Lebanese Chicken and Rice (Riz a Djej)
A hearty flavorful ground meat rice topped with shredded tender chicken is an easy recipe for actual everyday life. Try it now!
Servings: 8 servings
Equipment
- Instant pot
Ingredients
Prepare for the chicken
- 1 whole chicken 4-5lbs
- 2 cups water
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 onion largely cubed
Prepare for the rice
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups Basmati rice long grain
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ tablespoon seven spices
- ½ tablespoon salt to taste
Instructions
To cook the chicken
- Place a whole chicken in the instant pot.
- Add the cubed onions, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and 2 cups of water.
- Cover and cook for 1/2 an hour on high.
Meanwhile, cook the rice
- In a medium pot, on medium-high heat, add olive oil. Then, sauté the ground beef for about 6-7minutes.
- Add the seven-spice seasoning, rinsed rice, salt, and sifted chicken broth OR 2 cups of chicken broth and 2 cups of water.
- Stir, cover, then simmer the rice for 15-17 minutes.
Back to the chicken
- Release pressure, remove the whole chicken.
- Begin to debone in thick pieces of meat to top your rice with.
Prepare your dish
- Plate the cooked rice. Then, top with the cooked chicken.
- Garnish with minced parsley and/or toasted nuts.
- Drizzle some warm chicken broth over the plate if you have any broth left for added flavor (optional).
Notes
Note 1: Let the rice rest in the pot for a few minutes before serving. It will soak all the flavors. Yummy!
Note 2: Use water or vegetable broth for the rice if you do not have chicken broth.
Note 3: Prepare the ground meat rice and chicken ahead of time. Put in an airtight container and reheat it upon serving.
Note 4: I drizzled some chicken broth on top of the rice. You can turn it into a sauce by preparing a roux and then you add the broth into the pan. You can season it with some salt and pepper for extra flavors.