Immerse yourself in the rich flavors of Molokhia with Chicken, a classic Egyptian dish revered for its unique texture and deep, herbal flavors. This comforting stew combines tender chicken with molokhia leaves, known for their distinctive, slightly viscous quality, and is often seasoned with garlic and coriander for an aromatic feast.
Preparation and Cooking Times
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings and Serving Size
- Servings: 6
- Serving Size: 1 bowl per person
Nutritional Profile (per serving)
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Protein: 25 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fiber: 3 g
Ingredients
- Chicken pieces (thighs and breasts): 1.2 kg (2.6 lbs)
- Frozen or fresh molokhia leaves: 400 g (14 oz)
- Chicken broth: 1 liter (34 oz)
- Garlic cloves, minced: 4
- Ground coriander: 2 tsp
- Butter or ghee: 2 tbsp (30 ml or 1 oz)
- Lemon juice: 2 tbsp (30 ml or 1 oz)
- Salt and pepper: To taste
Method of Preparation
- Cook the Chicken: In a large pot, boil chicken pieces with salt and pepper until fully cooked. Remove chicken, reserve broth.
- Prepare Molokhia: In another pot, bring the chicken broth to a simmer. Add molokhia leaves and cook until they soften and the broth thickens slightly.
- Make Garlic-Coriander Mixture: In a pan, heat butter or ghee. Sauté garlic and coriander until fragrant. Add this mixture to the molokhia pot.
- Combine: Add cooked chicken pieces to the molokhia. Simmer for a few more minutes.
- Serve: Add lemon juice, adjust seasonings, and serve hot with rice or bread.
Tips for Culinary Success
- Molokhia Texture: Be careful not to overcook molokhia, as it can become too slimy.
- Garlic-Coriander Mix: This "tadka" adds a burst of flavor, so don’t skip it.
- Serving Suggestion: Traditionally served with Egyptian or plain rice, and bread.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use dried molokhia?
Yes, but soak it in water before use.
What if I don’t have ghee?
You can use regular unsalted butter.
Can I add other spices?
Yes, cumin and bay leaves are also commonly used.