Saudi Chicken Kabsa
Basmati rice cooked in a spiced tomato and chicken broth, with raisins and toasted almonds. Makes 10 servings.
Kabsa is a rice dish closely associated with Saudi Arabia, with variations from family to family. In this version, the chicken and rice cook in the same pot so the rice absorbs the aromatic broth.
Ingredient allergens
Allergen listDocumented presence
-
Tree nuts
Sliced almonds
Ingredients without verified allergen data 21
Ingredients without verified allergen data: Cut-up chicken, Butter, Onion, Garlic, Tomato purée, Canned chopped tomatoes, Carrot, Cloves, Ground nutmeg, Ground cumin, Ground coriander, Ground black pepper, Saffron, Ground green cardamom, Ground cinnamon, Ground allspice, Ground dried black lime, Water, Chicken stock cube, Basmati rice, Raisins.
Method
- 01
Brown the chicken
Melt the butter in a large pot. Add the chicken, onion, and garlic, and cook until the onion is tender and the chicken is browned.
Ready to continue when: The onion is tender and the chicken has browned in places.
- 02
Make the spiced broth
Stir in the tomato purée, chopped tomatoes with their liquid, carrot, cloves, nutmeg, cumin, coriander, black pepper, saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, allspice, and dried lime. Add the water and stock cube. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
Ready to continue when: The broth simmers gently under the lid and the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
30 min - 03
Cook the rice
Add the basmati rice and stir gently. Cover again and simmer for 35–40 minutes; add the raisins during the final 10 minutes of cooking.
Ready to continue when: The rice is tender and has absorbed the broth; the raisins are soft but still hold their shape.
40 min - 04
Serve
Transfer the rice to a serving platter, arrange the chicken on top, and finish with the toasted slivered almonds.
Ready to continue when: The chicken is arranged over the rice and the toasted almonds are scattered on top.
Ingredients
Sources and review
Content researched, cross-checked and automatically validated. Sources consulted:
- Higiene de los alimentos www.aesan.gob.es/seguridad-alimentaria/higiene-alimentos
- Natural radioactivity level of clay, ceramic, and stone cooking dishes in Saudi Arabia — Academic Journals doi.org/10.5897/ijps2016.4527
- Saudi Arabian cuisine - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabian_cuisine
- International Cooking: Food from Saudi Arabia - The Flavor Vortex www.theflavorvortex.com/international-cooking-food-from-saudi-arabia/
- Unique Flavours of Saudi Arabia www.jackiecameron.co.za/foodie-blog/unique-flavours-of-saudi-arabia
- Top 10 Saudi Arabian foods – with recipes | Expatica www.expatica.com/sa/lifestyle/food-drink/saudi-arabia-food-2173219/
- Antes de ir a YouTube www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPXxNwplOM5mXFUZgDu2e2-lBIW3HGurd
- Top 10 Saudi Arabia Traditional Food Guide - Authentic Dishes You Must Try almaqamtransport.com/saudi-arabia-traditional-food/
- Al Kabsa The national dish of Saudi Arabia - International Cuisine www.internationalcuisine.com/al-kabsa/
- Saleeg - Every Little Crumb everylittlecrumb.com/saleeg/
- Saudi Arabia’s National Dish and Desert Traditions | Remitly www.remitly.com/blog/en-au/food/national-dish-of-saudi-arabia/
- Saudi Arabian Kabsa {Chicken and Rice} marocmama.com/saudi-arabian-kabsa-chicken-and-rice/
- El plato típico de Arabia Saudí, una preparación que destaca por sus especias y es considerado un emblema nacional - Infobae www.infobae.com/espana/2026/06/21/el-plato-tipico-de-arabia-saudita-una-preparacion-que-dest…
State: Published after documentary validation; no “Tested” label is shown.