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Meat, Maghreb and Middle East

Chicken freekeh

Chicken freekeh is a Middle Eastern and North African dish made with smoky green wheat simmered in a chicken broth spiced with cinnamon, cumin, and allspice. For 4 people, it takes 65 minutes and is easy to make, at about €3.20 per serving. The key to success is a well seasoned broth that the freekeh fully absorbs, finished with toasted almonds for crunch.

Tonight, freekeh, that smoky green wheat, simmered in a spiced chicken broth, with roasted chicken and toasted almonds, a warm, smoky dish.

Chicken freekeh
Total time
1 h 05
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.20
Calories per person
480 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter

Freekeh is green wheat harvested young and then smoked, which gives it a toasted flavor and a chewy bite that regular bulgur doesn't have. Here it cooks directly in the chicken broth, loaded with cinnamon, cumin, and allspice, and slowly absorbs all that flavor as it swells. The result is a warm, smoky dish, a nice change from the usual rice or pasta on a weeknight.

This is a good fall or winter dinner, warming without feeling heavy. Plan for about an hour, especially if you let the chicken simmer gently while you take care of something else. The toasted almonds at the end add crunch and a bit of indulgence, the kind of detail that works well for guests who haven't tried freekeh before.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Chicken thighs 6

Pantry

  • Freekeh or cracked bulguroften in the pantry 300 g
  • Whole almonds 60 g
  • Cinnamonoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Ground cuminoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Allspiceoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 2
  • Garlic 2 cloves

Dairy

  • Butter 30 g

Allergens Gluten, Tree nuts

The step by step recipe

  1. Brown the chicken thighs in the oil, add the chopped onion and garlic and the spices, then cover with 80 cl of water. 15 min

    The spices need to heat in the fat before the water goes in.

  2. Let simmer covered until the chicken is tender. 30 min

    Skim off the foam for a clear broth.

  3. Remove the chicken, add the rinsed freekeh to the broth, and cook over low heat. 20 min

    Freekeh has a chewy bite, don't try to cook it until fully soft.

  4. Toast the almonds in the butter. 3 min

    Stir them often for an even color.

  5. Plate the freekeh, place the chicken on top, sprinkle with almonds and serve.

    Put the chicken back under the broiler for 5 minutes if you like crispy skin.

Our tips to get it right

  • Always keep the chicken cooking broth to cook the freekeh in, it carries all the spice flavor and keeps the grain from tasting bland.
  • If the broth reduces too fast while the freekeh cooks, add a little hot water rather than cold so you don't interrupt the cooking.
  • Debone the chicken thighs after cooking if you want an easier dish to serve the family, the meat comes off easily on its own.

The variations

  • Swap the freekeh for regular cracked bulgur if you can't find it, the cooking time and quantities stay the same.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the chicken, use a well spiced vegetable broth, and add cooked chickpeas for protein.
  • To save time, use a store bought rotisserie chicken that you shred, and make the broth with store bought chicken stock.

What to serve it with

  • Plain yogurt to cool the spices
  • Cucumber mint salad
  • Warm flatbread

Storage

Chicken freekeh keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well without the almonds, which are best added fresh when serving. Reheat in a pot with a splash of water or broth so the freekeh doesn't dry out.

Questions about this dish

Can you use a different grain instead of freekeh?

Yes, regular cracked bulgur works very well and has a similar texture. Brown rice also works but loses the smoky character that freekeh has.

Do you really need to rinse the freekeh before cooking?

Yes, rinsing removes the toasting dust left on the grains. It also helps the freekeh absorb the broth better during cooking.

Can you make this dish ahead of time?

You can cook the chicken and broth the day before, then cook the freekeh fresh right before serving. Toast the almonds at the last minute so they stay crunchy.

Is this dish good for kids?

The spices stay mild so it can work, but the chewy texture and smoky flavor of freekeh sometimes surprise younger kids. You can cut back on the spices if you're serving kids who aren't used to them.

How long does it take to make a chicken freekeh?

Count 1 h 05 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a chicken freekeh?

About 480 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a chicken freekeh cost?

About €3.20 per serving, or €12.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, tree nuts. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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