Chicken and Rice

Enjoy a juicy chicken mandi

Experience the rich tradition of Yemeni cuisine with chicken mandi. This culinary delight marries the intricate flavours and textures of the Middle East, offering a slow-cooked feast that is as satisfying to prepare as it is to savour. Smell the many spices, taste the incredible flavours, and enjoy this dish when you are in the mood for something that will exceed everyone’s expectations.

A bed of buttery rice

The basmati rice, infused with fragrant whole spices and dried lime, promises a flavourful and aromatic experience. Cook up the delicious rice, and marvel as the slow cooking method imbues each rice grain with rich spices and chicken juices; all helped along by some Lurpak®, yielding a buttery, soft texture. Chicken mandi is traditionally prepared in a tandoor, which is a cylindrical clay or metal oven known for adding a distinct smoky flavour to foods cooked within its intensely hot, charcoal- or wood-fired chamber. In our recipe, the layering of chicken on the rice captures this essence from the traditional cooking method, giving the rice a complex flavour profile and a slightly sticky texture characteristic of authentic mandi.

Succulent chicken makes your mouth water

Marinated in a mixture of delicious butter and spices and then slow-roasted to perfection, the chicken gets a crispy skin that contrasts its incredibly moist and tender interior. Savour and relish in how the butter helps lock in moisture and tenderise the meat, while the high heat and broiling enhance the crispiness of the skin. The spicy marinade permeates the chicken, ensuring every glorious bite is imbued with the aromatic and smoky flavours of cumin, paprika, and saffron. Once you taste it, you will understand why this Yemeni chicken mandi is such a popular choice.

Served with a rich tomato sauce

Make the day with the final touch to the recipe: the sauce. Made from fresh ingredients full of flavour, it serves as the perfect accompaniment to both the rice and chicken. Tomatoes, green chilli, onions, and garlic work together with tangy lemon juice and vinegar to give it a bright acidity and a slight heat that cut through the richness of the meat and give you a delicious, refreshing mouthfeel. The bright, fresh flavour of tomato and the sharp bite of chilli add layers of flavour that beautifully complement the many warm spices used both for the chicken marinade and the aromatic rice. Finally, the smooth texture of the sauce contrasts with the crispy chicken skin and complements the fluffy, buttery rice, rounding out the dish with a vibrant burst of freshness.

Discover how authentic spices create a culinary wonder

The butter and spice mixture used to marinate the chicken is the game changer in this recipe. The mandi spices refer to a specific blend of spices traditionally used when making Yemeni chicken mandi. This spice blend is key to giving mandi its distinctive flavour, characterised by a warm, aromatic, and slightly spicy profile. The mandi spice mix often includes cumin, coriander, cardamom, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves, turmeric, and saffron. Some blends also have, for example, nutmeg, dried ginger, or fennel seeds, depending on regional and personal preferences.

This also goes to show that with a little Lurpak and some spice, you can take a recipe to the next level. The butter makes it all better: it retains the moisture, keeping the chicken juicy in the oven. It tenderises the meat, softening its texture, and helps achieve crispy, browned skin when you put it back into the oven at high heat under the broiler. Try some of our other flavourful and savoury recipes, filled with amazing spices and fresh ingredients. For example, our shrimp fried rice with Asian flavours, poke bowl with Cajun-spiced salmon, or lamb quzi with Middle Eastern spices.

Strap on your apron and start experimenting

Although this chicken mandi recipe is a classic, there are a lot of delicious variations to experiment with. Consider tweaking the spice blend by adding allspice or smoked paprika for extra depth and a richer smokiness. You can also brush the chicken with a yoghurt and lemon juice marinade before adding the butter and spice mix. This tenderises the meat and adds a refreshing tang. Vegetables like sliced potatoes or carrots beneath the chicken introduce sweet and earthy notes. A final garnish of fresh coriander or a drizzle of pomegranate molasses can add a bright, contrasting finish, elevating the dish with fresh and sweet accents.