Omani Qabuli Rice with Spiced Chicken

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) basmati rice
• 2 lbs (900g) chicken thighs and drumsticks
• 2 onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons ghee or vegetable oil
• 4 cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 3 cups (720ml) chicken stock
• 1/4 cup (35g) raisins
• 1/4 cup (30g) sliced almonds
• Salt to taste

Before you cook

• Rinse the basmati rice and soak it in water for 20 minutes.
• Thinly slice the onions.
• Measure out the cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper.

Steps

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add half the sliced onions and fry for 8 minutes until deep golden brown, then remove and set aside for garnish.
3. Add the chicken pieces to the same pot and brown on all sides for 6 minutes.
4. Add the remaining onions, cardamom, cinnamon stick and cloves.
5. Stir in the tomato paste and black pepper.
6. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a boil.
7. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes until the chicken is tender.
8. Remove the chicken pieces and set aside, keeping the spiced broth in the pot.
9. Drain the soaked rice and add it to the simmering broth.
10. Season with salt, cover, and cook over low heat for 15 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
11. Fry the raisins and sliced almonds in the remaining tablespoon of ghee for 2 minutes until the raisins puff up.
12. Spread the cooked rice on a serving platter.
13. Arrange the chicken pieces over the rice.
14. Scatter the fried onions, raisins and almonds over the top before serving.