Chicken Maqlooba/Palestinian Flipped Upside Down Rice Dish

Name: Chicken Maqlooba/Palestinian Flipped Upside Down Rice Dish
Total time: 2700 s
Yield: 5-6 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 kg Chicken whole thighs and breasts; 800 gm Basmati rice; 1-2 large sliced Eggplants; 1-2 medium sliced Potatoes; 1-2 large sliced Tomatoes; 2 medium sliced Onions; 2-3 tbsp Oil; 2 tbsp Butter; 2 tbsp Ginger Garlic paste; 2 tsp Salt or to taste; 1/2 tsp Black Pepper powder; 1/4 tsp Ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp Turmeric; 2-3 tbsp Baharat spice powder; 1 stick Cinnamon; 1 tbsp Coriander powder; 1 tbsp Cumin powder; 1 tsp Red Chilli powder; 4-5 Green Cardamoms; 1 Star anise; 1-2 Bay Leaves; 2 Black Cardamoms; 2-3 Black Lemons; Water as required; 1/2 cup chopped Coriander and Mint Leaves; 10-12 fried Golden Raisins; 10-12 fried Cashewnuts; 10-12 fried Almonds; 1/4 cup fried Pine nuts; 8-10 strands Saffron (soaked in milk)

ZMA @zesty5

#cookpadindia
#newrecipe
#middleeastern
Maqlooba or Maqluba or Makloubeh or Makloba is a popular Middle Eastern dish that's spelled in many ways. No matter what you call it, it is the taste and flavour that matters in the end and this is one flavourful and aromatic Rice dish from the Middle East and is made in almost all the Countries in the Gulf. It is a most sought after dish in Countries like Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Iraq. This well known dish is prepared in different ways in different households but the basic method remains the same. It's main form as the layered dish of Rice, Vegetables and meat is what remains consistent across all versions. Maqlooba translates to flipped upside down referring to the order of the ingredients that are layered in the pot. It uses a variety of Vegetables like Potatoes, Cauliflower, Eggplants and Carrots.

This version by me is made with Chicken and is incredibly amazing. This dish can be made on special occasions and holidays with your loved ones and friends. A standout feature of Arab food is it's diverse flavours and aromas from vibrant spices. Layering the Vegetables and meat beneath the Rice and then cooking everything together allows all the flavours to beautifully combine. Let's get on with the recipe straight away.

Enjoy Cooking with Zeen!

ZMA @zesty5

Enjoy Cooking with Zeen!

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Ingredients

40-45 minutes

5-6 servings

1 kgChicken whole thighs and breasts
800 gmBasmati rice
1-2large sliced Eggplants
1-2medium sliced Potatoes
1-2large sliced Tomatoes
2medium sliced Onions
2-3 tbspOil
2 tbspButter
2 tbspGinger Garlic paste
2 tspSalt or to taste
1/2 tspBlack Pepper powder
1/4 tspGround cinnamon
1/2 tspTurmeric
2-3 tbspBaharat spice powder
1 stickCinnamon
1 tbspCoriander powder
1 tbspCumin powder
1 tspRed Chilli powder
4-5Green Cardamoms
1Star anise
1-2Bay Leaves
2Black Cardamoms
2-3Black Lemons
Water as required
1/2 cupchopped Coriander and Mint Leaves
For the final garnish -
10-12fried Golden Raisins
10-12fried Cashewnuts
10-12fried Almonds
1/4 cupfried Pine nuts
8-10 strandsSaffron (soaked in milk)

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Steps

40-45 minutes

1

Rinse basmati rice and soak for 30 minutes. Drain well.
2

Fry sliced eggplants and potatoes in oil until golden. Set aside.
3

In a wide pot, heat oil and butter. Add all the whole spices. Fry for a minute or two. Next add the chopped onions. Saute them until light golden. Now add chicken along with the baharat spice mix or kabsa or mandi mix whatever is handy. Brown chicken until fragrant and crisp. Add dry black lemons too without fail.
4

Add water accordingly. Simmer chicken for 20 minutes. Remove chicken after 20-25 minutes. Reserve some of the broth.
5

Now in this broth, add the soaked and drained rice. Cook al dente. Do not make it mushy. The rice should be firm and cooked.
6

Layer tomato slices at the bottom of a pot followed by fried eggplants, potatoes, chicken and finally the rice.
7

Pour reserved broth over layers. Cover and cook on a low for 20 minutes.
8

Let rest 10 minutes, then invert the pot onto a plate to serve. Enjoy!

Tips

For added flavor, you can garnish with toasted almonds or pine nuts before serving.

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ZMA @zesty5

on September 10, 2025 16:24

Homemaker by choice and a passionate cook by heart. An aspiring cook who actually never knew anything about Cooking until i became a mother myself.With Motherhood came the responsibilities as well and this was the turning point in my life.I started to learn the ABC's of cooking, taking help from my mother and my MIL. And time just flew. I spread my wings higher and higher. With my love for excellence and innovation, i stepped into a world of homecooks with my exposure to Cookpad one fine day on the social media. And there was no looking back since then and i have not only shared recipes here on this wonderful platform but also have made some lovely friends as well. Today iam successful because of my hard work, dedication and loads of good wishes of my family and my kids in particular.