Bahraini Spiced Chicken Machboos
Bahraini Spiced Chicken Machboos is a fragrant and hearty one-pot meal that highlights the rich culinary traditions of Bahrain and the Gulf region. This delicious dish features tender chicken marinated in a vibrant blend of spices, including baharat, turmeric, and cumin, simmered to perfection with aromatic basmati rice. With the additional flavors of tomatoes, coriander, and dried black limes, every bite is a celebration of spices and textures. Perfect for family gatherings or festive occasions, this dish is sure to please both the palate and the senses. Serve it hot and enjoy the explosion of flavors that makes Bahraini cuisine truly unique.
N/A
Servings
600
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
water
4 1/2 cups (Heated)
basmati rice
650 g (Washed and soaked for 10 minutes)
tomatoes
3 (Quartered)
chicken
1 - 1 1/2 kg (Cut in half)
onions
3 (Finely chopped)
coriander leaves
1/4 cup (Chopped)
green hot pepper
1 (As desired)
black dried limes
2 (Punctured)
baharat spice mix
2 teaspoons (Mixed with other spices)
turmeric powder
1 1/2 teaspoons (N/A)
cumin powder
1 teaspoon (N/A)
cinnamon powder
2 teaspoons (N/A)
cardamom powder
1 teaspoon (N/A)
garlic cloves
2 (Minced)
gingerroot
1 slice (Cut into small pieces)
butter
3 tablespoons (Cut into pieces)
lemon juice
1/4 cup (N/A)
rose water
3 tablespoons (N/A)
oil
3 tablespoons (N/A)
salt
3 teaspoons (N/A)
Instructions
1
Start by cutting the chicken in half, and set it aside. In a small bowl, combine the baharat spice mix, turmeric, cumin, cardamom, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Rub this spice mixture evenly over the chicken halves.
2
In a large cooking pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until golden brown. Next, incorporate the green hot pepper and the dried black limes, making sure to puncture each lime with a sharp knife to release their flavor.
3
Introduce the marinated chicken into the onion mixture, turning the pieces to coat them well with spices. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of cinnamon over the chicken, combine everything thoroughly, cover the pan, and allow it to cook on medium heat for 3 minutes.
4
Add the minced garlic, chopped ginger, and quartered tomatoes to the pan. Stir the mixture a few times to combine, then cover and let it cook for another 3 minutes. After that, add the remaining salt and pour in the heated water.
5
Cover the pan again and let it simmer for about 1 hour, or until the chicken is fully cooked. Stir in the chopped coriander leaves about 5 minutes before removing the chicken from the pan.
6
Once cooked, remove the chicken and place it on a baking tray. Brush with oil and sprinkle the remaining cinnamon over it, then grill in the oven until the chicken turns golden brown.
7
Meanwhile, wash the basmati rice thoroughly under cold water and soak for 10 minutes before draining.
8
In the same pan with the remaining chicken stock, add the soaked rice and stir gently. Cook on low heat until the rice absorbs the liquid and is nearly cooked through.
9
Drizzle the rose water and lemon juice over the partially cooked rice, then place small pieces of butter on top. Cover the pan and let it cook on low heat for an additional 30 minutes.
10
To serve, mound the flavored rice onto a large serving platter and place the grilled chicken halves on top. Garnish with additional coriander if desired.
Nutrition Information
20 g
Fat
87 g
Carbs
33 g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bahraini Spiced Chicken Machboos?
It is a fragrant and hearty one-pot meal from Bahrain featuring tender chicken marinated in spices like baharat, turmeric, and cumin, served with aromatic basmati rice.
What are the primary ingredients in this dish?
The main ingredients include chicken, basmati rice, tomatoes, onions, coriander, black dried limes, and a variety of spices including baharat, turmeric, cumin, and cinnamon.
How do you prepare the chicken for Machboos?
The chicken is cut in half and rubbed with a mixture of baharat spice mix, turmeric, cumin, cardamom, and salt before being sautéed and simmered.
What type of rice is used in Bahraini Machboos?
Basmati rice is used, which should be washed thoroughly and soaked for 10 minutes before cooking.
How are the black dried limes prepared?
The black dried limes should be punctured with a sharp knife to release their unique citrusy flavor into the dish.
What is the purpose of the baharat spice mix?
Baharat is a traditional Gulf spice blend that provides the signature warm and complex flavor profile essential to the chicken marinade.
How long should the chicken simmer?
The chicken should simmer in the spiced liquid for about 1 hour or until it is fully cooked through.
Why is the chicken grilled after simmering?
After simmering, the chicken is brushed with oil and grilled in the oven to give it a golden brown color and a crispy texture.
What is the role of rose water in this recipe?
Rose water is drizzled over the rice during the final stages of cooking to add a delicate, floral aroma that is characteristic of Bahraini cuisine.
How much water is needed to cook the rice?
The recipe calls for 4 1/2 cups of heated water, which becomes the chicken stock used to cook the rice.
When should the coriander leaves be added?
Chopped coriander leaves are stirred into the pan about 5 minutes before removing the chicken, and can also be used as a final garnish.
How many calories are in a serving of this Machboos?
A serving of Bahraini Spiced Chicken Machboos contains approximately 600 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides about 33 grams of protein.
How many grams of fat are in this dish?
There are approximately 20 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count for this recipe?
One serving contains about 87 grams of carbohydrates.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the dish?
Yes, the spiciness can be adjusted by adding more or less green hot pepper as desired.
When do I add the garlic and ginger?
Minced garlic and chopped ginger are added to the pan after the chicken has cooked with the onion and spices for the first 3 minutes.
How are the onions prepared?
Three onions should be finely chopped and sautéed in oil until they reach a golden brown color.
What happens to the tomatoes in this recipe?
Three tomatoes are quartered and added to the pan to cook with the chicken and aromatics.
How long does the rice steam at the end?
The rice is covered and cooked on low heat for an additional 30 minutes after adding the rose water, lemon juice, and butter.
Is butter used in the rice?
Yes, small pieces of butter are placed on top of the partially cooked rice before the final steaming to add richness.
What is the weight of the chicken used?
The recipe requires between 1 and 1.5 kilograms of chicken.
How much basmati rice is needed?
The recipe uses 650 grams of basmati rice.
What temperature should the water be when added?
The water should be heated before being poured into the pan to simmer the chicken.
How is the dish served?
The flavored rice is mounded onto a large platter, and the grilled chicken halves are placed on top, garnished with coriander.
Is this dish suitable for festive occasions?
Yes, it is a perfect dish for family gatherings or festive occasions due to its rich flavors and impressive presentation.
What spice is sprinkled on the chicken before grilling?
The remaining cinnamon powder is sprinkled over the oil-brushed chicken before it is grilled in the oven.
Are there any specific preparation tips for the ginger?
The gingerroot should be cut into small pieces or minced before being added to the pan.
What makes Bahraini cuisine unique in this dish?
The unique combination of dried black limes (loomi), rose water, and the specific baharat spice blend creates the distinct Bahraini flavor.
Is this a one-pot meal?
Yes, while the chicken is finished in the oven, the entire base of the dish is cooked in a single large cooking pan.