any time of day, this recipe delivers great flavor effortlessly.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 10 mins
Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
Servings:
8
Calories:
656 kcal
Course:
Others
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken cut into 8 big chunks
- 4 Tbsp butter or olive oil
- 3 lbs chicken cut into big chunks
- 6 garlic minced or chopped, cloves
- 1 onion chopped finely, large
- 3 carrot peeled and grated
- ¼ cup tomato puree
- 14 ounces tomato or 1 can diced tomatoes with liquid, fresh, chopped
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp nutmeg grated
- 1 cinnamon stick whole
- 3 cloves whole
- 2 bay leaf
- salt freshly ground
- black pepper freshly ground
- 1 chicken stock cube
- 3½ cups water hot
- 2 cups basmati rice no pre-soaking or rinsing
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup almonds slivered and toasted
Al Kabsa Spices
- ½ tsp green cardamom pods ground
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- ½ tsp saffron threads
- ½ tsp dried whole lime see notes & tips, ground
Instructions
- Combine the Al Kabsa spice mix in a bowl and set aside.
- Use a Dutch oven (iron pot) or large stockpot to melt the butter in.
- Sauté the onion in the butter till slightly soft, then add the garlic and chicken pieces.
- Stir until the chicken browns.
- Turn the heat down a bit, then add the tomato puree, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves. Simmer for a few minutes.
- Add the canned or fresh tomatoes and carrots.
- Add the cloves, the ground limes, and the Al Kabsa spice mix.
- Add the salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook for 5 – 10 minutes.
- Dissolve the stock cube in the heated water and add to the pot.
- Stir the pot now and again until it boils. Turn the heat down, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Now add the rice slowly and stir with care.
- With the lid back on, simmer for another 20 minutes or until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Add the raisins and another spot of hot water. Cover again and cook a few more minutes on low heat. When the rice grains are tender but still separate, your dish is done.
- Put the rice on a large serving dish with the chicken pieces on top. Garnish with the toasted almonds and some fresh coriander leaves.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
656kcal
(33%)
Carbohydrates
49g
(16%)
Protein
36g
(72%)
Fat
35g
(54%)
Saturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
7g
(41%)
Monounsaturated Fat
17g
(85%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
124mg
(41%)
Sodium
268mg
(11%)
Potassium
676mg
(14%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
4158IU
(83%)
Vitamin C
12mg
(13%)
Calcium
91mg
(9%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 656
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 656kcal | 33% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 36g | 72% |
| Fat | 35g | 54% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7g | 41% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 124mg | 41% |
| Sodium | 268mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 676mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 4158IU | 83% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 91mg | 9% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.