Ouzi with Chicken – Traditional Levantine Dish

Ouzi with Chicken – Traditional Levantine Dish

Ouzi with chicken is one of the most delicious and elegant dishes of Levantine cuisine, often prepared for special occasions and celebrations. It is considered a luxurious meal, rich in nutrients and packed with flavors that make it a true centerpiece on the table.

The dish has traveled from Syria to neighboring countries, with each kitchen adding its own personal touch, which is why you’ll find many variations across the region. Despite the differences, Ouzi always remains a hearty and nourishing dish, full of proteins, starches, and carbohydrates that provide the body with great energy.

Because it includes rice and meat as its foundation, it offers a balanced meal that supplies the body with essential nutrients. Preparing Ouzi can be labor-intensive, and in traditional households, when large quantities were made, several women often gathered together to cook it.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6):

 

• 2 large chickens, cut into 8 pieces

• 4 cups short-grain rice

• ½ kilogram finely minced veal

• 4 onions

• 7 garlic cloves

• 3 tomatoes, finely chopped

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 3 green hot peppers (optional)

• ½ cup chopped parsley

• 1 piece crushed ginger

• 2 tablespoons salt

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 10 cardamom pods

• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom

• 1 teaspoon turmeric

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 4 bay leaves

• 2 tablespoons mixed spices

• 1 teaspoon saffron

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• Almonds, pine nuts, and raisins for garnish

Preparation Method:

1. Wash the rice and soak it for 30 minutes, then drain.

2. In a deep pot, bring water to a boil. Add the chicken pieces, tomatoes, parsley, onions, garlic, peppers, salt, whole cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, saffron, ginger, and turmeric. Let the chicken cook until tender.

3. Remove the chicken pieces, place them on a tray, and brush with tomato paste.

4. In another pot, heat the oil, add the minced veal, and sauté with onions until the onions soften. Add garlic, mixed spices, ground cardamom, black pepper, and then the rice. Stir everything together.

5. Pour in 6 cups of the chicken broth from boiling the chicken, reduce the heat, and let the rice cook until fully done.

6. Meanwhile, place the chicken tray in the oven for about 10 minutes until the chicken is roasted and golden.

7. To serve, place the rice on a large platter, arrange the chicken pieces on top, and garnish with roasted almonds, pine nuts, and raisins.

The result is a festive dish that blends tender chicken, fragrant rice, and the crunch of nuts—an unforgettable meal to share with family and loved ones.