Go Back
–+ servings
Bahraini chicken machboos with spiced rice, roasted chicken, almonds, and dried lime.

Bahraini Chicken Machboos

A Bahraini one-pot rice dish with browned chicken, tomato, warm spices, almonds, and dried black lime.
Servings 6 servings
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Equipment

  • Large heavy pot with lid
  • Rimmed baking sheet
  • Fine-mesh strainer
  • Chef's knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

Chicken and Spiced Broth

  • 1 4-lb whole chicken cut into 8 pieces
  • 3 tbsp neutral oil divided
  • 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • 3 medium ripe tomatoes chopped
  • 2 tbsp Bahraini baharat
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 2 whole dried black limes pierced
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • 6 pods green cardamom lightly crushed
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 5 cups low-sodium chicken stock
  • 2 tsp fine salt divided

Rice and Finish

  • 2 1/2 cups basmati rice rinsed until water runs clear
  • 1/2 cup blanched almonds toasted
  • 2 tbsp fresh coriander roughly chopped
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Build the Broth:

  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Brown the chicken in batches, then set it aside.
  • Cook the onions for 8 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, tomatoes, baharat, turmeric, dried limes, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and 1 teaspoon salt; cook for 5 minutes.
  • Return the chicken, add stock, cover, and simmer gently for 35 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and strain 4 cups of broth, reserving the onion-tomato mixture.

Cook the Rice:

  • Return the reserved onion-tomato mixture and 4 cups broth to the pot. Stir in the rice and remaining salt, bring to a boil, then cover and cook over very low heat for 18 minutes.
  • Remove the rice from the heat and rest, covered, for 10 minutes.

Brown and Serve:

  • Brush the chicken with the remaining tablespoon oil and broil for 4 to 6 minutes until browned at the edges.
  • Fluff the rice, arrange it on a platter, top with chicken, almonds, and coriander, and serve hot.

Notes

  • Bahraini baharat commonly includes black pepper, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, cardamom, and nutmeg.
  • Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm the chicken reaches 165 F (74 C).

Nutrition

Calories: 690kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 43gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 820mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6g
Calories: 690kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Bahraini
Keyword: Bahrain Recipe, Bahraini chicken machboos