Chien Mandi is a delicious traditional Middle Eastern dish that combines tender chicken with fragrant rice. Here's a recipe to help you make Chicken Mandi at home:
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for about 30 minutes, then drain and set aside.
In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they turn golden brown.
Add the Mandi spice mix, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, ground black pepper, ground cardamom, and ground cloves to the pot. Stir well to combine and cook for about 2 minutes to release the flavors.
Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until they are browned on all sides.
Pour in the chicken broth, cover the pot, and simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Add salt to taste.
While the chicken is cooking, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
In a separate pot, bring water to a boil. Add the soaked and drained rice to the boiling water and cook for about 5 minutes. Drain the rice and set aside.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove the chicken pieces from the pot and set them aside. Strain the remaining liquid to remove any solids and reserve the liquid for later.
In a baking dish, spread a layer of half-cooked rice. Place the chicken pieces on top of the rice and cover them with the remaining half-cooked rice.
Pour the reserved liquid from the chicken over the rice. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30-40 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and fluffy.
Once the Chicken Mandi is ready, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.
Enjoy your homemade Chicken Mandi !
