Degchi
A Levantine layered rice dish that is a regular guest dish in Gulf homes: fried eggplant, cauliflower and chicken are layered with rice in a pot, cooked, then the whole pot is flipped onto a platter in one dramatic motion — 'maqluba' means 'upside down'. Served with yoghurt and a simple salad.
Quick answer: 75 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Eggplant, Cauliflower · amounts in metric and US
Ingredients
- 800 g 1.75 lb Chicken
- 350 g 1.75 cup Rice
- 2 pc 2 pc Eggplant, sliced and fried
- 0.5 pc 0.5 pc Cauliflower, cut into florets and fried
- 1 pc 1 pc Onion
- 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Mixed Arabic spice blend
- 0.5 tsp 0.5 tsp Turmeric
- 4 tbsp 4 tbsp Cooking oil
- to taste to taste Salt
- 200 g 1 cup Yogurt, to serve (Optional)
Steps
Timers run only while this tab is open. The Degchi app keeps them running on a locked phone.
- Wash the rice and soak it in water for 20 minutes.⏱ Soaking rice · 20 min
- Boil the chicken pieces with onion, salt and the spices in 1 litre water until just cooked.⏱ Boiling chicken · 20 min
- Lift out the meat and set aside. Measure the broth and top up with water to 700 ml.
- Slice the eggplant and break the cauliflower into florets. Fry them in the oil until golden but not soft all the way through, since they finish cooking with the rice. Drain on paper.⏱ Frying vegetables · 10 min
- In a heavy pot, layer the fried eggplant and cauliflower on the base, then the chicken, then the drained rice on top.
- Pour in the broth so it sits just above the rice (about 700 ml). Bring to a boil, then cover and cook on low without stirring until the rice is done.⏱ Cooking the pot · 25 min
- Rest the pot off the heat, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes. Place a large platter on top and flip it in one firm motion, then leave the pot upside down for a few minutes before lifting it.⏱ Resting before flipping · 15 min
- Lift the pot away carefully, garnish with toasted nuts and serve hot with yoghurt on the side.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Maqluba take to make?
Maqluba takes about 75 minutes in total. That is about 25 minutes of prep and 50 minutes of cooking.
How many people does this Maqluba recipe serve?
This version serves 4. The Degchi app has a servings scaler if you need more or fewer portions.
What ingredients do I need for Maqluba?
You need Chicken, Rice, Eggplant, Cauliflower, Onion, Mixed Arabic spice blend, Turmeric, Cooking oil, Salt. Optional: Yogurt.
Is Maqluba difficult?
Degchi rates it Medium, with 8 steps in the method; steps that need timing have a built-in timer in cook mode.
Is Maqluba halal, vegetarian or eggless?
It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is not vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.
What will I probably need to buy for Maqluba?
Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: mixed Arabic spice blend, turmeric, cooking oil, salt. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: chicken, eggplant, cauliflower, onion. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: rice.
Any tips for making Maqluba?
The broth should sit just above the rice, which works out near 1 cup of rice (about 190 g) to 2 cups of liquid here, because the vegetables and chicken take up room. If it falls short, top up with water. For a clean flip, line the pot base with a layer of fried vegetables, rest the pot 10 to 15 minutes, and tap the base gently before lifting.
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The flip is the only scary part of maqluba. Here is the full cook as a timeline, built around the 10 to 15 minute rest that decides whether the dome holds.
