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Chicken Maqluba – layered rice, fried vegetables and chicken served turned out, Eastern style
Impressive Middle Eastern layered rice, chicken and aubergine dish turned out for serving

Chicken maqluba

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses
Maqluba literally means 'upside down'. This is not just food, but theatre: the layered rice and meat is tipped onto the platter in front of guests with a single decisive movement, like a cake. Aubergine and cauliflower caramelise fried in oil, while rice absorbs meat juices and cinnamon-spiced aromas. The result is a spectacular tower rich in flavour.
🕒 Prep Time 30 mins
🍳 Cook Time 30 mins
⌛ Total Time 1 hr
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 720 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Middle Eastern

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Deep, non-stick pot (critical for turning out!)
  • Large flat plate or tray
  • Frying pan for frying vegetables

Instructions

1 ✓

Rinse rice and soak for 20 minutes. Slice aubergine and potatoes (approx. 1 cm), break cauliflower into florets.

Tip: Salt aubergine beforehand so it absorbs less oil.
2 ✓

Fry aubergine, potatoes, and cauliflower separately in oil in a pan until golden brown. Drain on kitchen paper.

Tip: No need to cook completely soft, just get nice colour and flavour (Maillard reaction).
3 ✓

Dice chicken, season with salt, pepper, and fry in same oil until white with chopped onion and spices (cinnamon, allspice).

Tip: Frying spices is essential for flavour depth.
4 ✓

Layering: Spread chicken on bottom of pot. Top with fried vegetables (aubergine, potato, cauliflower) tightly. Finally smooth over drained rice.

Tip: Press layers down slightly to make the 'cake' compact.
5 ✓

Gently (so as not to disturb layers) pour over salted water/stock. Just enough to cover.

Tip: Use a spoon to break the water stream when pouring.
6 ✓

Cover, boil, then reduce flame to lowest and cook 25-30 minutes until rice softens and water disappears.

Tip: Do not lift the lid!
7 ✓

Turn off heat. LET REST covered for 10-15 minutes. Then place large plate on top and flip with one decisive movement. Tap bottom of pot and lift off.

Tip: During resting, steam binds rice, so tower doesn't fall apart.

Recipe FAQ

What if it doesn't come out in one piece?
Likely you didn't let it rest enough, or the pot isn't non-stick. If it falls apart, it still tastes divine! Serve as 'deconstructed' Maqluba.
What other vegetables can I use?
Carrots, potatoes, chickpeas can also be added as layers.

Ingredients

  • 500 g Chicken thigh fillets or breast
  • 300 g Basmati rice
  • 1 whole Aubergine
  • 200 g Cauliflower
  • 2 whole Potatoes
  • 1 whole Onion
  • 0.5 tsp Ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp Ground allspice
  • 0.5 tsp Ground black pepper
  • 1.5 tsp Salt
  • 4 tbsp Vegetable oil (for frying)
  • 600 ml Water or stock