Discover the Authentic Recipe for Saleeg, the Traditional Saudi Arabian Dish

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Saleeg: A creamy rice dish cooked with milk, broth, and chicken. The dish originates in the Hejaz region, located in the west of Saudi Arabia, and it is typically considered the national dish of the region. It represents the significance of dairy products—like milk—in Saudi Arabian cooking. Despite the dish originating in Saudi Arabia, throughout the past years it has gained popularity in the Arab world.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of short-grain rice

• 2 cups of chicken broth

• 1 cup of milk

• 250g chicken

• 2 tablespoons of ghee

• 1 teaspoon salt

Optional:

• Hot sauce of choice

• Cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Start by giving the rice a good rinse in cold water until the water runs clear. This ensures a fluffier texture in the finished meal by helping to eliminate extra starch from the rice.

2. Place the chicken pieces and chicken broth into a large pot. Put the mixture on medium-high and bring it to a boil. After the chicken comes to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and let it cook through. The chicken adds its flavours to the broth during this simmering procedure.

3. Carefully take the cooked chicken out of the pot and place it onto a cutting surface. Once the chicken has been set for a while to cool, slice it into bite-sized pieces. Store the chicken shreds for another time.

4. Add the rice that has been rinsed to the pot with the savoury chicken broth. Leave the rice in the broth for a while to cook further and reach a tender state. This stage enables the rich flavours of the broth to seep into the rice.

5. Combine the milk, ghee, and salt in the same pot. Make sure all of the ingredients are fully incorporated by giving the mixture a good stir. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the mixture until it becomes creamy in consistency. The flavour profile adds a rich and toasty touch with its richness.

6. Transfer the chicken pieces to the pot along with the creamy rice blend. Make sure the chicken is evenly distributed throughout the dish by stirring all of the components together. The flavours of the creamy rice base and the chicken are combined in this phase.

• For the final touch, try this tip: Serve Saleeg with a light dusting of cinnamon to bring out the flavour of the dish, or even serve the dish with a side of hot sauce, for those who like a little heat.

Thank you!