Chicken Freekeh Pilaf

Name: Chicken Freekeh Pilaf
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 80 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 2¼ lbs bone-in chicken breasts and legs; 1½ cups dry freekeh; 1 cup frozen peas; 4 tbsp ghee; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 small onion; 4 cloves garlic; ⅓ cup raw nuts; 1 cinnamon stick; 1 bay leaf; 2 cardamom pods; 1½ tsp ground cumin; 1½ tsp Lebanese 7 spices; 1 tsp ground coriander; ½ tsp white pepper; ¼ tsp ground nutmeg; 1 tsp salt to taste; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp whole cloves; ½ tsp black peppercorns; 1 tsp whole caraway; 5-6 whole cardamom pods; 1 bay leaf; 1 cinnamon stick

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This chicken freekeh pilaf recipe is definitely a family favorite. It's packed with the flavors of warm, comforting spices and has always been my ultimate childhood comfort meal. If you've never tried freekeh, it's super easy to make, with a similar cooking process to white rice, and it has many health benefits!!

Middle Eastern freekeh pilaf with shredded chicken and toasted nuts.

My dad's favorite freekeh side is cucumbers in yogurt, or khyar b laban, which is the perfect cold, refreshing addition to the dish. He just dollops it right on top.

What is Freekeh?

Freekeh, also called freek or fareek, is basically wheat that's just harvested prematurely while it's green. It's then roasted and rubbed, which is what gives it its earthy flavor. You'll notice its distinct flavor instantly, which is exactly why it's one of my favorite foods.

As for the texture, freekeh is a little chewy, and you can feel each grain with every bite. It's definitely super unique. In most Middle Eastern cuisines, it's usually served either as soup or with chicken or meat, just like this recipe.

Ingredient Notes

Chicken: I suggest using bone-in pieces if you make this freekeh with chicken. Since you'll be boiling the chicken and using the stock to cook the freekeh, you'll need the bones to give you the maximum flavor (you'll be shredding the chicken anyway). I've made this recipe with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, and it still works perfectly, so it's really up to what you have at home.
Freekeh: There are two types of freekeh: whole and cracked. For this recipe, you'll need the whole freekeh, which is most common in Arab households. Don't forget to rinse it really well under warm water.
Spices: The mix of spices I like to use for this recipe makes this whole dish. I like to mix whole and ground spices to get the most flavor. The whole spices include cardamom, cloves, bay leaves, black peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, and caraway. The ground spices are seven spices, cumin, dried coriander, white pepper, and nutmeg. Salt and black pepper to taste, of course.

How to Make Chicken Freekeh Pilaf

Heat the olive oil in a large pot, and add the chicken. Sear for about a minute on each side. Add the chicken spices, onion (cut into quarters), and at least 6 cups of hot water. Cover and boil for 45 to 60 minutes or until the chicken is tender.

Fry the freekeh in ghee (or butter) in a nonstick pot on medium heat for about 5 to 6 minutes with the freekeh spices.

Pour around 3 cups of the broth the chicken was cooking in onto the freekeh, or enough broth to cover it. Cover and let boil for 30-35 minutes or until tender. Once the freekeh is cooked, remove the pot, add the frozen peas, cover, and let steam for 10 minutes.

Fry the nuts in ghee until they're golden brown (stirring continuously). Fluff freekeh with a fork and transfer it to your serving dish. Shred the chicken and add it on top. Pour the fried nuts on top of the freekeh.

Tips and Tricks

Sear the chicken before boiling it. This gives it a beautiful color and brings out all the juices that flavor your chicken broth.
Add around ¼ cup of chicken broth to the freekeh after it's finished cooking. My family doesn't prefer it dry, so we always add even more broth after it's done to keep it more moist and hearty.
When you fry the freekeh in ghee, add the spices in as well in order to maximize their flavor.
Fry the nuts last and pour them over the dish with the melted ghee. The nuts will be super crunchy, and their sizzling sound when they hit the freekeh is SO satisfying.
I usually don't measure the liquid-to-freekeh ratio. The way I do it is to completely cover the freekeh in liquid and boil it covered for around 35-40 minutes. If the liquid is absorbed and the freekeh isn't cooked through yet, then add a little more and cook until it's light and fluffy.

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