Description
Chicken Maqluba is a traditional Middle Eastern dish featuring layers of tender chicken, fragrant spiced rice, and a colorful assortment of vegetables, all cooked together and then flipped upside down for a stunning presentation. This flavorful and aromatic dish is a showstopper at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 2 pounds bone-in chicken pieces (thighs or drumsticks)
Rice:
- 2 cups basmati rice (rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes)
Vegetables:
- 1 large eggplant (sliced into 1/2-inch rounds)
- 1 large potato (sliced into 1/4-inch rounds)
- 1 large carrot (sliced)
- 1 small onion (quartered)
- 2 tomatoes (sliced)
Other:
- 5 cups water
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley and toasted almonds or pine nuts for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: In a large pot, combine the chicken, onion, spices, salt, pepper, and water. Simmer until chicken is cooked. Remove chicken and strain the broth.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Fry eggplant, potatoes, and carrots until golden. Drain on paper towels.
- Assemble the Maqluba: Layer tomatoes, chicken, fried vegetables, and rice in a pot. Pour broth over the rice. Simmer until rice is cooked.
- Flip and Serve: Let the dish rest, then invert onto a serving platter. Garnish and serve warm.
Notes
- Use a nonstick or well-oiled pot to prevent sticking when flipping.
- You can use lamb or make a vegetarian version with vegetables and broth.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
