Machboos Dajaj (Emirati Spiced Chicken and Rice)
Local name: مجبوس دجاج
In short: Chicken simmered with onions, tomato, baharat and dried limes, then rice cooked in the same pot so every grain tastes of the broth. It takes about 1 h 50 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 1 h 25 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 50 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 610 kcal
Machboos is the dish most associated with Emirati home cooking, a fragrant one-pot meal of rice and meat that appears at Friday lunches, family gatherings and Eid. Chicken is browned, then simmered with onions, tomatoes and baharat and dried limes (loomi) for a sour, earthy note. The rice cooks in the same broth, so every grain carries the flavor. A spoonful of daqoos, the tangy chili and tomato sauce, goes on the side.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in batches, about 4 minutes per side, until golden, then set it aside.
- Lower the heat to medium. Cook the onions in the same pot for 10 minutes until golden. Add the garlic and ginger for 1 minute, then stir in the baharat and turmeric for 30 seconds.
- Add the tomatoes and tomato paste and cook for 5 minutes until soft. Return the chicken to the pot with the dried limes, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, bay leaves, chilies and salt.
- Pour in the water, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 25 minutes, until the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F). Lift the chicken out and keep it warm.
- Measure 700 ml (3 cups) of broth into the pot, topping up with water if needed. Stir in the drained rice, bring to a boil, then cover and cook on the lowest heat for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Drizzle the saffron water over the rice, cover again and rest off the heat for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, crisp the chicken skin under a hot broiler for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and spread it on a platter. Set the chicken on top, scatter with raisins and cilantro, and serve with a salad and chili sauce.
Tips
- No dried limes? Stir the zest of 1 lemon and 1 tbsp of juice into the broth at the end of step 4. The flavor is brighter but still close.
- Make a quick daqoos to serve alongside: blend 2 tomatoes, 3 garlic cloves, 1 chili, 1 tbsp lemon juice and 1/2 tsp cumin with a pinch of salt.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between machboos and biryani?
In machboos the rice cooks in the meat broth with whole spices and dried lime, so it tastes earthy and slightly sour. Biryani layers par-cooked rice with marinated meat and usually has more chili and yogurt.
Can I make machboos with lamb or fish?
Yes. Lamb needs about 1 hour 15 minutes of simmering before the rice goes in. For fish, fry firm fish steaks first and lay them over the rice for the last 10 minutes of steaming.
Can I freeze leftover machboos?
Yes. Cool the rice and chicken, freeze them in airtight containers for up to 3 months, and reheat covered with a splash of water until steaming hot.
How long does it take to make Machboos Dajaj (Emirati Spiced Chicken and Rice)?
About 1 h 50 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 1 h 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Machboos Dajaj (Emirati Spiced Chicken and Rice)?
About 610 kcal per serving, with 38 g of protein, 62 g of carbohydrates and 23 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 610 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 38 g |
| Carbohydrates | 62 g |
| Fat | 23 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 820 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
