Kabsa(Saudi Chicken And Rice Skillet)
A flavorful Saudi chicken and rice skillet with aromatic spices, tender chicken, and garnishes of raisins and almonds, perfect for hearty family meals or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine ⓘ
- 1 (2-1/2 to 3 lb.) chicken, cut up ⓘ
- 1 large onion, chopped ⓘ
- 5 garlic cloves, minced ⓘ
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce or puree ⓘ
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped ⓘ
- 2 medium carrots, grated
- Grated peel of 1 orange ⓘ
- 3 whole cloves ⓘ
- 2 cardamom pods or 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom seeds ⓘ
- 1 cinnamon stick ⓘ
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste ⓘ
- 3 cups chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 cup long-grain rice ⓘ
- 1/4 cup raisins ⓘ
- 1/4 cup toasted sliced or slivered almonds ⓘ
Instructions
- Melt butter or margarine in a large skillet.
- Add chicken pieces and sauté until browned and cooked through.
- Add chopped onion and cook until tender.
- Stir in tomato sauce or puree and simmer over low heat for 1 minute to blend flavors.
- Add chopped tomatoes, grated carrots, orange peel, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon stick, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth.
- Return chicken pieces to the skillet.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover.
- Simmer for 30 minutes.
- Stir in rice into the liquid around the chicken pieces.
- Alternatively, remove the chicken, stir in rice, then return chicken to the skillet.
- Cover tightly and simmer for another 30 minutes or until rice is tender.
- Carefully fluff the rice and garnish with raisins and toasted almonds before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in yogurt and spices the night before. You can substitute the raisins with dried apricots or cranberries for a different sweetness. If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. To save time, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and add it in during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Kabsa with a side of fresh salad or yogurt to balance the spices. It pairs beautifully with Shoestring Chicken Salad for a complete meal. Consider offering pita bread or flatbreads on the side for scooping. Garnish with additional toasted almonds and fresh herbs for an elegant presentation.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent the rice from drying out. You can also microwave individual portions, covered, until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Kabsa(Saudi Chicken And Rice Skillet) contains roughly 1726 calories, with 15g protein, 116g carbohydrates, and 146g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (125% of the Daily Value), iron (72% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (67% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2051mg per serving (89% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice in this recipe?
Yes, but brown rice requires a longer cooking time. Adjust the simmering time to about 45 minutes, and ensure you add enough liquid since brown rice absorbs more. You may need to add an additional half cup of chicken broth.
What can I substitute for chicken if I want a vegetarian version?
For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with chickpeas or assorted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and adjust the spices according to your preference to maintain flavor.
Can I make Kabsa in advance and freeze it?
Yes, you can make Kabsa ahead of time and freeze it. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently before serving.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).