Chicken Maqluba Recipe: An AMAZING Arabic Upside Down Rice!

A simple and delicious Maqluba recipe you’ll want to make again and again If you’re looking for a simple, easy, and delicious rice dish, this chicken Maqluba is the perfect choice. Tender chicken, golden fried vegetables, and perfectly seasoned rice are layered together and cooked in one pot — then flipped into a beautiful dish that never fails to impress. This easy Maqluba recipe may look fancy, but it’s actually quick, straightforward, and beginner-friendly. It’s ideal for family lunches, dinners, gatherings, or even special occasions. Once you try it, you’ll understand why this classic layered rice dish is loved across the Middle East. Give this simple and flavorful Maqluba a try, and let me know in the comments how it turned out for you. Wishing you a truly delicious meal ❤️ Chicken Maqluba (Layered Rice with Eggplant & Potatoes) Ingredients: For the chicken and broth One whole chicken, cut into pieces One tablespoon vegetable oil One large onion, chopped (200 g | about 1½ cups) Two cinnamon sticks Three bay leaves One teaspoon each: cardamom, cloves, coriander seeds, black pepper One tablespoon salt Hot water, as needed For the rice: Basmati rice (600 g | about 3 cups), rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes Half teaspoon salt Half teaspoon each: cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper For the vegetables: Three eggplants, sliced thick (700 g | about 1.5 lb) Three potatoes, sliced thick (about 500 g | 1 lb) One onion, thinly sliced (250 g | about 2 cups) Vegetable oil for frying For garnish: Fresh coriander (cilantro) Instructions 1. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft. 2. Add cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and spices. Stir until fragrant. 3. Add the chicken pieces and turn until lightly colored. 4. Cover with hot water, season with salt, cover, and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes. 5. Remove the chicken and strain the broth. Set aside. 6. Fry the eggplant slices until golden. Fry the potatoes in the same oil. Fry the sliced onion until deep golden brown. 7. Line a clean pot with parchment paper. Place the chicken at the bottom. 8. Layer the fried potatoes and eggplant over the chicken, then add the fried onions. 9. Drain the rice and season it with salt and spices. Add it evenly over the layers. 10. Slowly pour the strained broth over the rice. 11. Cover and cook on medium heat until the liquid reduces, then lower the heat and cook for 30 minutes. 12. Turn off the heat and let the Maqluba rest for 10 minutes. 13. Carefully flip onto a serving platter, garnish with fresh coriander, and serve. ⏱ Chapters 00:00 Introduction – What is Maqluba 00:13 Preparing the chicken and spices 01:17 Washing and soaking the rice 01:30 Frying eggplant and potatoes 02:26 Frying onions 02:55 Straining the broth 03:26 Layering the Maqluba 04:33 Adding broth and cooking 05:02 Flipping the Maqluba 05:21 Serving and final result ℹ️ Notes Subtitles are available — choose your preferred language from the video settings. This Maqluba recipe can be made with chicken or meat. Letting the pot rest before flipping helps keep the layers intact. الوصفة: مقلوبة دجاج بالباذنجان والبطاطس المكونات للدجاج والمرق دجاجة كاملة مقطعة ملعقة كبيرة زيت نباتي بصلة كبيرة مفرومة (200 جرام | حوالي كوب ونصف) عودان قرفة ثلاث ورقات غار ملعقة صغيرة من كلٍ من: الهيل، القرنفل، حب الكزبرة، الفلفل الأسود ملعقة كبيرة ملح ماء ساخن حسب الحاجة للأرز: أرز بسمتي (600 جرام | حوالي 3 أكواب)، مغسول ومنقوع 30 دقيقة نصف ملعقة صغيرة ملح نصف ملعقة صغيرة من كلٍ من: الهيل، القرنفل، القرفة، الكركم، الفلفل الأسود للخضار: ثلاث حبات باذنجان مقطعة شرائح سميكة (700 جرام | حوالي 1.5 رطل) ثلاث حبات بطاطس مقطعة شرائح سميكة (حوالي 500 جرام | 1 رطل) بصلة واحدة مقطعة شرائح رفيعة (250 جرام | حوالي كوبين) زيت نباتي للقلي للتزيين كزبرة خضراء طازجة #maqluba #arabicrice #مقلوبة