Jordanian Ouzi Chicken & Rice recipe. Flavorful Arabic rice mixed with ground beef. Topped with a whole chicken soaked in a delicious Arabic chicken marinade overnight.
My Jordanian Ouzi Rice with Chicken is a must make iftar dish! Ouzi rice with chicken is definitely one of my favorite Arabic meals, right after maqluba. Jordanian ouzi is an excellent healthy recipe to make to break fast during the month of Ramadan because is has a little bit of everything- fiber, protein, and veggies.
I made my ouzi rice recipe with ground beef, but it's super easy to use ground lamb instead if you like lamb in place of beef. I also made mine topped with a roasted chicken, so be sure to make your Arabic chicken marinade the night before so it tastes super flavorful!
If you're looking for an Ouzi Rice Recipe with Lamb instead, make sure to try my delicious Jordanian Ouzi Rice with Roasted Lamb Recipe!
Do you love Arabic food and want to learn how to make delicious authentic Arabic recipes at home? Make sure to read my complete guide on Cooking Arabic Food at Home!
WHAT IS OUZI RICE?
Jordanian Chicken Ouzi Rice in Arabic: أوزي الدجاج الأردني
Ouzi rice is a flavorful Arabic rice made with rice, ground beef, vegetables, and lots of Arabic spices like 7 spices, cardamom, and dried lime. There are different variations of Ouzi rice throughout the Middle East, I am making the version I learned from my Jordanian Mother in Law!
If you're wondering what the ouzi rice origin is, it is said to have actually originated in Turkey, and then travelled to the Levant region of Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Lebanon where it is now widely made as one of the most popular Levant Region recipes!
WHAT IS OUZI MADE OF?
Ouzi is a delicious Middle Eastern Dish of spiced rice and baked lamb or chicken. It is often served for special events like large family gatherings, weddings, during Ramadan, and Eid. You will see chicken most commonly, unless it is a special event and then you will see lamb because lamb is much more expensive and saved to honor special guests and events.
Ouzi is commonly made with sweet and smoky spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, bay leaves and dried lemons or dried limes. You will see little pieces of whole spices as whole spices rather than ground spices are used to spice this delicious Arabic food.
There are many variations of ouzi, especially if you are eating it in Jordan versus Palestine versus Syria and so on. And even ouzi will vary depending on how different women like to cook it.
IS JORDANIAN OUZI CHICKEN HEALTHY?
As a Registered Dietitian I say, Yes! My Jordanian ouzi rice with chicken recipe is healthy for you! My ouzi recipe is made with brown rice instead of white rice, and topped with a healthy flavorful chicken.
Most Arabic chicken ouzi recipes are made with white rice, which really has no nutritional value. So I replaced it with brown rice for a much healthier recipe! I have also used wild rice and it tastes really delicious too and gives an amazing smoky flavor!
If you do love to use white rice, you can easily increase the nutritional value by cooking it with gut healthy bone broth instead of stock or water. Adding bone broth will increase a lot of nutrients in your white rice, especially collagen and protein!
About the Chicken Ouzi ingredients:
- ghee adds a ton of flavor, and has some pre-formed vitamin A.
- onion is high in vitamin C, needed to help collagen form in your skin.
- ground beef is super high in available iron.
- mixed vegetables give you more fiber and more antioxidants.
- brown or wild rice are much higher in fiber for gut health.
- broth is a good source of collagen and protein if you choose bone broth.
- marinated chicken is high in protein and B vitamins.
- pine nuts are high in healthy fats, fiber, protein, iron and magnesium.
TIPS ON MAKING THE BEST ARABIC OUZI CHICKEN RECIPE
SOAK YOUR OUZI CHICKEN OVERNIGHT. For the best Arabic roasted chicken, mix your marinade the night before, toss it in the chicken, and let it soak for 1-2 nights.
ROAST YOUR CHICKEN LOW AND SLOW. For a super juicy Arabic chicken, roast it at a very low temperature in your oven, covered with a lid. I used my dutch oven.
USE HIGH QUALITY ARABIC SPICES. Don't skimp on spices! And ditch the ones that have been sitting in your cupboard for years.
CRUSH CARDAMOM PODS FOR MORE FLAVOR. Use the flat edge of a knife to crush cardamom pods to help release more flavor into your ouzi.
USE BROWN OR WILD RICE. Not only is it healthier, but brown and wild rice adds this amazing smoky flavor to ouzi rice.
DON'T SKIP THE TOASTED PINE NUTS!! Most Arabic meals are topped with toasted pine nuts or almonds. Don't skip out on these as they add this amazing flavor & crunch.
HOW TO MAKE MY JORDANIAN OUZI RICE AND CHICKEN RECIPE
If you want the most flavorful Arabic roasted chicken, make the marinade the night before!
FOR THE MIDDLE EASTERN ROASTED CHICKEN MARINADE
Clean your chicken. Place the clean chicken pieces into a large bowl.
Next, in a blender add all the ingredients for your..
Arabic Ouzi Chicken Marinade:
- 1 large yellow onion (chopped)
- 5 cloves fresh garlic
- 1 tablespoon red pepper paste
- 2 teaspoons Arabic 7 spices
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon adobo powder
- 1 teaspoon fresh black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon)
- 1 tablespoon pink sea salt.
Pour the ouzi marinade over the chicken. Toss so that all the chicken is evenly coated in the marinade.
Cover the bowl and place the chicken in the fridge to marinate overnight. You can let it marinate for up to two days in the fridge before cooking it.
HOW TO MAKE THE ARABIC MARINATED OUZI CHICKEN IN THE DUTCH OVEN
The next day, get your ouzi chicken started in the oven a couple of hours before you make the ouzi rice. Since ouzi rice doesn't take very long to cook, you don't need to start it until the chicken is almost done cooking.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place chicken inside a dutch oven. Bake it uncovered for 20 minutes.
Put the dutch oven lid on and lower the heat to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for an additional 2 ½ hours.
Flip the chicken pieces once after 1 ½ hours of cooking so that the other side of the chicken are submerged in the marinade.
Broil for 2-3 minutes at the very end for a crispy chicken top.
HOW TO MAKE THE OUZI RICE
Step 1- salt the beef
First, sprinkle 1 pound of ground beef (or ground lamb) generously with salt and fresh black pepper. Massage it in. Set the beef aside for about 15-30 minutes.
Step 2- saute onion & heat the broth
Next, heat 1 tablespoon of ghee over medium heat. Add 1 large diced yellow onion. Cook the onion until it is soft and translucent.
Heat the 3 cups of beef (or chicken broth) in a small saucepan with a tight fitting lid over medium low heat while you prepare the ouzi rice.
**recipe note: if you are using wild rice, use only 2 ½ cups of broth instead of 3 because wild rice soaks up less water.**
Step 3- brown the beef with spices
Once the onion is translucent and soft, add the ground beef along with the
ouzi rice spices:
- 1 dried lime
- 2 whole bay leaves
- 5 cardamom pods (crushed)
- 1 whole cinnamon stick
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon Arabic 7 spices
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon pink sea salt.
Cook the beef over medium heat, breaking it apart as it browns so the beef pieces are very small.
Step 4- add the rice and vegetables
Once the beef is brown, add the 2 cups washed brown rice and 1 ½ cups frozen (not thawed) mixed vegetables.
Cook for about 2-3 minutes, just to get the rice coated in the spice.
Step 5- add the broth and cook
Pour the hot broth into your pan. Turn up the heat to high and bring it to a boil.
Once it is boiling, cover the pan with a lid, turn the heat down to low and cook until the rice has absorbed all the liquid. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes, a little longer for wild rice.
HOW TO SERVE JORDANIAN OUZI RICE WITH CHICKEN
Once your ouzi rice is done, pour it all out onto a big serving platter. Arabic meals are best served off a big platter in the middle of the table where everyone can reach for seconds!
Serve warm ouzi rice topped with roasted chicken and toasted pine nuts. I also like to serve mine with labne on the side to dip the chicken in.
If you want more vegetables, you can make an Arabic chopped salad to serve on the side.
More Authentic Arabic & Middle Eastern Recipes with Meat You're Going to Love!
- Ouzi Lamb
- Mansaf
- Galayet Bandora
- Jordanian Maqluba
- Palestinian Musakhan
- Chicken Kabsa
- Shorbat Adas
- Arabic Chopped Salad
- Dwali (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
- Sfiha
- Fasolia with Lebanese Rice
- Saniya Jaj
- Persian Pomegranate Chicken
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions about Jordanian ouzi rice with roasted chicken.
What can I use to cook the chicken instead of a Dutch oven?
If you don't have a Dutch oven, any oven safe pan with a tight fitting lid will work. You can even cover a pan with a piece of parchment paper and a plate. Just make sure the pan is not open to the air or it will dry out, the lid creates steam for juicy chicken.
Can I use chicken pieces instead of a whole chicken?
Yes! We use 1 whole chicken, cut into 4 pieces. You can use 2 chicken legs, 2 thighs, and 2 chicken breasts instead.
Where do I get Arabic spices?
You can get Arabic spices at your local Arabic/ Middle Eastern/ Halal market. If you don't have a local market, they can be found online.
Is brown rice healthier than white rice?
Yes! Brown rice contains the whole grain, which gives you more fiber, more protein, and much more nutrients. White rice is basically just the starch and has no nutritional value.
Looking to make some Arabic dessert? Try my Arabic Walnut Baklava!
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Jordanian Ouzi Rice with Chicken Recipe (أوزي الدجاج الأردني)
Equipment
- cutting board
- bowl with lid
Ingredients
For the Middle Eastern Roasted Chicken Marinade:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into 4 pieces
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 5 cloves fresh garlic
- 1 tablespoon red pepper paste sub tomato paste
- 2 teaspoon Arabic 7 spices
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon adobo powder
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar sub white vinegar
- 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice about the juice of 1 whole lemon
- 1 tablespoon pink sea salt
For the Ouzi rice:
- 1 pound ground beef seasoned with salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 cups broth, heated
- 1 whole dried lime
- 2 whole bay leaves
- 5 whole cardamom pods, crushed
- 1 whole cinnamon stick
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon Arabic 7 spices
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon pink sea salt
- 2 cups brown rice sub wild rice ** see notes
- 1 ½ cups frozen mixed vegetables mix of carrot, green bean, green peas, and corn
Ouzi toppings
- ½ cup pine nuts toasted in ½ tablespoon of oil or ghee
Instructions
For the Arabic Chicken Marinade:
- **Do this the night before you make ouzi. Clean your chicken very well. Place the clean chicken pieces into a large bowl.1 whole chicken, cut into 4 pieces
- Next, in a blender add all the ingredients for your Arabic Chicken Marinade.Blend till it is completely smooth.1 large yellow onion, chopped, 5 cloves fresh garlic, 1 tablespoon red pepper paste, 2 teaspoon Arabic 7 spices, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1 teaspoon adobo powder, 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper, ½ teaspoon ground turmeric, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon cajun seasoning, 1 teaspoon curry powder, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon pink sea salt
- Pour the marinade over the chicken. Toss so that all the chicken is evenly coated in the marinade.
- Cover the bowl and place the chicken in the fridge to marinate overnight.
How to cook the Arabic Marinated Chicken
- The next day, get your chicken started in the oven a couple of hours before you make the ouzi rice. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place chicken inside a dutch oven. Bake it uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Put the Dutch oven lid on and lower the heat to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for an additional 2 ½ hours.
- Flip the chicken pieces once after 1 ½ hours of cooking so that the other side of the chicken are submerged in the marinade.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes at the very end if you want a crispy chicken top.
How to cook the Jordanian Ouzi Rice
- Sprinkle the ground beef (or ground lamb) generously with salt and fresh black pepper. Massage it in. Set the beef aside for about 15-30 minutes.1 pound ground beef
- Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee over medium heat. Add 1 large diced yellow onion. Cook the onion until it is soft and translucent.1 tablespoon ghee, 1 large yellow onion, diced
- Heat the beef (or chicken broth) in a small saucepan with a tight fitting lid over medium low heat.3 cups broth, heated
- Once the onion is translucent and soft, add the ground beef along with the ouzi rice spices.1 whole dried lime, 2 whole bay leaves, 5 whole cardamom pods, crushed, 1 whole cinnamon stick, 2 whole cloves, 1 teaspoon Arabic 7 spices, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon pink sea salt
- Brown the beef over medium heat, breaking it apart as it browns so the beef pieces are very small.
- Once the beef is brown, add the 2 cups washed brown rice and 1 ½ cups frozen (not thawed) mixed vegetables. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, just to get the rice coated in the spice.2 cups brown rice, 1 ½ cups frozen mixed vegetables
- Pour the 3 cups of hot broth into your pan. Turn up the heat to high and bring it to a boil.
- Once it is boiling, cover the pan with a lid, turn the heat down to low and cook until the rice has absorbed all the liquid. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes, a little longer for wild rice.
How to serve Ouzi Rice with Chicken
- Once your ouzi rice is done, pour it all out onto a big serving platter. Serve warm ouzi rice topped with roasted chicken and toasted pine nuts.½ cup pine nuts
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Lily
This looks just like the ouzi I remember from growing up!! I can’t wait to make this recipe thank you so much
Evelyn
I had this once years ago when we were in Amman and I have been looking for a good recipe ever since! I'm soo happy to have found your blog that has easy to follow Arabic recipes in English how unique! Following your blog now and can't wait to see the next one!
Anonymous
Quzi**
Ogremama
Great recipe! I like to add raisins or dried apricots to it. Other than that, I've made it 3 times as written.
Rosemary
love dried raisins and apricots on top!