Maqluba (Middle Eastern Upside-Down Rice)

Maqluba is a traditional Middle Eastern dish that consists of rice, vegetables, and meat cooked in a flavorful broth, then flipped over to serve. The name “maqluba” literally means “upside-down” in Arabic.

Ingredients

Vegetables

1 cup carrots, peeled and chopped
1 cup potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 cup green beans, trimmed
2 cups onions, chopped
2 cups tomatoes, diced

Meat

1 pound chicken breast or thighs, cut into small pieces

Rice

2 cups long-grain rice

Broth

4 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika

Maqluba Sauce (optional)

Mix the following:

2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Recipe Steps

1. Prepare the Broth

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots, potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, chicken broth, cumin (if using), and paprika (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes.

2. Cook the Rice

Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside. In a separate saucepan, combine 4 cups of water with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes.

3. Assemble the Maqluba

Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and add it to the prepared broth saucepan. Add the chopped chicken and stir gently.

4. Cook the Chicken

Cook the chicken in the broth saucepan until it is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.

5. Serve the Maqluba

Turn the maqluba over onto a large platter or individual plates, if serving one-on-one. Drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle with chopped parsley (if using).

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Generated time: 2026-03-10 06:10:30