World Flavors Cookbook

Chicken Zurbian

The Adeni version of Biryani — aromatic chicken and potato rice dish flavored with yogurt, fried onions, and a special spice blend, smoked with charcoal.

Cuisine: Yemen

Ingredients

• 1kg chicken, cut into pieces
• 3 cups basmati rice
• 2 potatoes, peeled and halved
• 1 cup yogurt
• 2 cups fried onions
• Zurbian spice: cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, peppercorns
• Garlic and ginger paste
• Saffron and charcoal for smoking

Instructions

1. Blend yogurt, fried onions, garlic, ginger, and spices into a paste.
2. Marinate chicken and potatoes in this paste.
3. Cook chicken and potatoes until tender.
4. Layer parboiled rice over the chicken.
5. Add saffron water, smoke with charcoal, and let steam for 20 minutes.
6. Serve on a large platter, flipping the pot to reveal the colorful layers.