Djaj Bil-Bahar Il-Asfar (Iraqi Yellow Spice-Rubbed Chicken) Recipe

serves 2-4

Ingredients

2 tsp. coriander seeds
2 tsp. cumin seeds
2 tsp. whole black peppercorns
6 cardamom pods
4 dried chiles de árbol, stemmed
4 allspice berries
4 whole cloves
4 dried rose hips
1 tbsp. curry powder
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
1 tbsp. ground sumac
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 1⁄2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1 tsp. ground fenugreek
8 cloves garlic, mashed into a paste
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 chicken halves (about 3 lb.)
Flatbread, such as naan, for serving


Instructions

1. Heat coriander, cumin, peppercorns, cardamom, chiles, allspice, and cloves in a 10″ skillet over medium heat until seeds pop, 1-2 minutes; let cool. Transfer to a spice grinder with rose hips; grind and transfer to a bowl. Stir in curry, cinnamon, sumac, ginger, nutmeg, fenugreek, garlic, salt, and pepper; add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
2. Heat a charcoal grill or set a gas grill to high; bank coals or turn burner off on one side. Grill chicken on hottest part of grill, flipping once, until slightly charred and cooked through, about 45 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh reads 165°. If outside starts to burn before chicken is cooked, move to cooler side of grill until done. Rest chicken 10 minutes; serve with flatbread.

Source: Saveur June/July 2013

Share this post