RecipesBahrainBahraini Chicken Fukhara

Bahraini Chicken Fukhara

A comforting and flavorful baked chicken dish cooked in a traditional clay pot (fukhara), infused with aromatic spices and vegetables.

Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time1 hour 40 minutes
Servings4
DifficultyMedium
Bahraini Chicken Fukhara - Bahrain traditional dish

🧂 Ingredients

  • 1 kg Chicken pieces(bone-in, skin-on)
  • 2 large Onions(sliced)
  • 3 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
  • 1 medium Bell pepper(any color, sliced)
  • 4 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
  • 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
  • 2 tbsp Baharat spice mix
  • 1 tsp Turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp Cumin powder
  • 1 tsp Coriander powder
  • 3 pods Cardamom pods(lightly crushed)
  • 1 small Cinnamon stick
  • 1 piece Dried lime (loomi)(pricked with a fork)
  • 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
  • Salt(to taste)
  • Black pepper(to taste)
  • 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). If using a traditional fukhara, ensure it is oven-safe and has been seasoned if necessary.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with sliced onions, chopped tomatoes, sliced bell pepper, minced garlic, and grated ginger.

  3. 3

    Add the Baharat spice mix, turmeric, cumin, coriander, crushed cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, and dried lime to the bowl. Season generously with salt and black pepper.

  4. 4

    Drizzle with vegetable oil and mix everything thoroughly to ensure the chicken and vegetables are well coated with the spices.

  5. 5

    Transfer the mixture into the fukhara or a deep oven-safe dish. Ensure the ingredients are layered evenly.

  6. 6

    Cover the fukhara tightly with its lid or cover the dish with aluminum foil. If using a fukhara, it's often placed directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet.

  7. 7

    Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender, and the vegetables are soft.

  8. 8

    Remove from the oven, let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.

💡 Pro Tips

  • Ensure your fukhara is properly seasoned and has no cracks before use.
  • Adjust the spice levels according to your preference.
  • Serve hot with Arabic bread or steamed rice.

🔄 Variations

  • Add cubed potatoes or carrots along with the other vegetables.
  • For a richer flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

🏷️ Tags