Riz Bil Dajaj Wa Laban

Riz Bil Dajaj Wa Laban is a comforting Lebanese rice dish featuring tender chicken cooked in a creamy yogurt sauce, served over fragrant basmati rice. This gluten-free meal is perfect for a cozy dinner, combining rich flavors and wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients

• Basmati rice - 1 cup (200g)
• Chicken thighs, boneless and skinless - 300g
• Yogurt (plain, preferably whole) - 150g
• Onion, finely chopped - 1 medium (100g)
• Garlic, minced - 2 cloves
• Chicken broth - 2 cups (500ml)
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon
• Allspice - 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) - 2 tablespoons

Steps

1. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then soak it in water for 30 minutes.
2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Stir in the chicken thighs, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and allspice. Cook until the chicken is browned on all sides, about 7-10 minutes.
5. Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover the pot. Simmer for about 20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
6. Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool slightly. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
7. In a bowl, mix the yogurt with a pinch of salt and stir in the shredded chicken. Set aside.
8. In the same pot, strain the broth, discarding the solids, and return the liquid to the heat.
9. Add the soaked and drained rice to the broth, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the rice is cooked and has absorbed the broth.
10. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve it on a plate topped with the creamy chicken and yogurt mixture. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Nutrition

• Calories: 550
• Protein: 30 g
• Carbs: 65 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Cholesterol: 90 mg
• Total Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• High in protein from chicken and yogurt, supporting muscle health.
• Contains probiotics from yogurt, which are beneficial for gut health.

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