Maqluba (Upside Down Chicken with Rice)

Maqluba is a comforting layered rice dish popular across the Levant, known for its dramatic flip before serving. This version features chicken and golden fried eggplant, cauliflower, and potatoes, all simmered together in a fragrant spiced broth and served with cool yogurt and a fresh salad.

Maqluba

A comforting layered rice dish popular across the Levant, featuring chicken, fried eggplant, cauliflower, and potatoes, simmered in a spiced broth and served with yogurt and salad.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Levantine, Middle Eastern
Servings 4 servings
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the main dish

  • 2 cups rice Long-grain rice is preferred.
  • 1 lb chicken Cut into pieces.
  • 1 medium eggplant Sliced and fried.
  • 1 medium cauliflower Cut into florets.
  • 2 medium potatoes Sliced and fried.
  • 1 medium onion Chopped.
  • 4 cups chicken broth Or water with chicken bouillon.
  • 2 teaspoons cumin For seasoning.
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon For seasoning.
  • 1 teaspoon salt To taste.
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper To taste.

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Fry the eggplant and potatoes until golden brown. Set aside.
  • In a pot, sauté the chopped onion until translucent.
  • Add chicken pieces and brown on all sides.
  • Stir in the spices (cumin, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper) and cook for a few more minutes.

Cooking

  • Add the chicken broth to the pot and bring to a boil.
  • Stir in the rice, then layer the fried eggplant, cauliflower, and potatoes on top.
  • Cover and simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and has absorbed the liquid.

Serving

  • Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before flipping it onto a serving platter.
  • Serve with cool yogurt and a fresh salad.

Notes

Maqluba is traditionally flipped out of the pot onto a serving platter to reveal the beautiful layers. You can use different vegetables according to your preference.
Keyword chicken, Comfort Food, layered rice dish, Maqluba, vegetables

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