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A platter filled with spiced rice and chicken a dish called Al Kabsa, the national dish of Saudi Arabia.
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Al Kabsa - The national dish of Saudi Arabia

A beautifully spiced chicken and rice dish that is perfect for a crowd. Be sure to make the super spicy shattah sauce to go with it.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Saudi Arabian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 10 people
Calories 538kcal
Author Darlene at International Cuisine

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 3 lbs chicken cut into 8-10 pieces
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/4 cup tomato puree
  • 14 ounces canned chopped tomatoes with liquid (or fresh)
  • 3 carrots grated
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 4 cups hot water
  • 1 chicken stock cube
  • 2 1/4 cups basmati rice don't rinse or soak this
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds toasted

Kabsa Spice Mix

  • 1/2 teaspoon saffron
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground green cardamoms
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground dried limes

Instructions

  • Melt butter in a large stock pot, or dutch oven.
  • Add chicken pieces, onion & garlic & sauté until onion is tender and chicken is browned.
  • Stir in tomato puree & simmer over a low heat for a couple of minutes.
  • Add tomatoes, carrots, cloves, all the spices including the kabsa spice mixuture & salt and pepper.
  • Cook for a couple of minutes.
  • Add the water & chicken stock cube.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover.
  • Simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.
  • Add rice to the pot & stir carefully.
  • Re-Cover & simmer for 35 - 40 minutes - adding the raisins for the last 10 minutes - cook until rice is tender.
  • Place the rice on a large serving dish, topped with the chicken & garnished with almonds.
  • Serve with a hot sauce called 'Shattah'.

Nutrition

Calories: 538kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 307mg | Potassium: 539mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3470IU | Vitamin C: 9.2mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 2.4mg