Lebanese Chicken and Rice (Djaj Bi Riz)

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs Chicken thighs
• 2 cups Long-grain rice
• 4 cups Chicken broth
• 1 medium Onion
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 each Cinnamon stick
• 1/2 tsp Allspice
• 1 each Bay leaf
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

1. 1Rinse the 2 cups of long-grain rice under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear, then set aside to drain.
2. 2Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C). Add the 1 medium onion, cut into small pieces, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. 3Add the 4 cloves of garlic, minced, to the pot and cook for 1 minute more, until you can smell its fragrance.
4. 4Add the 1.5 lbs of chicken thighs to the pot and cook, turning them with tongs, until they are browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes total.
5. 5Pour in the 4 cups of chicken broth. Add the 1 cinnamon stick, 1/2 teaspoon of allspice, 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir everything together.
6. 6Bring the liquid in the pot to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot tightly and let it simmer gently for 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
7. 7Carefully remove the 1.5 lbs of chicken thighs from the pot and place them on a clean cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then set the shredded chicken aside.
8. 8Add the drained 2 cups of long-grain rice to the pot containing the flavorful broth. Bring the liquid back to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed. Do not lift the lid during this time.
9. 9Once the rice is cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Remove and discard the cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Fluff the 2 cups of cooked rice gently with a fork. Stir in the shredded chicken. Serve hot.

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