Chicken Makbous Recipes

CHICKEN MACHBOOS (BAHRAINI SPICED CHICKEN AND RICE)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and fry the chicken pieces on both sides until the skin is brown and crispy. Transfer the chicken to a plate and leave the remaining oil in the Dutch oven.
• Add the ghee (or butter), reduce the heat to medium, and fry the onions until starting to brown, about 10-12 minutes.
• Add the ginger, garlic, and green chile pepper and saute for another 2 minutes.
• Add the baharat and turmeric and cook for another minute.
• Return the chicken pieces to the Dutch oven along with the tomatoes, dried limes, cardamom pods, cinnamon, ground cloves and salt. Add the chicken stock and stir to combine. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for one hour.
• Add the cilantro, parsley and drained rice and stir to combine. Return it to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for another 15-20 minutes until the rice is done and has absorbed the liquid.
• Transfer the chicken and rice to a serving dish (either leave the chicken pieces tossed in with the rice, or place the chicken on top of the rice), and sprinkling with 1-2 tablespoons of rosewater (optional).
• Serve with a green salad and yogurt raita.

CHICKEN MAJBOOS RECIPE

Steps:

• Turn on the heat. Put the chicken in the cooking pot and add water. Let the chicken boil.
• While the chicken is boiling, remove the excess fats from the chicken.
• Once the excess fats are removed, add the spices, onion, and garlic into the boiling pot. Let it boil for 45 minutes or until the chicken is soft.
• Remove the onion, garlic, and other solid ingredients. Separate them from the Chicken Stock for later use
• Now you have the stock. Put the basmati or long-grain rice into the stock. If the stock is not enough, add more water.
• While the rice is boiling. Add oil in the separate pan, and fry chicken to have a nice brown crispy texture
• When the rice is already cooked, put the chicken on the top of the rice. Mix them well with the rice before serving. Garnished with parsley

CHICKEN MAKBOUS

Steps:

• Make the Cornish game hens: Preheat oven to 500 degrees. In a large stockpot, bring stock, onions, garlic, peppercorns, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, 3 teaspoons salt, and 8 cups water to a simmer over medium-high heat.
• Season hens with salt and pepper and place into the simmering poaching liquid, adding more water, if necessary, to cover hens. Poach for 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove hens from poaching liquid and place them breast-side up on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet fitted with a wire rack. Strain poaching liquid, reserving 5 cups for couscous.
• In a small bowl, stir to combine ghee, loumi, coriander, ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Brush ghee mixture all over the poached hens, then transfer to oven. Roast until skin is crisp and deep golden brown, about 8 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
• Make the couscous: In a large straight-sided skillet, heat ghee over medium. Add garlic, leeks, onion, thyme, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cardamom, and cayenne; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in split peas and 5 cups reserved poaching liquid; bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, then stir in couscous and cook until al dente, about 15 minutes. Fold in spinach and season with salt and pepper.
• Halve hens through the breast and backbones, if desired. Spoon couscous onto a serving platter and top with hens.