Halebibi – Persian Rice Pilaf

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Halebibi is one of my childhood Shabbat dishes. I remember eating Halebibi at my Iranian grandparents’ house, when we visited them on Shabbat. Unlike other Jewish ethnic groups, Iranian Jews in Israel have a wide repertoire of Shabbat dishes, so we never knew what we would get to eat at my grandparents’ house. Not that it really mattered, because we loved it all. Halebibi, however, was one of the kids favorite Shabbat dishes, because in comparison to the rich flavored and sophisticated Persian dishes, Halebibi was simple and comforting.

The recipe below is very similar to the one my Naneh (grandmother in Persian) used to make, only it has some more complex flavor that is added by the coriander seeds and the sour grape juice (found in Middle Eastern stores).

Notes and Tips:

  • This pilaf is not spicy but it has some vibrant flavors from the coriander and the grape juice. If you prefer milder flavors, you may omit the coriander and use water instead of the sour grape juice. 

Halebibi – Persian Rice Pilaf

Servings 6
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours

Ingredients

  • 2 cups rice
  • 8 (1 ½ lb) chicken drumsticks or thighs
  • 1 ½ cups sour grape juice (found in Middle Eastern stores)
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 tbsp chicken soup powder
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tsps turmeric
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsps salt
  • ¼ cup oil
  • 1 tsp whole coriander seeds
  • 2 onions, sliced

Instructions

  • Place the rice in a bowl and cover it with hot water. Stir the rice well and discard of the water. Repeat the process two more times. Transfer the rice to a strainer, and rinse under running water. Set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine 2 ½ cups water with the soup powder. Add the chicken and bring to a boil. Add the tomato paste, turmeric, salt and pepper. Lower the heat and cook for about 30 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
  • Add to the pot 1 ½ cups of sour grape juice (or water) and the rice, and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until all liquids are absorbed in the rice, about 30 minutes.
  • In a large sauté pot, heat the oil and sauté the coriander seeds for 2 minutes. Add the onion and sauté for 3 more minutes. Add the cooked rice, the remaining ½ cup water, and the chicken, and cook covered, over low heat, for 50 minutes.
  • Plate the rice on a serving platter and place the chicken pieces on top. Serve hot and enjoy!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Persian
Keyword: Persian, rice pilaf

Join the Conversation

  1. Interesting dish where rice is cooked in chicken stock – should be delicious!

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