Riz a Djej Lebanese Rice with Chicken Recipe (2024)

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Riz a Djej, also known as Lebanese Rice with Chicken, is one of our favourite Middle Eastern comfort foods to cook at home.

The one-pot Lebanese rice dish is quick and easy to make, ready to serve in under an hour.

Our homemade Riz a Djej recipe features simple and affordable ingredients like cashews, pine nuts, olive oil, vermicelli noodles, onion, chicken thighs, cinnamon, all spice, coriander, cumin, long grain rice, chicken broth, fresh mint and parsley.

Serve Lebanese Rice with Chicken as an aromatic and fragrant side dish at your next Middle Eastern dinner party alongside falafel, shawarma, kibbeh, kofta and a fresh salad.

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Riz a Djej Lebanese Rice with Chicken Recipe (1)

What Is Riz a Djej?

Riz a Djej, also known as Lebanese Rice with Chicken, is a popular comfort food from Lebanon.

The Middle Eastern side dish features shredded or sliced chicken, long grain rice, vermicelli noodles, fragrant spices, fresh herbs and toasted cashews and pine nuts.

The eye-popping dish is often served at the centre of the table at special holidays and celebrations.

Some traditional recipes instruct you to invert the pot onto a plate but our quick recipe can be scooped into a large bowl and garnished with nuts and fresh herbs before arriving at the table.

Join Dobbernationloves founder Andrew Dobson in the kitchen by signing up for a fun virtual cooking class! Classes begin with a co*cktail that you can sip while preparing 2-3 recipes that are curated around a unique culinary theme. Check out our current Cooking Class Schedule!

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Travel to Lebanon by Cooking Riz a Djej at Home

I love traveling to the Middle East.

As a professional food and travel journalist, I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy amazing meals in the Middle East, from authentic markets to award winning restaurants.

For over ten years, I’ve been on the hunt for the most delicious Lebanese Chicken Rice via adventures that had me zig-zagging through Morocco, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Israel and Dubai. You guessed it! Some of my fondest food memories while traveling in the Middle East include fragrant feasts featuring Riz a Djej.

I ate regional versions of Lebanese Rice and Chicken at a traditional Moroccan riad, on food tours of Istanbul and Bodrum, accompanied by Egyptian tea on a Nile Cruise and in bustling market in Cairo, late night snack in Amman, al fresco market lunch in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and accompanied by fresh salads and soup at a massive Middle Eastern barbecue in the middle of the Dubai desert while belly dancers twirled under the night sky.

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Where To Eat Lebanese Rice with Chicken

If you live in a large city inCanadaorAmericayou’ll likely have access to a local Middle Eastern restaurant that serves a traditional Riz a Djej recipe.

Haven’t traveled to the Middle East before? It may be helpful to first sample the dish at a local Lebanese restaurant to better understand how the dish is served. You’ll get an idea for the desired rice to vermicelli ratio, size of shredded or sliced chicken, and combination of fresh herbs and toasted nuts.

InToronto, popular Middle Eastern restaurants that may serve their very own Lebanese Chicken Rice recipe includeParallel, Byblos, Tabule, Fat Pasha, Maha’s, Masrawy Kitchen and Paramount Fine Foods.

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My Family Loves Lebanese Rice with Chicken

When my family moved to Oakville the first restaurant we visited was a local Egyptian and Lebanese restaurant called Agabi.

Ranked as one of the best restaurants in Oakville, Agabi, became our family’s go-to Middle Eastern take out joint.

After falling in love with Middle Eastern food at home, we enjoyed vacations to the region, feasting on endless bowls of hummus, falafel and Lebanese Rice with Chicken.

My family enjoys preparing this easy recipe at the cottage in Muskoka during the summer served alongside Middle Eastern barbecued meat and seafood.

I knew my parents would love this Lebanese rice dish as they enjoy recipes made with fragrant spices, tender chicken, fresh herbs and toasted nuts.

Serve this delicious mouth-watering Riz a Djej recipe at your next Middle Eastern dinner party or as part of a buffet featuring fresh salads and hearty soups.

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Riz a Djej Health Benefits

Our homemade Lebanese Rice with Chicken is packed full of healthy ingredients!

Olive Oil is ranked as one of the healthiest fats and is a staple in the Mediterranean diet. It contains vitamins E and K and plenty of beneficial fatty acids and antioxidants.

Chicken is high in protein and provides B vitamins such as niacin, which helps your body access the energy in foods.

Cashews are low in sugar and rich in fibre, heart-healthy fats, and plant protein. They’re also a good source of copper, magnesium, and manganese — nutrients important for energy production, brain health, immunity, and bone health.

Pine Nuts are rich in magnesium, iron, antioxidants, zinc, and protein, which can help with diabetes management, heart health, and brain health.

Onions are a humble vegetable packed with vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Regular consumption of onions can help boost digestive health and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

A rich source of blood-building iron, cumin may also help balance your blood sugar levels and reduce bad cholesterol. It is also traditionally used as a digestive aid.

Rich in energy-boosting manganese, cinnamon is also antibacterial and may protect your brain against Alzheimer’s disease.

A good source of bone-strengthening vitamin K, coriander is also rich in antioxidants that help protect the eyes from damage by free radicals.

Nearly 50% of the people in the world get over 50% of their daily calories from rice. If eating brown rice featuring nutritious bran you’ll enjoy health benefits like cancer risk reduction and diabetes control.

Fresh mint is antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and can have a calming effect on the digestive system. It is also a good source of folate, which supports blood health.

An excellent source of vitamin K, as well as vitamin C, folate, and iron, parsley helps keep your bones and blood healthy, and protects your skin from damage by free radicals.

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Lebanese Rice and Chicken Recipe Cooking Tips

If it’s your first time cooking Riz a Djej at home be sure to review our detailed step-by-step recipe below. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to get you started:

  • We suggest using a large pot or Dutch Oven to prepare Lebanese Rice with Chicken over the stove.
  • We’ve used olive oil in this recipe but you can substitue for canola oil if you prefer.
  • We like using skinless boneless chicken thighs in this recipe as they are tender and full of flavour. You can substitute for chicken breasts if you prefer.
  • We’ve used Spanish cooking onions in this recipe but you can substitue for red onion, white onion or sweet Vidalia onion.
  • We’ve garnished the dish with toasted pine nuts and cashews but you can also use slivered almonds and pistachios.
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What To Serve with Lebanese Chicken Rice

We love to serve this easy homemade Lebanese Rice as a side dish at Middle Eastern dinners.

We suggest doubling the recipe as leftovers can be enjoyed as a quick and easy lunch throughout the week.

If you’re hosting a buffet or potluck we suggest serving Riz a Djej with other popular Lebanese dishes like:

  • Easy One Pot Lebanese Beef Hashweh Rice
  • Mdardara Lebanese Caramelized Onion Lentil Rice
  • Ejjeh Vegetarian Lebanese Herb Omelette
  • Lebanese Spiced Minced Beef Stuffed Pita Arayes
  • Vegan Lebanese Cabbage Malfouf Salad
  • Moghrabieh Lebanese Chickpea Chicken Couscous
  • Mutabbal Vegan Middle Eastern Eggplant Dip
  • Healthy Chicken Shawarma Plate
  • Sweet Lebanese Sesame Tahini Rolls
  • Lebanese Toum Kebab Shop Garlic Sauce
  • Za’atar Butter Bean Dip
  • Lebanese Kibbeh Fried Beef Croquette
  • Lebanese Eggplant Fatteh
  • Lebanese Lamb Dumplings Shish Barak
  • Lebanese Lentil Soup Adas Bil Hamod
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You May Also Enjoy These Chicken Recipes…

  • Moroccan Seffa Medfouna Saffron Chicken Vermicelli
  • Crispy Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich
  • Aguadito de Pollo Peruvian Chicken Soup
  • Creamy Coconut Burmese Chicken Curry
  • Moroccan Chicken Lentil Stew Rfissa
  • Paprikas Csirke Hungarian Chicken Paprikash
  • Egyptian Crispy Crusted Dukkah Chicken
  • Ca Ri Ga Vietnamese Chicken Curry
  • Yum Woon Sen Thai Glass Noodle Salad
  • Japanese Ponzu Chicken
  • Khai Jiao Thai Ground Chicken Omelet
  • Crispy Roast Chicken and Leek Risotto
  • Palestinian Chicken Musakhan
  • Air Fried Cornish Hen
Riz a Djej Lebanese Rice with Chicken Recipe (9)

How To Make Riz a Djej Lebanese Rice with Chicken

Riz a Djej Lebanese Rice with Chicken Recipe (10)

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Riz a Djej Lebanese Rice with Chicken

How to make Lebanese Rice with Chicken. Our Riz a Djej recipe features vermicelli, rice, cashews, pine nuts, Middle Eastern spices & herbs.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: lebanese

Keyword: Lebanese rice with chicken

Servings: 6

Calories: 453kcal

Equipment

  • French knife

  • measuring cups

  • measuring spoons

  • Large pot

  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Cashews
  • 1/4 cup Pine Nuts
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 4 oz Vermicelli Pasta broken into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 Medium Yellow Onion chopped
  • 1 lb Boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 Cinnamon Stick
  • 1 tsp All Spice
  • 1 tbsp Ground Coriander
  • 1 tbsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 cup Long Grain White Rice
  • 2 1/2 cups Chicken Broth
  • Kosher Salt and Black Pepper
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Mint or Parsley chopped

Instructions

  • Spread the cashews and pine nuts onto a small pan that fits inside your toaster oven. Toast the nuts until golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Set aside.

  • In a large pot or Dutch Oven over medium-high heat, toast the vermicelli, stirring, until golden for 3-4 minutes. Add the oil, onion and chicken. Cook, stirring, until the onion has softened and the pasta is slightly darker.

  • Stir in the cinnamon stick, all spice, coriander, cumin, rice, chicken broth, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.

  • Boil then cover, reduce to low and cook until the liquid has been absorbed, 10-12 minutes. Uncover, drape a towel across the top and replace the lid. Let stand for 10 minutes.

  • Using a fork, fluff the mixture, then season with salt and pepper. Spoon the chicken and rice mixture into a serving bowl and top with toasted nuts and fresh herbs.

Nutrition

Calories: 453kcal | Carbohydrates: 43.8g | Protein: 28.8g | Fat: 17.8g | Saturated Fat: 3.2g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 389mg | Potassium: 346mg | Fiber: 2.1g | Sugar: 2.6g | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 3mg

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Riz a Djej Lebanese Rice with Chicken Recipe (11)
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Riz a Djej Lebanese Rice with Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is riz a jej lebanese dish? ›

Lebanese chicken and rice, also known as “roz a djej,” is a comforting meal the whole family will love. This delicious dinner consists of shredded chicken cooked to perfection with a blend of spices, served over a bed of Lebanese-style hashweh.

What is chicken and rice made of? ›

This super simple dish includes juicy chicken thighs coated in herbs and spices (not spicy!), sautéed onions, and long grain white rice cooked in vegetable broth. Because you cook everything in one pot from start to finish, no flavors are lost.

What to add to rice and chicken reddit? ›

I like marinated and baked chicken and with white rice and a bag of the frozen microwavable steamed broccoli and cheese sauce. Then add garlic powder, pepper, and salt if needed. Cook your rice in stock or broth, add a bit of butter and salt & pepper to flavor, also, I use jasmine rice.

What are 4 dishes traditionally eaten in Lebanon? ›

Well-known dishes include baba ghanouj, tabbouleh, sfeeha, falafel and shawarma. An important component of many Lebanese meals is hummus, a chickpea puree dish, and many dishes are eaten with flatbread. Well-known desserts include baklawa, sfouf and ka'ak.

What is the Lebanese national dish? ›

The national dish of Lebanon is kibbeh, an emulsified paste of fresh lamb and bulgur wheat with spices. Meat tends to be made into nuggets and charcoaled or stuffed into vegetables. Vegetables are usually the main feature of the meal.

Is chicken and rice really healthy? ›

Yep, chicken and rice is a solid meal choice for weight loss. Chicken is a great source of lean protein, meaning it'll supply more protein for less calories than other cuts of meat like lean steak or salmon. Plus, the combo of carbs and protein will keep you satisfied for hours.

What country is known for chicken and rice? ›

Hainanese chicken rice is considered one of Singapore's national dishes. It is eaten "everywhere, every day" in Singapore and is a "ubiquitous sight in hawker centres across the country".

What can I put on chicken and rice to make it taste better? ›

Add spices and herbs: Before cooking the rice, add a pinch of salt, some black pepper, and a few dried herbs such as thyme, oregano, or rosemary. You can also use ground cumin, turmeric, or cinnamon to add more flavor. Use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water: This will add more flavor to the rice as it cooks.

What can I mix with rice to make it better? ›

As for those additions, here they are:
  1. Stir in a tablespoon or more of butter.
  2. Stir in a tablespoon or more of olive oil.
  3. Drizzle with soy sauce.
  4. Add lots of pepper.
  5. Stir in a couple of tablespoons minced fresh herbs, ideally warmed first in melted butter.
Oct 18, 2019

Why am I still hungry after eating chicken and rice? ›

You may feel hungry after eating due to a lack of protein or fiber in your diet, not eating enough high volume foods, hormone issues like leptin resistance, or behavioral and lifestyle choices.

What type of food is Riz? ›

Riz gras or riz au gras is a rice-based dish in Beninese, Burkinabé, Guinean, Ivorian, and Togolese cuisines, in West Africa. It is also prepared in other African countries, such as Senegal, where it is called tiebou djen and is prepared with significant amounts of fish and meat.

What is kibbeh the Lebanese national dish made of? ›

What is kibbeh made of? With origins in the Middle East – and considered the national dish of Lebanon – kibbeh is a combination of bulgur cracked wheat, chopped onions, baharat (seven spices) and lean beef, goat, lamb, fish or camel mince meat.

What type of dish is Kabsa? ›

Kabsa is the national dish of Saudi Arabia. It is a dish made of rice and meat, cooked either separately or together. It can be made with spices and camel meat, lamb, chicken or fish. It is usually eaten for lunch and sometimes for dinner.

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