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Egyptian Chicken Molokhia

Saif Al Deen Odeh
Chicken Molokhia is an Egyptian green stew made by simmering chicken with molokhia leaves, garlic, herbs, and spices, and it is traditionally served with Arabic white rice or pita bread.
5 from 10 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Arabic, Egyptian
Servings 4
Calories 329 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 Cups Water
  • 8 Pieces Chicken Leg and Thigh
  • 1 Cup Dried Molokhia Leaves / Jute Leaves / Saluyot
  • 8 Cloves Garlic, grated
  • 4 Pieces Cardamom
  • 4 Pieces Bay Leaves
  • ¼ Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 Piece Chicken Bouillon Cube
  • 1-2 Teaspoons Salt
  • ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions
 

Using Dry Molokhia Leaves or Powder

  • Pour water, and add chicken, cardamom, and bay leaves to the cooking pot. 
  • Once it started to boil, lower the heat and let it simmer for 25 minutes. Add the chicken bouillon cube.
  • Add olive oil in a separate pan. Once hot, add the dried molokhia leaves and stir for 1-2 minutes. Set it aside
  • Transfer the sauteed dried molokhia leaves into the pot. Continue simmering until the chicken is soft and cooked.
  • Using the same pan, add olive oil again, followed by grated garlic. Stir till it turns light brown.
  • Transfer the sauteed garlic to the cooking pot. Stir gently and let it simmer for a few minutes to help absorb its flavor. 
  • Add salt, black pepper, and lemon juice for taste. Give a gentle stir to combine before turning off the heat.
  • Serve it with any Middle Eastern white rice / vermicelli rice or arabic salad

Using Fresh Molokhia Leaves

  • Step 1 and Step 2 are the same when boiling the chicken and adding the cardamom & bay leaves
  • Chopped the fresh molokhia leaves into pieces and transfer them into the blender. Pour 1-2 cups of the broth of the boiled chicken on it. Turn it on till it turns a thick & watery-like consistency
  • Transfer the molokhia-broth mixture into the cooking pot. Continue simmering till the chicken is cooked and soft
  • While the chicken is simmering, add olive oil in a separate pan. Once hot, add chopped or grated garlic. Stir till turns light brown
  • Transfer the sauteed garlic, and add lemon juice to the pot. Stir gently and let it simmer for a few minutes to help absorb the flavor. Add salt and black pepper for taste. 
  • Serve it with rice or pita bread, and salad as you desired.

Notes

  • If you don't like your soup slimy, use dry molokhia leaves
  • Dry molokhia leaves has more intense flavor and smell compared to the fresh leave.
  • Before boiling the chicken, make sure you clean it with lemon and salt to remove the odor.
  • For pictures of the step by step cooking instruction, please refer to the post. 

Nutrition

Calories: 329kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 36gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 59mgFiber: 8gSugar: 3gCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Chicken Molokhia, Molokhia
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