Bahraini Chicken Mouzaama
A flavorful and aromatic chicken dish from Bahrain, featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich, spiced tomato-based sauce with a hint of sweetness. Often served with rice.
🧂 Ingredients
- 800 g Chicken thighs(bone-in, skin-on, cut into pieces)
- 2 medium Onions(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch Ginger(grated)
- 400 g Tomatoes(crushed or pureed)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 250 ml Chicken broth
- 2 tsp Baharat spice mix
- 1 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- 0.5 tsp Cumin powder
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 3 Cardamom pods
- 1 Dried lime (loomi)(pierced)
- 1 tbsp Honey or date syrup
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- Salt(to taste)
- Black pepper(to taste)
- Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until softened and lightly golden, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 minutes - 2
Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pot. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute - 3
Add the chicken pieces to the pot and brown them on all sides. This will take about 5-8 minutes.
⏱️ 8 minutes - 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Baharat spice mix, turmeric, coriander, and cumin. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring to coat the chicken.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 5
Pour in the chicken broth, add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and the pierced dried lime. Season with salt and black pepper.
- 6
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
⏱️ 40 minutes💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. - 7
Stir in the honey or date syrup during the last 5 minutes of cooking to add a touch of sweetness and glaze.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 8
Remove the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and dried lime before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a spicier dish, add a pinch of chili flakes with the other spices.
- ✓Ensure the chicken is well-browned for deeper flavor.
- ✓Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less honey/date syrup to your preference.
🔄 Variations
- Use chicken breast, but reduce cooking time to avoid drying out.
- Add a handful of chickpeas for added texture and protein.
- Serve with vermicelli rice or plain basmati rice.