Saudi Chicken Saleeg with Creamy Rice
Chicken simmered in an aromatic broth, roasted until golden, and served over short-grain rice cooked with milk until creamy. Serves 8; preparation time is an estimate.
Saleeg is associated with the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia. This version combines chicken, short-grain rice, and milk, and takes about 60 minutes of preparation and up to 120 minutes of cooking.
Ingredient allergens
Allergen listDocumented presence
-
Milk and milk products
Clarified butter
Ingredients without verified allergen data 16
Ingredients without verified allergen data: Whole chicken, Water, Cardamom, Cloves, Bay leaves, Cinnamon stick, Star anise, Black pepper, Onion, Salt, Allspice, Paprika, Turmeric, Egyptian rice, Strained chicken broth, Whole milk.
Alternatives by dietary restriction
Lactose-free milk
For lactose intolerance
It can replace liquid milk in cooking and baking to reduce lactose. It retains milk proteins, so it does not avoid the milk allergen. Choose a variety suited to the recipe and check the label. Also check other allergens and the risk of cross-contact.
Lactose-free milk retains milk proteins. This option does not address milk allergy.
Allergens to consider in this alternative:
- Milk and milk products
Check the label, other allergens and cross-contact. Replacing one ingredient does not remove allergens elsewhere in the recipe; adjustments depend on the culinary use.
Method
- 01
Cook the chicken and make the broth
Put the chicken in a large pot with the water for the broth, cardamom, cloves, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, star anise, black pepper, onion, and salt. Bring to a boil, skim off any foam, and lower the heat. Cover and simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken and strain the broth; reserve about 7 cups.
Ready to continue when: The chicken is cooked through and the strained broth is set aside.
45 min - 02
Roast the chicken
Preheat the oven to 220 °C. Put the chicken in a baking dish, brush it with the melted ghee, and sprinkle with the black pepper, allspice, paprika, and turmeric. Roast until golden.
Temperature: 220 °C / 428 °FReady to continue when: The chicken skin is golden.
20 min - 03
Cook the rice
Put the rice in a pot with the strained chicken broth and the 2 cups of hot water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer. Stir occasionally and keep an eye on the liquid; if it dries up before the rice is very soft, add a little water.
Ready to continue when: The rice is very soft and has a creamy, porridge-like consistency.
45 min - 04
Add the milk and serve
When the rice is very soft, stir it and add the whole milk. Cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Serve the creamy rice with the roasted chicken on top.
Ready to continue when: The milk is incorporated into the rice and the dish is creamy.
10 min
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 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/
- 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…
- - YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PwZgmzURzY
- The best traditional foods to try in Saudi Arabia | The Good Times by Intrepid www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/best-saudi-arabia-food/
- Arabia Saudita - Recetas Árabes recetasarabes.com/recetas-arabia-saudita/
- 23 recetas muy ricas de saudí compartidas por cocineros caseros- Cookpad cookpad.com/es/buscar/saud%C3%AD
State: Published after documentary validation; no “Tested” label is shown.