Arabic yellow rice with chickpeas. My Arabic spiced rice with chickpeas is a super easy recipe to make and is the perfect side dish! This Palestinian rice recipe is so delicious and healthy for you too!
Arabic yellow rice, also called Palestinian kudra, is a delicious and popular side dish all over the Middle East.
My Arabic yellow rice is spiced with saffron, black pepper, cardamom, clove, and cinnamon. Each region makes their yellow rice a little differently, so please adjust the spices to your liking!
WHAT DOES ARABIC YELLOW RICE WITH CHICKPEAS TASTE LIKE?
Arabic yellow rice tastes savory with hints of cinnamon, clove, and cardamom. It is not too strong and pairs perfectly with Arabic roasted chicken.
IS ARABIC YELLOW RICE HEALTHY FOR YOU?
Yes! My Arabic yellow rice recipe is totally healthy for you! Most recipes are made with white rice, which doesn't have any nutritional value. I made my recipe with healthy and hearty brown rice, plus chickpeas for even more nutrients!
Arabic yellow rice is also totally gluten free and it can easily be made dairy free by substituting out the ghee for any plant oil.
ARABIC YELLOW RICE INGREDIENTS
- Brown rice- high in fiber for gut health!
- Ghee- clarified butter has pre-formed vitamin A.
- Onion- high in vitamin C for healthy collagen in your skin!
- Chickpeas- loaded with many nutrients like fiber, manganese, folate, copper, iron, and more! Almost like nature's multivitamin.
- Broth- bone broth is high in collagen for healthy joints, skin, and hair.
- Spices (saffron, sea salt, black pepper, cardamom, clove, and cinnamon)- many of these spices have anti-inflammatory properties.
WATCH HOW I MADE EASY ARABIC YELLOW RICE WITH SAFFRON
TIPS TO MAKE THE BEST ARABIC YELLOW RICE FLAVOR
SOAK BROWN RICE IN SAFFRON AND BROTH. For the signature yellow rice color, soak saffron and rice with boiling hot broth.
USE ALREADY COOKED SOFT CHICKPEAS. Dry chickpeas will not have enough time to soften in the rice, so use already cooked soft chickpeas.
SAUTE ONION WITH SPICES. Add the spices to the onion before adding the broth. This allows the onions to soak up some of the flavors and make your rice very flavorful.
COOK TILL WATER IS COMPLETLEY ABSORBED. Keep cooking rice until there is no water left. Don't take it off the heat too soon or you will get soggy rice.
SERVE WITH TOASTED SLIVERED ALMONDS OR PINE NUTS. The best topping for Arabic yellow rice is toasted nuts! This is a very authentic way to serve the rice. Make it even more authentic with just a pinch of sumac on top too.
MAKE MY ARABIC YELLOW RICE WITH BROWN RICE
I took a classic yellow rice recipe and made it much healthier with brown rice and chickpeas! It'll taste just as delicious as the classic white rice version, but with way more health benefits.
HOW TO MAKE IT WITH BROWN RICE
Step 1- grind saffron and soak rice
In a mortar and pestle, grind ¼ teaspoon of saffron. Add it to a heat proof bowl along with 1 cup of washed brown rice and 2 cups of boiling hot chicken broth.
Stir to mix the saffron in and set aside while you prepare the rest.
Step 2- sauté onion and spices
In a medium sized sauce pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of ghee or organic butter. Add 1 large diced yellow onion. Sauté until the onion is soft and very fragrant.
Stir in 1 teaspoon pink sea salt, ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper, ½ teaspoon cardamom, ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves, and ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon. Some people also like ½ teaspoon of ground cumin to theirs.
Step 3- add soaked rice and chickpeas
Once spices are fragrant, add all the yellow rice and broth with saffron to the pot along with 1 cup of soft chickpeas.
Stir and bring to a boil.
Step 4- cook and serve
Once broth is boiling, stir again and cover with a tight fitting lid.
Reduce heat to low and cook until rice has absorbed all the water, about 20-30 minutes.
Serve Arabic yellow rice with toasted almonds, sumac, and fresh chopped parsley.
Other authentic Arabic recipes with rice you might like:
- Jordanian Maqluba
- Jordanian Ouzi with Roast Chicken
- Ouzi Lamb
- Palestinian Musakhan
- Chicken Kabsa
- Shorbat Adas
- Arabic Chopped Salad
- Dwali (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
- Galayet Bandora
- Sfiha
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions about my Palestinian yellow rice recipe.
How do I serve Arabic yellow rice?
Serve yellow rice as a side dish, usually some kind of meat dish like roasted chicken. Top your rice with sumac, parsley, and toasted slivered almonds.
Can I make it with white rice instead?
Yes! Use the same amount of everything for the white rice version.
How can I color yellow rice if I don't have saffron?
Use ½ teaspoon of turmeric instead of saffron to color rice yellow.
How long does yellow rice last?
This will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
Looking to make some Arabic dessert? Try my Arabic Walnut Baklava!
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Arabic Yellow Rice with Chickpeas (Palestinian Kudra)
Equipment
- large heat proof bowl
Ingredients
For the yellow rice:
- ¼ teaspoon dried saffron threads
- 1 cup brown rice
- 2 cups hot chicken or beef broth sub vegetable broth if vegetarian
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- 1 lg yellow onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon pink sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup soft chickpeas
To serve:
- toasted almond slivers
- sumac
- fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
Step 1: grind saffron and soak rice
- In a mortar and pestle, grind ¼ teaspoon of saffron.
- Add saffron to a heat proof bowl along with 1 cup of washed brown rice and 2 cups of boiling hot chicken broth. Stir to mix the saffron in and set aside while you prepare the rest.
Step 2: sauté onion and spices
- In a medium sized sauce pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of ghee or organic butter. Add 1 large diced yellow onion. Sauté until the onion is soft and very fragrant. Stir in 1 teaspoon pink sea salt, ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper, ½ teaspoon cardamom, ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves, and ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon. Some people also like ½ teaspoon of ground cumin to theirs.
Step 3: add soaked rice and chickpeas
- Once spices are fragrant, add all the yellow rice and broth with saffron to the pot along with 1 cup of soft chickpeas. Stir and bring to a boil.
Step 4: cook then serve
- Once broth is boiling, stir again and cover with a tight fitting lid.Reduce heat to low and cook until rice has absorbed all the water, about 20-30 minutes.Serve Arabic yellow rice with toasted almonds, sumac, and fresh chopped parsley.
S
I’ve made yellow rice many times before and it just wasn’t perfect. But you absolutely nailed the spices in this! Thank you!!
Kathy
I love Arabic yellow rice! I’m so excited to try your healthy version with the brown rice how unique !!
Rosemary
I'm so glad you liked it!!
Rosemary
I can't wait to hear what you think of the healthy version!!