• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Munaty Cooking
  • Recipe Index
  • Chicken
  • Videos
  • Main Meals
  • About Me
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Chicken
  • Videos
  • Main Meals
  • About Me
×

Home » Main Meals

Easy Freekeh with Chicken Recipe

Published: Sep 29, 2022 by Muna · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Recipe

Freekeh with Chicken is a Lebanese dish; an easy-to-prepare dish served as a main meal. It is full of nutrients from the whole grain freekeh and protein from the chicken seasoned with earthy warm spices that fill it with great flavor.

Feature image of chicken freekeh for 2022.
Jump to:
  • 🥘 INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED
  • 🔪 HOW TO MAKE
  • 💭 COOKING TIPS
  • 📖 DELICIOUS VARIATIONS
  • 💬 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  • 🍲 MORE MIDDLE EASTERN RECIPES
  • 🌡️ STORING AND REHEATING
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Freekeh with Chicken is an Arabic dish, but there are different versions, depending on which Arab country you are in. The recipe I'm sharing here is tweaked to make it quicker to prepare, and (in my opinion) it gives better flavor to this dish.

🥘 INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED

Chicken: I have used a whole chicken and cut it in quarters. However, you can go for legs, thighs, or only breasts.

Freekeh: I have used whole grain freekeh, not cracked freekeh, to maintain the chewy texture.

Spices: A few spices that are normally available in your kitchen or easy to get in the stores.

Almond: Although this is optional and you can replace it with other nuts, it is best to go for almond to garnish the dish since it goes well with freekeh.

Chicken freekeh garnished with almonds.

🔪 HOW TO MAKE

Step 1

In a pan, fry the onion until translucent, and add the chicken with the skin down. Season and cook until golden.

Step 2

Leave the onion in the pan and cook the chicken in a preheated oven after pouring the hot water.

Step 3

Add the freekeh after straining it from water to the onion and fry until dry. Now add the water and the

Add the freekeh after straining it from water to the onion and fry until dry. Now add the water and the chicken bouillon and cook.

Step 4

Dish the freekeh, place the chicken on top and then garnish with toasted almonds.

💭 COOKING TIPS

  • It is best to keep the skin of the chicken on it to prevent it from drying.
  • Make sure that you are using wholegrain freekeh.
  • The more you allow the freekeh to soak, the faster it cooks.
  • Add the spices you like to make it your own.
  • You can grill the chicken instead of roasting it in the oven.
Overhead shot of chicken freekeh served in white plate.

📖 DELICIOUS VARIATIONS

Different protein: You can make fish freekeh using your desired type of fish.

Use different nuts: I find that pistachios work great with freekeh.

Vegetable stock: I have used chicken stock or bouillon since it enhances the dish's flavor, but you can use vegetable stock.

💬 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is freekeh?

Freekeh, also called "farik" is a grain made from green durum wheat that is roasted and then rubbed to remove any chaff, then fire-roasted to give it a unique smoky flavor. "Wiki."

What are the types of freekeh?

There are whole freekeh and cracked freekeh. Cracked freekeh are broken into smaller pieces to help cook them faster and are mostly used in fast-cooked dishes and salads. The whole freekeh is used in main meals and takes a little longer to cook.

Why do we fry the freekeh?

Frying the freekeh prevents it from turning mushy if overcooked and brings out the smoky flavor.

Is freekeh healthy?

Yes. Freekeh is healthy, packed with protein and other nutrients, and has a low glycemic index. You can replace potatoes, rice, and bread with freekeh. 

Is freekeh gluten-free?

No, it's not.

🍲 MORE MIDDLE EASTERN RECIPES

  • Perfect Crispy Kibbeh (Lebanese Lamb Croquettes)
  • Mujadara Lentils And Rice Vegan Recipe With a Video
  • Perfect Stuffed Grape Leaves Vegetarian Warak Enab
  • Authentic Falafel Recipe with Tahini Sauce

🌡️ STORING AND REHEATING

Fridge: Place the chicken freekeh in an airtight container and refrigerate for three days.

Freezing: You can also freeze the freekeh for up to 2 months. To thaw, place the freekeh in the fridge overnight and reheat as mentioned below.

Reheating: It is best to reheat the freekeh on the stovetop or in the oven, but you can also microwave it for 2 minutes.

📖 Recipe

small image of chicken with freekeh for 2022.

Freekeh with Chicken

Freekeh with chicken is a Lebanese dish. A healthy meal that has amazing flavor and is full of nutrients and protein.
5 from 1 vote
Print Rate
Course: Main Meal
Cuisine: Lebanon
Keyword: freekeh with chicken
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 464kcal
Author: Muna Kenny

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken cut in quarters with skin and bones
  • 2 cups green freekeh washed and soaked for 15 minutes
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon Cinnamon powder for the freekeh
  • ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder for the freekeh
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper for the freekeh
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 cubes chicken bouillon
  • 3 ½ cups boiling water for freekeh
  • 1 cup fried almonds ,or roasted.
  • * You will use pinches of salt black pepper, cinnamon, and cardamom powder to sprinkle on the chicken.

Instructions

  • In a pan, add butter and olive oil.
  • Fry the onions, and when it's translucent, add the chicken, skin down.
  • Sprinkle cinnamon, salt, black pepper, and cardamom on chicken. When the bottom side of the chicken turns golden, flip and season the other side of the chicken.
  • Preheat oven to 392F/200C.
  • Transfer chicken to a baking pan. Keep the onion in the pan. Pour ¼ cup boiling water into the baking pan, cover, and bake the chicken on the middle rack until it is cooked, around 40 minutes.
  • Drain freekeh and add it to the fried onion in the pan. Keep stirring on medium heat, until freekeh dries a bit. Add the freekeh spices and stir for 1 minute.
  • Add 3 ½ cup boiling water to freekeh and the chicken bouillon. When it boils, cover tightly and continue cooking on low heat for 45 – 50 minutes. Check on freekeh every 15 minutes so won't dry out and burn, but don't mix with a spoon.
  • Dish the freekeh onto serving plate, place the chicken on top, and garnish with fried almonds.

Notes

  • You can use 3 ½ cups of chicken stock instead of chicken bouillon. 
  • Remove the skin from the chicken to lower the calories in the dish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 464kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 310mg | Potassium: 339mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 2mg
DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE?Follow me on Instagram @munatycooking or tag #munatycooking!

Share this post:

Share on PinterestShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
« Easy Orange Chicken Recipe
Melting Moments Butter Cookies »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nami | Just One Cookbook

    July 27, 2012 at 4:33 am

    I have never heard of freekeh so I believed you when you said hair pin! Just kiddindg. 😀 Thanks for the introduction of this special grain. How interesting and I'd love to try this. Your chicken and freekeh looks so good together!

    Reply
  2. Munatycooking

    July 27, 2012 at 4:39 am

    Lol! Thanks Nami, please try this dish, it's very delicious. I don't know why I don't make it often. Let me know what you think once you try it 😉

    Reply
  3. Yumgoggle

    July 27, 2012 at 2:40 pm

    Now I need to get hold of this freekeh...It sure looks really delicious specially with the chicken and all the herbs and spices. I love a unique and exotic dish such as this one. I love to try sometime. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  4. Munatycooking

    July 27, 2012 at 7:11 pm

    Thanks for your kind words and invitation, I appreciate it. I've been to your website and I will for sure submit my photos.
    Hope you enjoy the recipe 🙂

    Reply
  5. Spice up the Curry

    July 28, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    very very delicious . I am salivating here..

    Reply
  6. Sandra M.

    July 29, 2012 at 3:14 am

    Muna, this looks absolutely amazing! I love how the chicken turned out, but I never heard about freekeh. I will have to search and see is there any other names in translation. Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  7. Munatycooking

    July 29, 2012 at 4:20 am

    @Spice up the Curry, Thanks for coming over, I'm sure you'll like this dish 🙂

    @Sandra M, Thanks for the compliment Sandra. Freekeh is not well known in western countries, but I've seen recipes over the internet that used it as cereal and in salads. Hope you enjoy it 🙂

    Reply
  8. Medeja

    July 29, 2012 at 11:20 am

    Oh Arabic dishes are so flavorful and delicious, I almost can taste it from the picture 🙂

    Reply
  9. Yasmin @ Red Panda Bakes

    July 29, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    Looks delicious and I bet it was! 🙂 My mother loves to stuff a whole chicken with freekeh.

    Reply
  10. Munatycooking

    July 29, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    @Medeja, You are right, I love Arabic food!

    @Yasmin, Welcome, I believe this is your first visit to my blog! I've been to your blog, the food is amazing and the cakes are sooo cute ... I'm following you 🙂

    Reply
  11. Rosa's Yummy Yums

    August 02, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    A fabulous dish! It looks ever so tasty and ddroolworthy. I would mind eating that every week if you ask me!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  12. Shu Han

    August 03, 2012 at 9:47 am

    That looks "freekeh"-shly good! Haha! Really, it does look absolutely delicious, I love the combination of spices used in the rub for the chicken, and am new to this new grain but can imagine its nutty flavours workign really well. Thanks for introducing this new dish to us!

    Reply
  13. Munatycooking

    August 03, 2012 at 10:15 am

    @Rosa, Thanks for stopping by dear :)... This dish is full of flavor and is addictive. Give it a try!

    @Shu Han, Glad to see you here 🙂 ... I guess Freekeh is not a familiar dish, but believe me it's delicious and you would want to make it again and again!

    Reply
  14. Robin @ Mom Foodie

    August 18, 2012 at 12:41 pm

    I love cooking kamut and other strains of wheat. So I'm sure I would like this.

    Reply
  15. syrian cuisine

    April 24, 2014 at 12:05 am

    wow, i tried this last night and taste really delicious. thanks for sharing, now i can cook this anytime.

    Reply
    • munatycooking

      April 24, 2014 at 6:07 am

      Glad you liked my recipe, and thanks for your kind comment 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

I'M GLAD YOU'RE HERE!

Hello there, and welcome! I’m Muna, the writer, food photographer, and videographer at Munaty Cooking. I’m also the mother of a handsome young man. I’m from and reside in Sharjah. Oh, and there are more fun facts about me!

Footer

AS FEATURED ON

Footer

About

  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Recipes

  • Dinner Recipes
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Dessert Recipes

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. You can learn more about our affiliate policy. Please read my disclosure policy.

Copyright © 2021 Munaty Cooking