SAEDNEWS: Cabbage rice with chicken is a popular and elegant dish. It can also be made with meatballs, ground meat, or vegetarian. Shirazi-style cabbage rice with meatballs is especially famous. Rich in nutrients, cabbage is delicious and highly recommended in any form.
Cooking various types of rice is an art every Iranian home cook should master! From preparing Loubia Polo (green bean rice) to Sabzi Polo with fish, knowing these recipes is essential for successful cooking in Iranian kitchens. Some rice dishes, like Cabbage Rice (Kalam Polo), are particularly popular during certain seasons. In this article, we’ll guide you through making Cabbage Rice with Chicken, a flavorful and aromatic dish. This recipe combines ingredients like orange peel, saffron, dried lime powder, and cabbage to create a truly delicious meal.
Ingredients for Cabbage Rice with Shredded Chicken
1 chicken breast
1 medium cabbage
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3 cups rice
2 onions
1 teaspoon cumin
1 carrot
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Saffron and butter as needed
Salt, black pepper, turmeric as needed
How to Prepare Cabbage Rice with Chicken
Prepare the rice and chicken: Rinse the rice thoroughly and soak it briefly with a pinch of salt. In a pot, sauté the chicken breast in a little oil until it changes color. Season with salt, black pepper, turmeric, and one quartered onion. Add boiling water and cook the chicken until done, then remove and shred it.
Cook the cabbage: Finely chop the cabbage and sauté it in a pan with some oil, fresh lemon juice, a pinch of cinnamon, cumin, and black pepper. Cook until the cabbage softens and reduces in volume. Lemon juice is essential—it removes any cabbage odor and enhances the flavor of the rice.
Combine vegetables and chicken: Dice the remaining onion and sauté it. Add the shredded cabbage, grated carrot, and shredded chicken. Season with saffron, cinnamon, cumin powder, and salt. Finally, add tomato paste and sauté briefly until the raw smell disappears.
Layer and steam the rice: Boil the rice until soft, then drain. In a pot, place a suitable tahdig (crispy rice layer), then layer the rice with the chicken and cabbage mixture. Repeat in layers and steam for 30 minutes.
Key Tips for Perfect Cabbage Rice with Chicken
The dish relies heavily on its aromatic spices—don’t skip them.
You can chop the chicken into pieces instead of shredding if preferred.
Finish the dish with a touch of butter and saffron for extra aroma and richness.
Enjoy your flavorful, festive Cabbage Rice with Chicken!
