Kabsa is an amazingly flavored rice dish that can be made with chicken, beef or lamb. An aromatic rice pilaf one pot meal from the gulf area.
It is like having a flavorful rice and chicken kebab, all made in one pot. An exotic Saudi rice dish served with raisins and almonds.

Kabsa Recipe

This crowd-pleaser recipe is often the centerpiece of celebrations on the Arabian Peninsula.
Kabsa is a traditional Saudi dish – and some people say it was originated from Yemen- that consists mainly of rice and meat. A deliciously spiced chicken and rice dinner usually made with lamb meat but you can use beef/chicken as well. I’ve seen Kabsa for the first time in my life when I was in Saudi Arabia and it was made at a wedding banquet. It is usually served in large plates with a big chunk of lamb meat on top of rice. Kabsa is better be eaten- according to Saudi traditions- in large group of people while sitting on the floor and usually with no spoons as they prefer to eat it with right hands or at least this was what I’ve experienced.
Today I’m going to make Chicken Kabsa. It is one of our family’s fav. dishes of all time. This dish can be made with bone-in or boneless chicken so feel free to use whatever best for your family, although I feel it is tastier with bone in chicken I’ve used boneless chicken so my kids won’t nag me about it.

Chicken Kabsa FAQs

How to make kabsa?

Kabsa in the instant pot

To make this recipe in the instant pot, start with the IP on the saute option and follow the steps exactly until you add the rice and check the seasoning. Close the lid and turn it ob pressure cook for 10 minutes. Now there is one problem in this, it might give you the burn warning. I used 1.5 cups of water for 1 cup of rice. This ratio is high as most people recommend 1:1. My IP did not give me the burn warning, rice was a little bit mushy but no one complained. I’ve had a dear follower who did the recipe and it gave them the burn warning. So they just turned their pot off, scraped the bottom then turned it on again and it worked.

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Chicken Kabsa Recipe

A flavorful one pot chicken and rice recipe for an easy weeknight dinner. If you like the recipe, please do not forget to give it a 5 star rating.

5 from 1 vote

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One pot Middle Eastern chicken and rice (kabsa)

Calories: 270.1 kcal

Author: Amira

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons (36g) ghee/butter or oil.
• 1/2 Tablespoon (3g) dry ground coriander.
• 1/2 Tablespoon (3g) paprika.
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves.
• 1 cinnamon stick.
• 3 cardamom pods.
• 2 bay leaves.
• 1 dry lime. Note1
• 1 garlic clove crushed.
• 1 (280g) Large onion , diced.
• 1 1/2 pound skinless boneless chicken thighs. Note2
• 1 cup (200g) basmati rice, soaked in tap water for 15 minutes.
• 2 Tablespoons (40g) tomato paste.
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt or to your liking. I’ve used pink sea salt.
• 2 cups water or chicken stock. Note3

Instructions

1. n a non stick deep skillet, heat ghee, add all the spice and stir for 2 minutes or until fragrant.
2. Add garlic and stir for 20 seconds then add diced onion and stir for 3 more minutes.
3. Add chicken pieces and cook for about 3 minutes, tuning to the other side halfway through.
4. Add rice, tomato paste and salt then stir everything well to distribute tomato paste evenly.
5. Pour water and bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and continue to cook on low for 30 minutes or until water is absorbed.
6. Turn heat off, uncover and let it set for a couple of minutes.
7. Fluff with a fork and serve.

Recipe Notes

Note1: It is highly recommended to use dry limes, you can easily purchase this from any Middle East store. If you cannot find it, then feel free to skip it.

Note2: Use any sort of chicken you have. Feel free to use bone-in, skin on chicken pieces. I also made it with Cornish chicken and it was delicious.

Note3: In my little home we like rice more with water than cooked with stock, but you can use stock for more flavor.

Nutrition Facts

One pot Middle Eastern chicken and rice (kabsa)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 270.1 Calories from Fat 131

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 14.5g 22%

Cholesterol 120mg 40%

Sodium 347.3mg 14%

Potassium 158.9mg 5%

Total Carbohydrates 13.4g 4%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 2.3g

Protein 20.9g 42%

Vitamin A 15.2%

Vitamin C 9.1%

Calcium 2.1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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