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Greatest plates · Main
Maqluba (Upside-Down Chicken, Eggplant & Cauliflower Rice)
A Lebanese showstopper: chicken and spiced rice layered with fried eggplant and cauliflower, then flipped out of the pot into an impressive golden dome. The name means 'upside-down', and the flip is half the fun. Built on generous bone-in chicken thighs, it gives a hearty 38 g of protein per serve while staying a proper one-pot dinner.
Serves 4Prep 30 minCook 75 minChicken
Containsdairy · nuts
Protein 20%Carbs 45%Fat 35%
About 861 kcal a serve — 44 g protein, 97 g carbs, 33 g fat. Each segment is that macro's share of the calories, within about 10%.
Ingredients
Serves 4
Method
Poach the chicken
brothPut the chicken thighs in a large pot with the halved onion, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, crushed cardamom and the salt. Cover with about 1.2 litres cold water, bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 25 minutes until just cooked. Lift out the chicken and set aside; strain and keep the broth.
In the potChicken & broth →
Simmer 25 min
Fry the vegetables
vegHeat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the eggplant rounds until golden on both sides, then drain on paper towel. Fry the cauliflower florets in the same pan until browned in patches. Season lightly with salt.
In the panFried veg →
Medium-high
Season the rice
riceRinse the basmati rice until the water runs clear, then stir through the allspice, cinnamon, cumin, turmeric and black pepper.
In the bowlSpiced rice →
Rinse & mix
Layer the pot
layerIn the same large pot, arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer on the base. Cover with the fried eggplant and cauliflower, then spread the spiced rice evenly on top. Do not stir.
In the potAssembly →
Layer, don't stir
Cook the maqluba
cookMeasure 700 ml of the reserved broth (top up with water if needed) and pour gently over the rice. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce to low and cook for 30 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid absorbed. Rest, covered, off the heat for 10 minutes.
Flip and serve
servePlace a large serving platter over the pot and, holding both firmly, invert in one confident movement. Lift the pot away to reveal the dome. Scatter with toasted almonds and parsley, and serve with yoghurt.
On the platterThe flip →
Invert & garnish
Cook's noteThe confident, single-motion flip is key — don't hesitate. If some rice sticks, just lift it out and patch the dome; it will still taste superb.
Estimated per serve
861 kcal · 44 g protein · 97 g carbs · 33 g fatestimates, within ~10%
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