Lebanese Chicken and Rice (Riz a Djej) - A Traditional Comfort Dish

chicken

🥗Healthier: turkey

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Turkey is leaner, while chicken thighs are more affordable.

almonds

🥗Healthier: walnuts

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Walnuts provide healthy fats, and sunflower seeds are often less expensive.

chicken broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with seasoning

Vegetable broth is lower in calories, and seasoned water is budget-friendly.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while canola oil is usually cheaper.

In a large pot, place the chicken pieces, quartered onion, garlic, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, salt, and pepper. Add enough water to cover the chicken.

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 45 minutes until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

Remove the chicken from the broth and set it aside. Strain and reserve the broth (you'll need it for cooking the rice). You need 3½ cups.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium/high heat. Add the cashews and cook stirring for one minute until starting to become light golden brown, then add the pine nuts and cook for another minute and finally the flaked almonds for 30 seconds. Remove the nuts from the pan and drain on kitchen towel until needed.

In a large pan, heat 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and golden.

Add the ground lamb or beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.

Stir in the Baharat, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper and stir thoroughly so the meat is well coated.

Stir in the rice so it is well combined.

Pour in 3½ cups of the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.

While the rice is cooking, discard the skin of the chicken and pick the meat from the bone, then cover and keep warm.

To serve, place the rice mixture on a large serving platter, top with the chicken pieces, and sprinkle with the toasted nuts.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens