Claire Thompson
Djaj Mahshi, or chicken stuffed with rice, is a popular dish throughout the Mediterranean region. The name and stuffing vary from country to country, with some versions including beef or vegetables such as zucchini, eggplants, and grape leaves. This dish is typically cooked in a pressure cooker or baked in the oven. For a complete Mediterranean feast, serve it with a big bright salad, such as a pomegranate tomato salad, Shirazi salad, fattoush, or Greek salad, and dips or appetizers like Melitzanosalata (Greek eggplant dip), hummus, baked zucchini spears, or cauliflower fritters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recipe Type | Chicken Mahshi with Rice, Mediterranean Chicken Rice Bowls, Mediterranean Chicken and Rice |
| Ingredients | Chicken, Rice, Spices, Vegetables, Herbs, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Yogurt, Tzatziki, Feta, Olives, Oregano, Parsley, Paprika, Salt, Pepper, Chickpeas, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Flatbreads, Chicken Stock, Butter |
| Preparation | Marinate chicken, sauté vegetables and herbs, bake/grill chicken, cook rice |
| Cook Time | 20-40 minutes |
| Number of Servings | 4 |
| Calories | 377 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 23.9g |
| Protein | 34g |
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Chicken marination
Djaj Mahshi is a Middle Eastern dish that involves stuffing chicken with rice. Mediterranean chicken and rice is a fuss-free, flavourful dish that can be made in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas for marinating the chicken:
Lemon and Herb Chicken
For a simple yet tasty marinade, mix chicken thighs with oregano, dried parsley, paprika, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. You can also add crushed garlic, olive oil, Greek yoghurt, and cumin to the mix. This marinade works well with Mediterranean chicken rice bowls, served with tzatziki, tomato cucumber salad, and flatbreads.
Spicy Chicken
For a spicy kick, season chicken thighs with a mixture of Middle Eastern spices and salt. You can also add chilli powder or chipotle powder to the mix. This pairs well with a bright salad, such as pomegranate tomato salad, Shirazi salad, fattoush, or Greek salad.
Mediterranean Herbs and Olives
For a more Mediterranean flavour, use a cast-iron skillet to cook chicken thighs with oregano, parsley, paprika, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Garnish with olives and feta cheese, and serve with sautéed zucchini or tomatoes.
Chicken Marinade for Rice Stuffing
For a rice-stuffed chicken, a simple marinade of salt and pepper can be used. However, for a more complex flavour profile, you can add garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, Greek yoghurt, cumin, and paprika. This pairs well with buttery, fragrant rice cooked with spices and chicken stock.
Remember, marination time can vary from a couple of hours to up to 24 hours, but even without marination, the chicken will still be delicious!
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Rice preparation
To prepare the rice for Mediterranean chicken and rice, you will need chicken or vegetable stock, butter, and spices. Melt the butter in a pan, add the spices, and toast the rice. Then, add the chicken or vegetable stock, cover the pan, and cook the rice until it is fluffy and has absorbed all the stock.
For the spices, dried oregano, dried parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper are recommended. You can also add cumin and garlic for extra flavour.
If you are making chicken mahshi, a popular Mediterranean dish of rice-stuffed chicken, you will need to prepare the rice differently. First, add oil to a pot over medium heat and sauté onions until they are translucent, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Then, add tomato sauce and paste, stirring to dissolve the paste. When the mixture begins to bubble, add the rice, spices, and herbs, and cook for two minutes. Turn off the heat and set the mixture aside to cool.
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Chicken cooking
Djaj Mahshi, or Middle Eastern rice-stuffed chicken, is a delicious dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make it:
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts or thighs
- Rice
- Vegetables of your choice (e.g. zucchini, eggplant, peppers, onions)
- Spices and herbs (e.g. parsley, mint, coriander)
- Tomato sauce and paste
- Chicken stock
- Oil for sautéing
- Lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
- Prepare the chicken by cutting it into large pieces. You can use either chicken breasts or thighs. If using breasts, slice them into thinner pieces (about 1-inch thick) so they cook more evenly.
- Season the chicken with salt and a spice mixture. You can make your own spice blend by mixing dried oregano, paprika, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Then, bake it in the oven at 350° F for 20-25 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the rice stuffing. Sauté onions in oil until translucent. Add the tomato sauce and paste, and stir to dissolve.
- When the mixture starts bubbling, add the rice, spices, and herbs. Cook for just two minutes, then turn off the heat and set it aside to cool.
- Wash and core your chosen vegetables, being careful not to tear the walls, especially when preparing zucchini or eggplant.
- Stuff the vegetables with the rice mixture and secure them if needed.
- Cook the stuffed vegetables in a pot of boiling water or in the oven. The liquid should come halfway up the vegetables.
- Serve the cooked Djaj Mahshi with a side of rice and enjoy!
You can also add your own twist to this recipe by using beef instead of chicken, as suggested by some Egyptian variations of the dish. Additionally, you can experiment with different spices and herbs to find your perfect combination.
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Assembly
Djaj Mahshi, or Middle Eastern rice-stuffed chicken, is a delicious dish that can be served with a bright salad on the side, such as a pomegranate tomato salad, Shirazi salad, fattoush, or Greek salad. It can also be accompanied by dips like Melitzanosalata (Greek eggplant dip), hummus, or baked zucchini spears.
- First, prepare the stuffing. In a pot over medium heat, add oil and sauté onions until they are translucent, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Then, add the tomato sauce and paste, stirring to dissolve the paste. When the mixture starts bubbling, add rice, spices, and herbs and cook for just two minutes. Turn off the heat and set the mixture aside to cool down.
- Next, prepare your chicken. Wash and clean the chicken thoroughly, removing any unwanted fat or skin. You can use chicken thighs or breasts, but if you opt for breasts, slice them in half to create thinner pieces that will cook more evenly and quickly.
- Season the chicken with salt and a spice mixture. A simple spice blend could include paprika, oregano, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. You can also add more complex marinades, such as a mixture of garlic, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, olive oil, Greek yogurt, oregano, paprika, cumin, and salt.
- After seasoning, arrange the chicken on a lined tray, trying to keep it in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
- While the chicken cooks in the oven, prepare your rice. Melt some butter, add your choice of spices, toast the rice, and then add chicken stock. Cover and cook until the rice is fluffy and has absorbed all the stock.
- Once the chicken and rice are cooked, assemble your dish. You can serve the chicken and rice together on a platter, or create individual bowls with rice as the base and chicken on top.
- Garnish with herbs like parsley and serve with your chosen sides. Enjoy!
Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and seasonings to make the dish your own. You can also try stuffing the chicken with the rice mixture for a unique presentation.
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to serve chicken mahshi with rice, a popular dish throughout the Mediterranean region, especially in Egypt and Palestine.
First, let the chicken rest for a few minutes after roasting, then serve the chicken halved on a bed of the remaining rice, pouring the cooking juices over the top. You can also garnish with pine nuts and chopped parsley.
You can also serve chicken mahshi with an Arabic-style salad, plain yogurt, or cucumber yogurt. Some other side dishes that go well with the meal are cheese rolls or spanakopita. To make the meal more authentic, you can add some yogurt and salad.
You can also serve the chicken mahshi with a side of Persian yogurt and cucumber dip (mast-o khiar). You can turn it into a Middle Eastern bowl with some tabouli, creamy cucumber salad or fattoush, some homemade hummus, and a piece of pita bread.
Some people also like to add dried fruit such as apricot or raisins, or toasted pine nuts and slivered almonds to the dish.
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Frequently asked questions
Djaj Mahshi is a Middle Eastern dish of chicken stuffed with rice. Mahshi is a family of stuffed veggies that is very popular throughout the Mediterranean region.
You will need chicken, rice, onions, tomato sauce and paste, and various spices and herbs.
First, sauté the onions until translucent. Then, add the tomato sauce and paste and stir to dissolve the paste. Once it starts bubbling, add the rice, spices, and herbs and cook for two minutes. Turn off the heat and set aside to cool.
Mediterranean chicken rice bowls often include sides such as tomato cucumber salad, flatbreads, olives, feta, and tzatziki.
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