Chicken Mandi Recipe

Chicken Mandi Recipe

Type: Food recipe

Recipe Details:

Chicken Mandi is a traditional Yemeni dish, popular across the Middle East. It consists of rice, chicken, and a unique blend of spices, often slow-cooked for a smoky flavor. Here’s a step-by-step recipe for preparing delicious Chicken Mandi at home:

Ingredients:

For Chicken Marinade:

• One entire chicken, divided into quarters or halves
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
• 1 teaspoon garam masala or Mandi spice mix (available in stores)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt to taste

For Rice:

• 2 cups basmati rice (soaked for 30 minutes and drained)
• 4 cups chicken stock or water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3-4 cloves
• 3-4 cardamom pods
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• Salt to taste

For Garnishing:

• Fried onions
• Raisins (optional)
• Toasted nuts (almonds or cashews)
• Fresh coriander leaves

Instructions:

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

1. In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, turmeric, cumin, coriander, black pepper, paprika, garam masala, and salt.
2. Rub this marinade all over the chicken pieces. Ensure it's well coated.
3. Give the chicken at least an hour to marinade (overnight is preferable).

Step 2: Prepare the Rice

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil or butter.
2. Chop and saute the onions until they get golden brown.
3. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Stir in chopped tomatoes, cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pods, cumin seeds, and bay leaf. Cook for 3-4 minutes until tomatoes soften.
5. Add soaked and drained rice. Stir for a minute to coat the rice with the spices.
6. Pour in chicken stock (or water), turmeric, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil.
7. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, until the rice is fully cooked and water is absorbed.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Place the marinated chicken onto a baking sheet.
3. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. For a smokey flavor, you can grill the chicken if you have access to a barbecue.

Step 4: Assemble the Dish

1. Once the rice is cooked, place it on a large serving platter.
2. Top the rice with the roasted chicken pieces.
3. Garnish with fried onions, raisins, toasted nuts, and fresh coriander leaves.

Step 5: Optional Smoky Flavor

For an authentic smoky Mandi flavor, place a small piece of charcoal in a heatproof bowl. Drizzle a little oil over the charcoal and place the bowl in the middle of the rice and chicken. Cover the dish immediately and let it sit for 5 minutes to infuse the smoke.

Enjoy this flavorful and aromatic Chicken Mandi, perfect for a special occasion or a comforting family meal!

Follow Food of Pakistan for the Best Blogs and Recipes related to Traditional and famous foods of Pakistan.