A complex and intense baharat spice blend infuses roast chicken and basmati rice. I made the spice blend similar to the combinations from the Gulf region by adding spices like loomi (dried lime). Keep this spice mix handy to add to soups, too.
Prep Time::30 mins
Cook Time:: 1 hr 20 mins
Additional Time:: 4 hrs
Total Time:: 5 hrs 50 mins
Servings::5
Ingredients
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Baharat Spice Blend:
1 ½ tablespoons strong paprika
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon cumin
¾ tablespoon ground coriander
¾ tablespoon ground loomi (dried lime)
½ tablespoon sumac powder
¼ tablespoon ground cinnamon
¼ tablespoon ground cloves
¼ tablespoon ground nutmeg
5 green cardamom pods, crushed
2 black cardamom pods, crushed
Chicken and Rice:
½ bunch fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ fresh lemon, juiced
2 chicken thighs
2 chicken legs
1 chicken breast
1 ½ cups brown basmati rice
¼ cup raw cashews
¼ cup shelled raw almonds
¼ cup golden raisins
⅛ cup shelled raw pistachio nuts
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 shallot, diced
1 cup chicken broth
Directions
Make spice blend: Mix together paprika, black pepper, cumin, coriander, loomi, sumac, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, green cardamom, and black cardamom in a medium bowl. Set aside.
Make chicken and rice: Combine cilantro, 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon spice blend in a resealable plastic bag. Add chicken thighs, legs, and breast to the bag. Squeeze out excess air, seal the bag, and shake to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Meanwhile, place rice in a large bowl, cover with water, and soak for at least 1 hour. Drain and rinse, then return to the bowl. Add cashews, almonds, raisins, and pistachios to rice. Stir in 1 tablespoon spice blend; mix well and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a Dutch oven or tagine over medium heat. Cook and stir shallot in hot oil until translucent, 1 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat. Stir in rice mixture until well combined.
Remove and discard cilantro from the bag with chicken. Pour marinated chicken on top of rice mixture in the Dutch oven; reserve the bag. Pour broth into the bag, shake gently, and pour over chicken and rice. Cover the Dutch oven.
Bake in the preheated oven until rice is tender, chicken is no longer pink in the center, and the meat juices run clear, about 75 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of chicken should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).