Flavorful Chicken Mansaf – Ready in 60 Minutes

Chicken Mansaf

Indulge in the classic Middle‑Eastern comfort dish, Chicken Mansaf – a fragrant blend of tender chicken, spiced rice, and creamy yogurt sauce, crowned with a hint of sumac. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy Sunday dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 2 lb), skin removed and chicken pieces roughly cut into 8 pieces
• 2 cups long‑grain white rice (about 1 kg)
• 1 cup plain yogurt (about 0.5 kg)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 Tbsp turmeric
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
• 4 green cardamom pods
• ½ tsp mixed spice (optional)
• ½ tsp chopped cilantro
• ½ tsp salt, to taste
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp plain yogurt (extra)
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1 Tbsp paprika
• 1 Tbsp sumac
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper or 1 small hot pepper
• Water, as needed

Instructions

1. Rinse the rice, then soak it in warm water with ½ tsp turmeric and 1 Tbsp salt for 30 minutes.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat; add diced onion and the hot pepper. Cook until the onion softens.
3. Add the chicken pieces, stir well, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Season with black pepper, cardamom pods, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, mixed spice, salt, and the remaining spices. Cook gently for 15 minutes.
5. Pour water slowly, covering the chicken, and continue simmering until the chicken is tender.
6. Blend the yogurt with the 2 Tbsp yogurt, lemon juice, cornstarch, paprika, and sumac in a blender until smooth.
7. Roast the cooked chicken on a baking sheet, sprinkle with paprika and sumac, then bake at 375 °F until golden.
8. Stir the yogurt blend into the strained chicken broth, bring to a boil, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
9. Cook the soaked rice in a saucepan with the boiling broth until the grains absorb the liquid. Reduce heat and keep covered.
10. Serve the rice on a platter, top with roasted chicken, drizzle with the yogurt sauce, and garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve with a side of yogurt soup.

Nutrition (per serving)