Kabsa Chicken and Spiced Rice with Fresh Tomato Sauce (Saudi Recipe)

My twist on Chef JJ’s Kitchen viral kabsa chicken and spiced rice with fresh tomato sauce!

Kabsa is a Saudi Arabian chicken and spiced rice dish with fresh tomato sauce that’s full of bold flavor and warm spices. Inspired by Chef JJ’s Kitchen, this version features tender spiced chicken cooked in a tomato and orange-scented broth with fluffy basmati rice, served with a spicy fresh tomato sauce (daqoos). It’s hearty, comforting, and perfect for sharing with family and friends.

My kids sent me this reel from Chef JJ’s Kitchen on Instagram. Actually, all of my kids each sent it to me over the course of a couple of days. I was drooling when I saw it and knew I had to make it. I followed his recipe exactly, except that I didn’t have the dried lime he used. After we tested the original, we made a few tweaks. The kids thought it had a little too much cinnamon and ginger for their liking. So, this is my family’s version, and when you put it on the table, it’s going to be stunning. Beautiful enough to serve guests. I think you’re going to love it.

Why is this dish so special?

Bold, flavorful,

Warm, sweet, earthy

Rich tomato and orange scented

Spiced pillowy rice and

Tender, juicy chicken,

Fresh, spicy tomato sauce

With a kick of heat topped with

Buttery crisp almond slices and

Plump, chewy raisins.

What are the ingredients for kabsa?

Whole chicken -in JJ’s version, he cut the chicken in half, but I found it easier to serve when I cut the chicken into pieces. You can also use chicken thighs or drumsticks instead of a whole chicken.

Basmati rice -rinsed and soaked for 15 minutes to remove excess starch and help make fluffier rice.

Onion -finely chopped so it’s not too much bigger than the rice.

Carrots -grated on the fine side of a box grater to add flavor without chunkiness.

Tomato paste -I bought the tomato paste in a tube for the first time ever, and it worked great. I was able to put the lid on and pop it right back in the fridge.

Chicken bouillon paste -I love this paste because it’s flavorful and melts right into any dish I add it to, but you can use a bouillon cube, too.

Zest of oranges -they add a ton of aromatic flavor with a touch of sweet citrus. Orange is traditional, but you could use lemon as well.  

Olive oil – I like to use it to sauté my veggies, but use your favorite sautéing oil.

Salt & black pepper -season each component of the dish as you cook, so you don’t have to go heavy at the end of cooking.

Cinnamon stick -adds the best warm, sweet spice to the dish without the texture of ground cinnamon.

Bay leaves -add a subtle, slightly floral, aromatic herbiness that helps the flavor build.

Cardamom pods -help bring all the spices and herbs together with their sweet, citrusy, fresh, floral notes.

Star anise -these pair so perfectly with warm spices because they have a sweet, licorice-like, earthiness.

Garlic cloves –the original recipe calls for garlic powder, but I like to use grated garlic. Use what you have or prefer. 

Whole cloves -add a more intense sweet, warm, woody spiciness.

Paprika -this really rounds out the spice blend with sweet, mild fruitiness.

Chili powder -creates a deep, rich, bold spice blend with subtle heat.

Coriander powder -although it adds a warm nuttiness, it also provides a hint of citrus.

Ground cumin -we’re adding all of the warm spices here, with this one being the most earthy, nutty, and slightly sweet.

Ground turmeric – last but not least, turmeric is a healthy and unique flavor. It’s peppery, bright, and a little citrusy.

What do I need to make the daqoos sauce?

Tomatoes -fresh, ripe tomatoes without blemishes for the best flavored sauce.

Onion -a small one, quartered, since you’re just going to throw it in the blender.

Spicy green chilies -Adjust the number of chilies in the sauce depending on your spice preference. If you don’t like spicy food, the recipe suggests using a green bell pepper instead.

Lemon -peeled and quartered, to add bright citrus flavor to the rich, spicy sauce.

Garlic cloves -you can use whole garlic cloves, grated, or minced for this sauce.

Fresh mint -a small bunch to brighten and freshen the sauce.

Ground cumin -adds similar warm, earthy flavors that are in the rice without being overpowering.

Salt -to enhance the flavor of each ingredient and bring them together.

Water – there’s already a good bit of broth, but you’ll need a little extra water to ensure the rice is covered enough to cook perfectly.

What can I use for a garnish?

Butter -to toast the almonds and warm and hydrate the raisins or cranberries.

Sliced almonds -they get crispy when you toast them, adding a nice crunch to the dish.

Raisins -or dried cranberries add a fruity, chewy bite to round out the textures.

How do I sauté the vegetables?

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion until soft. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in the cinnamon, bay leaves, cardamom pods, and star anise. Add paprika, chili powder, coriander, cumin, turmeric, and black pepper. Mix well and add the chicken pieces. Season with salt, then stir in the tomato paste, bouillon paste, and orange zest.

How long do I cook the chicken?

Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add 2 cups of water and cover the pot. Simmer for about 35 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.

When do I add the rice?

Remove the cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom pods if possible. Drain the rice and add it to the pot along with 1–2 teaspoons of salt. Add enough water to cover the rice by 1–2 cm. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked through and fluffy.

Do I broil the chicken, too?

While the rice cooks, broil the chicken on a baking tray for 8–10 minutes, until lightly charred.

How do I make daqoos sauce?

Blend the tomatoes, onion, green chilies, lemon, garlic, mint, cumin, salt, and water in a high-powered blender or food processor. Pulse until a chunky salsa texture is reached. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

How do I serve kabsa chicken and spiced rice with fresh tomato sauce?

Serve the rice on a platter topped with the broiled chicken. Drizzle with daqoos sauce or serve the sauce on the side. For garnish, melt the butter in a pan and toast the almonds and raisins or cranberries until golden. Sprinkle over the dish before serving.

Can I meal prep this dish?

This dish gets even more flavorful as it sits, making it great for meal prep. Store it in an air-tight container in the fridge for best flavor.

Have you tried more viral recipes?

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Tik Tok Crinkle Greek Custard Cake

Dalgona Whipped Coffee vs The Greek Frappe

Baked Feta & Tomatoes Appetizer

Galaktoboureko Croissant Bake: Greek-custard filled croissants

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