Chicken Kabsa

Chicken Kabsa is a fragrant Saudi Arabian chicken-and-rice dish made with tender chicken drumsticks, basmati rice, tomatoes, and a warming spice blend.

It is a wonderful way to bring Middle Eastern flavors into your kitchen, using everyday ingredients to create a meal that feels a little different from the usual chicken-and-rice recipes.

What makes this dish special is the rice. As it cooks with the seasoned chicken, garlic, onions, and tomato paste, it absorbs all those savory flavors, leaving you with fluffy, aromatic rice and beautifully browned chicken. A little butter adds richness, while the kabsa spice gives the dish its distinctive warmth.

Although Chicken Kabsa is often compared to biryani, the two dishes have their own character. Kabsa is closely associated with Saudi Arabian cuisine and is traditionally prepared by cooking meat and rice with aromatic spices. It is a popular choice for family meals, celebrations, and occasions when everyone gathers around the table.

This homemade Chicken Kabsa recipe uses chicken drumsticks and basmati rice for a satisfying, flavourful meal that doesn’t require elaborate cooking techniques.

Ingredients

Chicken Drumsticks, Butter, Olive Oil, Basmati Rice, Garlic Cloves, Onion, Kabsa spice, Tomato paste, Chicken Stock Cube, Fresh Parsley.

For this dish, choose smaller chicken drumsticks, as they have softer, juicier meat than larger ones. Butter or ghee is a key component for enhancing the flavor of the chicken. Basmati rice is preferred for its thin, slender shape. To add flavor to the rice, garlic cloves and onions are caramelized.

Additionally, tomato paste provides a subtle sweetness to the dish. Kabsa spice, also known as baharat, is a unique blend that imparts a warm, complex flavor. This spice blend is native to the region, and its composition reflects influences from spice trade routes connecting Persia, India, and Saudi Arabia.

What is Kabsa Spice Made Of?

Kabsa Spice is a blend of several herbs and spices, including black lime (known as loomi in the Middle East), which imparts a tangy, slightly bitter flavor. Other ingredients in the blend include cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, cumin, coriander, paprika, and turmeric.

What is the Difference Between Chicken Kabsa and Chicken Machboos?

Chicken Kabsa is a traditional dish from Saudi Arabia that features Kabsa spice. The rice in Kabsa has a strong tomato flavor and tends to be spicier than Machboos. It is often garnished with nuts, raisins, and fried onions.

On the other hand, Chicken Machboos originates from Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain and has a distinctly different flavor profile from Chicken Kabsa. Machboos rice has a strong black lime flavor, and saffron and rose water are often incorporated into the dish. Although the spices used in Machboos are quite similar to those in Kabsa, some people consider them interchangeable. If you can’t find one type of spice, feel free to use the other as a substitute.

Instructions

Wash the basmati rice under running water several times. Rinse and clean the drumsticks.

Chop the onion and garlic. Preheat a pot to medium-high heat. Add the cooking oil and the garlic and onion, and sauté for eight minutes while stirring. Caramelization of the aromatics will add a slight sweet and nutty taste to this dish.

Add the drumsticks to the pot, toss them from the bottom up, and cook the chicken until they become white, then remove them from the pot. This will incorporate the natural chicken flavour from the chicken fat into the spices. Brown the chicken until the skin lightly crisps up. You can do so on a grill pan with lots of butter for more flavour.

At this point, reduce the temperature to low. Add the kabsa spice and tomato paste, and lightly heat it up for 30 seconds, stirring the mixture continuously. Cooking the spices will activate them and add complex layers of flavour to the dish. This is a crucial step to ensure that the rice is fragrant and delicious.

After the rice has soaked for thirty minutes. Drain the water. Adjust the temperature to medium-low, add three cups of water to the pot, and bring it to a boil.

Add the basmati rice, browned chicken drumsticks and cook it for 15 minutes with the lid closed until the rice is cooked. Once the dish is done, gently toss from the bottom up to mix the chicken and the rice together.

Generously place the kabsa rice and chicken on a plate, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve. For a more authentic experience, add some caramelized onions, roasted nuts, and raisins. Once you try this dish, you’ll understand why Chicken Kabsa is something truly special.

The unique flavors of the kabsa spice, combined with chicken cooked in butter, creating a delicious meal. In Saudi Arabia, Chicken Kabsa is commonly enjoyed during festive occasions, such as Eid and family gatherings.

Expert Tips

Rinse the rice well to remove excess surface starch and help the basmati grains stay separate. Don’t skip soaking; soaking the rice for at least 30 minutes helps it absorb water. Gently cook the spices with the tomato paste, butter, and oil to bring out the kabsa spice flavors.

Add the right amount of water to the rice to avoid adding extra liquid. Brown the chicken for more flavor and depth. For crispier skin, grill the drumsticks on a pan with butter or ghee. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), measured at the thickest part without touching the bone.

If you are grilling the chicken separately, allow enough time for it to cook through rather than relying on color alone. Resting for a few minutes after cooking helps the moisture settle and makes the rice easier to fluff.

What is traditionally served with Kabsa?

Kabsa is often served on a large platter, with the meat placed over the rice. Depending on the recipe and occasion, it may be garnished with toasted nuts, raisins, and fried onions, with salad or a spicy tomato sauce served alongside.

Chicken Kabsa is a wonderful recipe to try if you enjoy fragrant rice dishes and want to explore Saudi Arabian flavors. The combination of tender chicken, basmati rice, tomato paste, and warm spices creates a comforting meal without the fuss.

Take your time with the onions, let the spices release their aroma, and keep an eye on the rice as it cooks. Finish with fresh parsley and your favorite garnishes for a generous, flavorful dish that suits a relaxed family dinner as much as a special gathering.

You can also add a light salad such as Red Pepper and Rocket salad or a crunchy Red Radish salad. Balsamic Cucumber Salad with sweet red bell peppers will also work well with the Chicken kabsa.

How to Store and reheat Chicken Kabsa?

Allow the chicken kabsa to cool down to room temperature. Then, transfer the kabsa into an airtight container. It can be stored in the fridge for three to four days or frozen for up to two months. Microwave the chicken kabsa on the medium, setting for two minutes.

Make sure to cover it with a microwave-safe lid while reheating. Transfer the kabsa to a pan and reheat for three minutes, gently tossing the rice to ensure even heating. If the rice looks dry, add two tablespoons of water. Remember to flip the chicken a couple of times to heat it evenly as well.