“Al Kabsa” or “Kabsa” is a traditional Saudi Arabian rice dish often made with meat, fragrant spices, and vegetables. It’s known for its rich flavors and aromatic spices. Here’s a basic recipe for Al Kabsa:
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- - 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
- - 1 large onion, finely chopped
- - 2 cloves garlic, minced
- - 2 teaspoons Kabsa spice mix (available in stores)
- - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- - Salt and black pepper, to taste
- - Water, for cooking
For the Rice:
- 2 cups Basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes
- - 4–5 cups chicken broth (from cooking the chicken)
- - 2–3 whole cloves
- - 2–3 whole green cardamom pods
- - 2–3 bay leaves
- - Salt, to taste
For Garnish:
- Chopped fresh cilantro and mint leaves
- - Fried almonds and raisins (optional)
Instructions:
- In a large pot, heat oil or ghee over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
2. Add minced garlic and sauté for a minute until fragrant.
3. Add Kabsa spice mix, ground turmeric, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
4. Add the chicken pieces and cook until they’re browned on all sides.
5. Add enough water to cover the chicken. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let the chicken simmer until it’s fully cooked and tender. This will also create a flavorful chicken broth.
6. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and set it aside. Reserve the chicken broth for cooking the rice.
7. In a separate pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add soaked rice, whole cloves, green cardamom pods, bay leaves, and salt. Cook the rice until it’s 70–80% cooked. Drain the rice and set it aside.
8. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
9. In an oven-safe dish, layer the partially cooked rice and the cooked chicken pieces. You can alternate the layers or place the chicken on top of the rice.
10. Cover the dish with aluminum foil or a tight-fitting lid. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20–25 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the rice to fully cook.
11. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before gently fluffing the rice with a fork.
12. Garnish the Al Kabsa with chopped cilantro, mint leaves, and optional fried almonds and raisins.
Serve the Al Kabsa hot and enjoy the authentic flavors of this traditional Saudi Arabian dish!