
Chicken is a common food item in Saudi Arabian culture, with chicken dishes being packed full of flavour and spices. The national dish of Saudi Arabia is Kabsa, which consists of chicken served over spiced rice. Other popular chicken dishes include Ruz Al Bukhari, a fragrant rice dish served with roast chicken, and Dajaj Mashwi, a spicy barbecue chicken dish loaded with spices. Chicken is also used in Saleeg, a traditional rice dish cooked in chicken broth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| National dish | Kabsa/Chicken Kabsa |
| Other popular dishes | Ruz Al Bukhari, Dajaj Mashwi, Saleeg |
| Typical ingredients | Chicken, rice, lamb, beef, goat, camel, fish, shrimp, vegetables, spices |
| Spices | Cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, black lime, turmeric, saffron, bay leaves, nutmeg, paprika, red chili powder, black pepper, sumac, za'atar |
| Accompaniments | Bread, raisins, almonds, pine nuts, peanuts, onions, sultanas, ḥashū, daqqūs (tomato sauce), mixed salad, garlic sauce, couscous, soup |
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What You'll Learn
- Kabsa, the national dish of Saudi Arabia, is made with chicken, rice, and spices
- Ruz Al Bukhari is a fragrant rice dish served with roast chicken
- Dajaj Mashwi is a spicy barbecue chicken dish with various spices and herbs
- Saleeg is a traditional rice dish cooked in chicken broth, eaten during special occasions
- Chicken can also be used in Musakhan, a staple dish in Palestinian cuisine

Kabsa, the national dish of Saudi Arabia, is made with chicken, rice, and spices
Kabsa, the national dish of Saudi Arabia, is a flavourful and hearty dish made with chicken, rice, and spices. It is often served as a one-pot meal, with all the ingredients cooked together, and is typically eaten with the right hand, in line with Saudi traditions. The dish is known for its aromatic spices and can be made with a variety of meats, including chicken, beef, lamb, or goat.
The spices used in Kabsa play a crucial role in its distinctive taste. Common spices include black pepper, cloves, cardamom, saffron, cinnamon, black lime, bay leaves, and nutmeg. These spices are blended and cooked with the chicken and rice to create a warm and inviting flavour profile. The dish may also be augmented with almonds, pine nuts, peanuts, onions, and sultanas, adding a crunchy texture and sweet notes to the dish.
While Kabsa is typically made with chicken, some variations use other types of meat. Lamb Kabsa, for instance, features a large chunk of lamb meat served on top of the rice. The dish can also be made with bone-in or boneless chicken, depending on personal preference. In some cases, Kabsa is served with raisins and almonds during holidays and festive seasons, adding a touch of sweetness to the savoury dish.
Kabsa has a rich history and is believed to have originated with the Bedouin tribes who roamed the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula. It is also thought to be inspired by the Yemeni dish "Mandi," a rice dish cooked with meat in a pit, or the Spanish dish "Paella." Regardless of its origins, Kabsa has become an iconic dish in Saudi Arabia and is often served during special occasions and holidays.
In addition to Kabsa, there are other popular chicken dishes in Saudi Arabia. One such dish is Ruz Al Bukhari, a fragrant rice dish served with roast chicken and spiced with cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, and star anise. Another dish is Dajaj Mashwi, a spicy barbecue chicken dish loaded with spices like paprika, red chilli powder, and sumac. These dishes showcase the diverse and flavourful cuisine of Saudi Arabia, where chicken is a prominent ingredient.
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Ruz Al Bukhari is a fragrant rice dish served with roast chicken
Ruz Al Bukhari is a popular Saudi dinner dish. This fragrant rice dish is served with roast chicken and is packed with flavour. The dish is sure to impress with its deliciously rich taste, where the rice is cooked in chicken stock and garnished with sweet carrots and raisins.
To prepare the chicken, you can use a whole chicken, skin removed, and cut into 6-8 pieces. Marinate the chicken pieces overnight with ground, powdered spices. In a large pot, add olive oil, a cinnamon stick, bay leaves, cardamom pods, and cloves. Sauté for 1 minute on medium heat. Add finely diced onions, garlic, and ginger. Sauté until translucent and brown. Next, add the marinated chicken and mix well. Add 1 cup of hot water and let the chicken cook for at least 30 minutes. In a separate pan, sauté the carrots in 1 tablespoon of oil until they soften, then add these carrots to the chicken.
Now, for the rice. Place the roasted chicken pieces on top of the rice and seal the pot tightly. Allow the dish to steam for 10 minutes without uncovering. If you like, you can fry golden raisins in butter until plump and sprinkle them over the dish. You can also garnish with cilantro, parsley, toasted almonds, or pine nuts. Serve with yogurt, cucumber yogurt salad, or a fresh chopped salad.
Ruz Al Bukhari is a fragrant and flavourful rice dish, with hints of saffron in the rice and chicken. The dish is easy to prepare and is a perfect wholesome dinner. It is a popular dish in Saudi Arabia and is often served in large groups, traditionally eaten with the right hand.
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Dajaj Mashwi is a spicy barbecue chicken dish with various spices and herbs
Saudi Arabia is known for its hearty and flavourful dishes, with chicken being a common ingredient. One such chicken dish is Dajaj Mashwi, a spicy barbecue chicken dish with a variety of spices and herbs.
Dajaj Mashwi is a popular meal in Saudi Arabia, offering a unique blend of flavours and textures. The dish is typically prepared with chicken breast, but different cuts of chicken can also be used, depending on the restaurant's preference. The chicken is marinated in a variety of spices, creating a flavourful and aromatic base. This includes spices such as paprika, red chilli powder, black pepper, sumac, and za'atar, resulting in a vibrant red hue and a spicy kick. The chicken is then barbecued to perfection, adding a smoky flavour to the dish.
Dajaj Mashwi is often served with a mixed salad, providing a fresh and crunchy contrast to the spicy chicken. It is also commonly accompanied by a garlic sauce, adding a creamy and tangy dimension to the dish. While it can be enjoyed as a standalone meal, it can also be served with a variety of sides, depending on personal preference.
One popular side dish is rice, which is a staple in Saudi Arabian cuisine. The rice is often flavoured with spices and herbs similar to those used in the chicken marinade, creating a cohesive flavour profile. Couscous is another option, offering a slightly different texture and taste while still complementing the chicken. For a heartier meal, soup can be served alongside the barbecue chicken, with options such as a traditional chicken broth or a spicy tomato-based sauce.
Dajaj Mashwi is a versatile dish that can be tailored to individual tastes and preferences. The variety of spices used in the marinade allows for adjustments to suit different palates, from mild to very spicy. It is a dish that showcases the rich and diverse culinary culture of Saudi Arabia, combining traditional barbecue techniques with a unique blend of spices and herbs.
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Saleeg is a traditional rice dish cooked in chicken broth, eaten during special occasions
Saleeg is a traditional rice dish cooked in chicken broth, commonly eaten during special occasions and cold months in Saudi Arabia. Hailing from the Hijaz region, it is a creamy, porridge-like dish made with short-grain rice. While Saleeg is a dish reserved for festivities, there are several other everyday chicken dishes in Saudi Arabia.
Chicken Kabsa, for example, is the national dish of Saudi Arabia. It is an easy one-pot chicken and rice dish flavoured with spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, black lime, and turmeric. It is served in a large dish and traditionally eaten with the right hand. The dish is so popular that in 2021, the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia announced an initiative to promote Kabsa as part of its national heritage. While chicken is a common type of Kabsa, the meat can be substituted with beef or lamb.
Dajaj Mashwi is another popular chicken dish in Saudi Arabia. It is a spicy barbecue chicken dish loaded with spices such as paprika, red chilli powder, black pepper, sumac, and za'atar. The chicken breast is marinated in these spices and herbs and served with a mixed salad and garlic sauce. It can also be eaten with rice, couscous, or soup.
In addition to these dishes, Ruz Al Bukhari is a fragrant rice dish that is usually served with roast chicken. The dish is spiced with cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, and star anise and often topped with raisins and fried onions. It is served with a spicy tomato sauce on the side.
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Chicken can also be used in Musakhan, a staple dish in Palestinian cuisine
Kabsa, made with chicken, beef or lamb, is the national dish of Saudi Arabia. However, chicken can also be used in Musakhan, a staple dish in Palestinian cuisine.
Musakhan is considered a staple traditional dish in Palestine and is often regarded as the national dish. It is a simple dish to make, with easily obtainable ingredients, which may account for its popularity. It is a juicy, tender, and flavourful chicken dish that is often served on a bed of caramelised onion bread, flavoured with sumac and extra virgin olive oil. The chicken can be prepared in a myriad of ways. Most recipes use a whole chicken, but some recipes call for chicken legs, thighs, breasts, or drumsticks. The chicken can be boiled and then grilled, braised in a pan, cooked in the oven, or marinated in spices before roasting.
The name Musakhan comes from the Arabic word for 'something that is [re]heated'. It is traditionally served towards the end of the year, shortly after the olive harvest. The dish originated in the Tulkarm and Jenin area and is popular among Palestinians, Israeli Arabs, Jordanians, Arabs, and Druze in Galilee, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.
The traditional bread used for Musakhan is taboon bread, which is baked in a rock or in-ground oven. However, other types of flatbread such as naan, lavash, or pita can also be used. The bread is slightly higher at the edges than in the middle, which perfectly accommodates the onion mixture.
The chicken is typically marinated in an aromatic blend of sumac, olive oil, spices, and garlic powder before being roasted. The onions are caramelised with sumac and olive oil, and the dish is topped with crunchy pine nuts, cashew nuts, raisins, and almonds. Sumac is a flowering plant that grows in abundance in Palestine, and it gives the dish a tangy, salty flavour.
Musakhan is often served with traditional sides such as fresh vegetables, crunchy pickles, olives, and a fresh bowl of salad.
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Frequently asked questions
Kabsa is Saudi Arabia's national dish. It is an easy chicken and rice dish, with chicken pieces cooked over spiced rice. The spices used include cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, black lime, and turmeric.
Ruz Al Bukhari, or Bukhari rice, is a fragrant rice dish served with roast chicken. The dish is spiced with cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, and star anise, and is served with a spicy tomato sauce on the side. Saleeg is another traditional rice dish cooked in chicken broth. Dajaj Mashwi is a spicy barbecue chicken dish loaded with spices.
Saudi Arabian chicken dishes typically include rice, spices, and meat. The spices used vary but often include cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, black lime, saffron, bay leaves, nutmeg, paprika, red chili powder, black pepper, and sumac. The meat used is usually chicken, lamb, or beef.
Chicken dishes in Saudi Arabia are typically served in large serving dishes and eaten with the right hand. They are often eaten in large groups, sitting on the floor.











































