Saudi-Style Chicken ’n Rice- Zourbian

This Saudi Arabian dish is tasty and wholesome and quite simple to prepare. If desired, lamb may be used as a substitute for the chicken.

SERVES: 6

PREP TIME: 40 minutes

SOAKING TIME: 5 minutes

COOKING TIME: 1 hour 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 lbs (1 kg) bone-in chicken pieces, cut into 2 to 4-in (5 to 10-cm) sections
• 1 teaspoon salt dissolved in 4 cups (1 liter) water
• 1 cup (200 g) uncooked Basmati or other white long-grain rice, soaked for 5 minutes, thoroughly rinsed and drained
• 4 tablespoons oil
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup (250 g) store-bought or Homemade Plain Yogurt
• 1 tablespoon peeled and grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Generous pinch of saffron dissolved in 1/2 cup (125 ml) water

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a medium saucepan with a lid, bring the bone-in chicken pieces and the salted water to a boil. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 30 minutes. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and set it aside.
2. Add the rinsed and drained rice to the saucepan with the chicken broth. Bring it to a boil and cook, uncovered, over medium-low heat for 10 minutes. Drain the rice and set it aside.
3. Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat and sauté the thinly sliced onion for 10 minutes. Transfer the sautéed onion to a 2-quart (2-liter) casserole dish with a cover.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the yogurt, grated ginger, ground cardamom, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and cumin. Add the chicken pieces to the yogurt mixture and gently coat the chicken evenly.
6. Place the chicken and any remaining yogurt mixture over the cooked onion in the casserole dish. Cover with the cooked rice. Drizzle the dissolved saffron all across the top of the rice.
7. Cover the casserole dish and bake for 40 minutes, or until the rice is done and the chicken is fully cooked.
8. Serve directly from the casserole, enjoying the aromatic flavors of this delicious chicken and rice dish.