Classic Chicken Mandy – Fragrant Middle Eastern Rice & Chicken Dish
Chicken Mandy is a traditional Yemeni dish made with aromatic basmati rice, tender bone-in chicken, and a warm blend of Middle Eastern spices like cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, and saffron.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 2.5 lbs bone-in skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- For the Rice:
- 2 cups basmati rice rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 medium tomatoes chopped
- 3 tbsp oil or ghee
- 3 cups chicken broth or water
- 1/4 tsp saffron threads soaked in 2 tbsp warm water
- Salt to taste
- For Garnish:
- 1/4 cup toasted almonds or pine nuts
- Fried onions optional
- Fresh parsley or coriander leaves optional
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Mix yogurt, lemon juice, and all the spices in a bowl. Coat chicken well and marinate for at least 1 hour (overnight for best results).
- Sear Chicken: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Sear marinated chicken until browned on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- Make Base: In the same pot, add remaining oil and sauté onions until soft. Add garlic and tomatoes, cooking until they break down.
- Add Chicken & Simmer: Return chicken to pot. Add 3 cups broth or water. Cover and simmer for about 30–40 minutes, or until chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Cook Rice: Remove chicken. Strain broth if desired, then use it to cook the rice with saffron water added. Cover and cook until fluffy.
- Assemble: Plate the rice in a large dish. Arrange chicken on top. Spoon a bit of broth over for added moisture.
- Garnish: Top with nuts, fried onions, and fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
For smoky flavor, you can use the coal method: place a hot coal in foil inside the pot and drizzle with oil before sealing the pot for 5 minutes.
Bone-in chicken retains more flavor and moisture than boneless cuts.