Chicken Jareesh – Traditional Recipe – How to Cook Chicken Jareesh

Chicken Jareesh – Traditional Recipe – How to Cook Chicken Jareesh

Chicken Jareesh is a traditional Arabic dish that has deep roots in both the Levant and the Gulf regions. It’s particularly popular during the holy month of Ramadan thanks to its nutritional value and ease of digestion. Seniors especially favor this dish for its soft texture and richness in essential vitamins and digestive-friendly fibers.

Jareesh refers to crushed wheat—not finely ground like flour, but coarsely cracked. It’s a simple, budget-friendly meal that can be prepared with chicken, meat, or even vegetables.

Ingredients:

 

For the Main Dish:

• ½ chicken, cut into pieces

• Water for boiling the chicken

• 3 bay leaves

• ½ teaspoon of cardamom pods

• ½ cup of jareesh (cracked wheat)

• 3 cups of liquid milk

• 50 grams of butter

• 2 cups of chicken broth

• 1 tablespoon of salt

For the Sauce:

• 1 medium onion, diced into small cubes

• 25 grams of butter

• 3 tablespoons of ground cumin

• 3 tablespoons of lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon of ground cardamom

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Preparation Steps:

Start by placing the chicken pieces into a large pot and cover them with water. Add the bay leaves and cardamom pods, then bring the mixture to a boil over high heat until the chicken is fully cooked.

Remove the chicken from the pot, separate the meat from the bones, and roughly shred it.

In another pot, add the jareesh and the chicken broth. Let it boil for about 15 minutes. Then, add the shredded chicken to the pot and mix well. Stir in the salt.

Add the butter to the mixture and stir gently. Pour in the milk and continue stirring until everything blends smoothly.

Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning at the bottom.

Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter, then add the diced onions and sauté until they soften.

Add the cumin, ground cardamom, and lemon juice to the onions. Stir well until everything is fully combined and aromatic.

Remove the sauce from heat.

Once the jareesh is fully cooked and creamy, pour it into a serving dish. Spoon the prepared sauce over the top for flavor and presentation.

Serve hot and enjoy alongside yogurt or a fresh salad if desired.

Bon appétit!