Ingredients

  • Saffron 1 tsp
  • SpinneysFOOD Bottled Drinking Water 765ml
  • Long-grain basmati rice 390g
  • SpinneysFOOD Fine Cumin 2 tbsp
  • SpinneysFOOD Fine Turmeric 1 tbsp
  • SpinneysFOOD Fine White Pepper 1 tbsp
  • SpinneysFOOD Fine Coriander 2 tsp
  • Finely ground cloves 2 tsp
  • Finely ground cardamom 2 tsp
  • SpinneysFOOD Extra Virgin Olive Oil 4 tbsp
  • Lemon
  • SpinneysFOOD Fine Sea Salt 1¾ tsp
  • Whole chicken 900g
  • Onion 1
  • Whole cloves 6
  • SpinneysFOOD Cardamom Pods 4
  • Cinnamon stick 1
  • Bay leaves 2
  • Raisins 2 tbsp
  • Green chillies 5
  • Tomatoes 4
  • Garlic clove 1
  • SpinneysFOOD Fresh Coriander 1 tsp
  • SpinneysFOOD Fresh Mint 1 tsp
  • SpinneysFOOD Fresh Parsley 1 tsp
  • Flaked almonds 100g

Given the cook-at-home nature of Spinneys and natural variations in ingredients, nutritional information is approximated."

Smoky BBQ chicken mandi with chopped tomato salad

Arabic 30 Mins Prep · 80 Mins Cook


  1. Steep 2-3 pinches of saffron in 4 tbsp of hot water overnight, or for at least 2 hours.
  2. Soak the rice in water for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Prepare the hawaij spice mix by placing the fine cumin, turmeric, white pepper, fine coriander, ground cloves (or allspice) and ground cardamon in a bowl and mixing it thoroughly. Store in an airtight jar.
  4. To make the marinade, combine the 2 tbsp of oil, lemon zest and juice of one lemon, 2 tbsp of the hawaij spice and ½ tsp of salt. Rub the mix all over the chicken and refrigerate overnight or at least for an hour.
  5. To make the rice, add the remaining 2 tbsp of oil to a large saucepan and sauté the onion until translucent. Drain the rice and add it to the onion along with the cloves, cardamom pods, peppercorns, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, raisins, 2-3 chillies, 750ml of water and 1 tsp of salt to taste. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed. Turn off the heat and allow to stand.
  6. Remove the chicken from the fridge and bring to room temperature.
  7. Prepare a barbecue. When the coals are medium hot, place the chicken, skin-side down on the grid and cook for 35-40 minutes, turning every 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover with foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
  8. In the meantime prepare the chopped zhoug salad. Roughly chop the tomatoes and grate the garlic. Deseed and finely slice 1-2 chillies. Toast the cumin seeds. Juice half a lemon. Finely chop the fresh coriander, mint and parsley together. Combine all the salad ingredients and season well.
  9. Fluff the rice with a fork and pile onto a platter.
  10. Place the grilled chicken on top, pouring any juices over the rice.
  11. Toast the almonds and scatter over the chicken.
  12. Serve with the chopped zhoug salad and yoghurt on the side.