Lebanese Chicken and Rice (Riz a Djej)

Lebanese chicken and rice, aka riz a djej, is a Middle Eastern chicken dish made with shredded chicken, homemade chicken stock, rice, aromatic spices, minced meat, and toasted nuts. This classic dish is often at the center of the table on holidays, special occasions, and celebrations.

What I Love About This Recipe

I am obsessed with how the flavors and textures blend in this chicken and rice recipe. There is something about it that is so full of comfort and warmth. In my family, we make this chicken and rice dish part of a meal planning menu because we can't go too long without having it! Yes, it's that good and I am so excited to share it with you.

Ingredient Notes

• Whole chicken: It's important to use a whole chicken because the homemade chicken stock is used to make the most flavorful rice. Alternatively, you can boil chicken breasts, however the chicken stock won't taste the same as using a whole chicken. I recommend using a chicken between 3 and 4 lbs in size.
• Ground meat: Yes, there are two sources of protein here. Some people prefer to make this with either chicken or meat but this version is my personal favorite. I recommed using ground beef or ground lamb.
• Long grain rice: You can use any kind of long grain rice. However, don't mix long grain rice up with short grain rice because it tends to clump together.
• Onion: Use onion for the meat and rice mixture and for boiling the chicken.
• Blend of spices: A blend of fragrant Lebanese spices including, allspice, seven spice mix, cinnamon, white pepper, and nutmeg.
• Bay leaves: To add to the stock water as you boil the chicken.
• Cinnamon stick: Use a cinnamon stick for the chicken stock.
• Toasted nuts: Choose from using almond slivers, halved almonds, cashew nuts, or pine nuts to top the dish.
• Salt to taste

See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for quantities.

How To Make Lebanese Chicken and Rice

Add a whole chicken, peeled whole onion, salt, pepper, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and about 10 cups of water to a large stovetop pot. Boil the whole chicken on medium to medium high heat covered for about 1.5 hours or until the chicken meat is tender.

The cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and onion add fragrance to the stock. While the chicken is boiling, in a large saucepan on medium heat, melt the butter. Toast the nuts until they turn a golden brown.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the heat. Separate the whole chicken from the chicken stock. Make sure to save the chicken stock because it will be used for cooking the rice.

Wait for the chicken to cool down. Shred the chicken meat and set it aside. Wash the rice and drain it really well.

Add some olive oil to a non-stick pan then sauté the chopped onions and minced meat. Add in the spices, salt, and rinsed rice. Cook everything together for a few minutes.

Next, top the rice and meat mixture with the saved chicken stock. For every 1 cup of rice, add 2 cups of chicken stock.

Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the stove to low heat and cover. Continue cooking on low heat until the rice is done (about 8 to 10 minutes).

Once the rice is done, we're going to start working on serving this dish up.

In a bowl that's not too heavy (because we're going to flip it over), add the chicken and spoon the rice mixture on top. Do this twice so that you get two layers of each.

Once you're done layering, flip the bowl onto a large platter.

Top the shredded chicken with the toasted nuts and serve!

Serve with plain yogurt.

Tips and Tricks

The secret is in the stock: I always use homemade stock to make oriental chicken and rice. Focus on adding fragrance to it by cooking the chicken in water infused with Lebanese spices, a whole onion, cinnamon sticks, and bay leaves.

Push the rice/chicken layers down with a spoon before flipping: The most difficult part of this recipe is when you flip it over onto a tray. What helps to get this right is to push down the rice mixture after spooning it into a bowl.

If you're short on time: Cook the chicken on a separate day and save its stock. You can freeze both and take them out a day before making them. The same can be done with the minced meat, onion, and spice mixture.

Variations and Substitutions

• Either/or oriental chicken and rice: In this version, you can opt to do without either the chicken or the meat.
• Veggie chicken: I know a lot of people who make chicken rice with vegetables in it like peas, carrots, and chopped sweet peppers.
• Substitute chicken breast or chicken thighs instead of a whole chicken.
• Use brown rice instead of white rice.

Equipment

• A large pot to boil the chicken in
• A deep sauté pan to cook the meat, onion, and rice mixture
• A ladle to spoon the stock in
• A bowl to layer the chicken and rice in before flipping
• A tray or serving platter for the mixture to be flipped on

Storage

This Lebanese chicken and rice dish freezes well for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Store this dish in the fridge for 3-5 days. Reheat in a microwave-safe dish or plate.

FAQs

Lebanese Cuisine

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