Spiced Crusted Rice with Moroccan Rice-Coated Chicken and Preserved Lemon Salad

Fragrant basmati rice with a golden saffron crust served with spice-coated chicken thighs and a fresh preserved lemon salad.

Estimated Nutrition

Per Serving Total
Calories 789.1 kcals 3156.4 kcals
Carbohydrates 76.5 grams 305.8 grams
Fat 38 grams 152.1 grams
Protein 37.1 grams 148.2 grams
Cook Time
30 mins
Produces
4 people
Allergies
Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy Free
Gluten Free

Ingredients

CondimentsSauces
3
piece
Preserved Lemons
rinsed, seeds and pulp removed, finely chopped
Dairy
50
g
Butter
melted
1
piece
Egg
beaten
Fruits
20
g
1
piece
Lemon
juice only
0.5
piece
Lemon
for salad, juice only
GrainsCereals
300
g
Basmati Rice
for the crusted rice
75
g
Basmati Rice
for the chicken coating, soaked in water
Meat
4
piece
Chicken Thighs
skinless, boneless, cut into strips
NutsSeeds
1
clove
Garlic
finely chopped
0.5
tsp
Cinnamon
ground
0.5
tsp
50
g
Pistachios
unsalted, roughly chopped
4
tbsp
Flat leaf Parsley
roughly chopped
1
pinch
Saffron
soaked in 2 tbsp water
1
unit
Salt
to taste
1
unit
Black Pepper
freshly ground, to taste
4
tbsp
Flat leaf Parsley
for salad, roughly chopped
2
tbsp
Mint
roughly chopped
OilsFats
1
tbsp
2
tbsp
Olive Oil
for frying chicken
Vegetables
1
piece
Onion
finely chopped
0.5
piece
Cucumber
seeded and roughly chopped

Steps

  • Boil the rice in salted water for four minutes then drain and refresh in cold water.
  • Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil for 2-3 minutes until soft.
  • Stir in cinnamon, sumac, pistachios, currants, and parsley.
  • Pour melted butter into a pan and cover the bottom with a layer of Parboiled rice.
  • Mix remaining rice with the onion mixture, saffron water, lemon juice, and seasoning.
  • Pile the rice mixture into the pan, cover with a damp tea towel and lid.
  • Cook over very low heat for 25-30 minutes until a golden crust forms.
  • Toast dry rice in a frying pan for 1-2 minutes until golden.
  • Crush toasted rice and baharat spices into a powder using a pestle and mortar.
  • Dredge seasoned chicken strips in beaten egg and then the rice-spice powder.
  • Fry chicken in olive oil for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
  • Combine all salad ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
  • Invert the rice pan onto a plate to release the crusted rice.
  • Serve chicken and salad on top of portions of the crusted rice.