National Dish Saudi Arabia: Chicken Harees (Recipe)
In this article
Discover Chicken Harees, one of Saudi Arabia’s most cherished festive dishes! This soothing bowl brings together tender chicken and a smooth, slow-cooked wheat porridge, gently spiced until every spoonful feels warming and wholesome. Popular at celebrations and especially during Ramadan, it is the kind of nourishing comfort food that has been passed down through generations. Bring the aromas of the Arabian Peninsula to your own kitchen with this simple yet deeply satisfying recipe.
About Chicken Harees
Chicken Harees is a traditional dish of Saudi cuisine, prepared for many festive occasions across the region. It is built around tender chicken and a creamy wheat porridge that is left to simmer slowly until it reaches its ideal, velvety consistency. The combination of these ingredients delivers not only a rich, rounded flavour but also a warming and nourishing meal. The use of aromatic spices underlines the culinary heritage and diversity of the wider Arabian kitchen, making harees a true celebration of the table.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 1 cup wheat (semolina or cracked wheat)
- 200 g chicken breast
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 4 cups chicken stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Shopping for the ingredients
When shopping for Chicken Harees, it pays to pay attention to the quality of each individual component. Fresh vegetables and good-quality chicken make a real difference to the flavour of the finished dish. The spices — particularly cumin and turmeric — are essential to that authentic taste, so choose the best quality you can find. It is also well worth visiting a local market to pick up fresh, regional produce for the pot.
Preparing the dish
Preparing Chicken Harees can take a little time, but it is always worth the effort. Start by cutting the chicken into small pieces and finely dicing the onion. These are then sautéed in a pot with a little olive oil to build up and intensify the flavour. Make sure the chicken is evenly browned before you add the wheat, as this helps you achieve the best possible texture in the final porridge.
Step-by-step instructions
- Cut the chicken breast into small pieces.
- Sauté the onions in a pot with olive oil until golden brown.
- Add the chicken pieces and fry until browned all over.
- Stir in the wheat and mix well.
- Slowly pour in the chicken stock, stirring as you go.
- Season with cumin, turmeric, salt and pepper.
- Let the dish simmer over low heat for about 30–40 minutes, until the wheat is soft.
- Beat vigorously with a hand blender or a fork to reach a creamy consistency.
- Rest for a few minutes before serving and garnish to taste.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
For a gluten-free version of Chicken Harees, you can use gluten-free grains such as quinoa in place of the wheat. Be sure to check that your chicken stock is gluten-free as well. As the recipe contains no dairy to begin with, it is already naturally lactose-free — simply avoid adding any milk-based ingredients. The dish stays every bit as creamy and flavourful without them.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
A vegan or vegetarian take on Chicken Harees is easy to put together by swapping the chicken for familiar plant-based alternatives. Chickpeas or lentils, for example, are rich in protein and hold the texture of the dish beautifully. Use vegetable stock in place of the chicken stock, and lift the flavour with a little extra spice and fresh herbs to make the meatless version just as satisfying.
More tips and tricks
To refine the dish, a few well-chosen additions can make all the difference. Roasted nuts or dried fruit such as apricots or raisins are an excellent finishing touch, lending the Chicken Harees a gentle sweetness. Dose the spices gradually to hit exactly the right balance of flavour. Feel free to experiment with different herbs from the garden or market for an extra layer of aroma.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
One of the best things about Chicken Harees is how adaptable the recipe is. You can shape it to your own taste by adding different vegetables or adjusting the spices to your liking. Stirring in peppers or carrots boosts the nutritional variety, while the choice of oil can be varied too — swapping olive oil for coconut oil, for instance, gives a subtly different character.
Ingredient substitutions
If some ingredients are hard to find, there are tried-and-tested alternatives. The wheat can be replaced with other grains that give a similar effect, such as spelt or maize semolina — much like the cracked-wheat base of the closely related Jareesh. The chicken stock can likewise be swapped for vegetable stock to make the dish vegan-friendly. Take a look around your local market, where you will often find fresh, seasonal ingredients that work wonderfully in this recipe.
Drink pairing ideas
Refreshing drinks are the perfect partner for a hearty dish like Chicken Harees. A mint lemonade or a splash of pomegranate juice topped up with sparkling water complements the flavours beautifully. A traditional Arabic coffee also offers an interesting contrast to any sweet notes in the dish. Serve your drinks lightly chilled or freshly prepared for the very best taste experience.
Serving and presentation ideas
Presentation plays a big part in enjoying Chicken Harees. A decorative plate or a handsome bowl really lets the dish shine. Garnish with fresh herbs such as coriander or parsley to add colour and freshness, and serve it alongside crisp flatbread to round out the experience and give your meal that little something extra. A vibrant Fattoush salad on the side makes a lovely, fresh accompaniment.
A bit of history
The origins of Chicken Harees run deep into the culture of the Arabian Peninsula. This dish is thought to have been prepared for centuries, handed down from one generation to the next. It appears especially often on tables during Ramadan, being nourishing and gentle on the stomach when breaking the fast. In many families it is a tradition to serve harees at large gatherings and religious festivities as a way of strengthening the sense of community — a hallmark of Saudi Arabian cuisine.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Chicken Harees
In short, Chicken Harees is a simple yet wonderfully flavourful dish that celebrates the tradition of Saudi cuisine. With its rich blend of chicken and wheat porridge, it offers an excellent option that is as tasty as it is nourishing. Whether for festive occasions or a comforting everyday meal, this dish is sure to bring plenty of aroma and joy to the table. Give it a try and let yourself be charmed!
