Chicken Salona | Emirati Chicken and Vegetable Stew

Dajaj Salona is a comforting Emirati chicken stew packed with seasonal vegetables and flavored with Bezar, a fragrant spice blend. This one-pot dish is rich, hearty, and full of traditional flavors. Perfect with rice or bread, it's a must-try for lovers of Middle Eastern cuisine!

📝 Ingredients

• 800 grams skinless whole chicken (cut into 8 to 12 pieces)
• water as required
• 1 green cardamom
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 loomi (dried lime or black lime)
• 1 piece galangal root (optional)
• 1 black stone flower (shaiba leaves (optional))
• 1 garlic clove
• 3 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 large onion (finely chopped)
• 3 garlic cloves (peeled and crushed)
• 1/2 inch grated ginger
• 3 green chillies (slit)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 potatoes (peeled and cut into chunky roundels)
• 2 to 3 carrot (peeled and cut into chunky roundels)
• 10 french beans
• 1 bell pepper (any colour)
• 2 to 3 large tomatoes (cut into roundels)
• 1 loomi (dried lime or black lime)
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/4 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon bezar spice mix
• salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves (chopped)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Prepare Chicken Broth ---
2. 2Prepare Chicken Broth: Take a deep pot, add water, chicken pieces, and the whole spices and bring it to a full boil.
3. 3Prepare Chicken Broth: Skim out and discard the foam and impurities using a spoon. Reduce the flame to low and simmer for 30 minutes or until the chicken pieces and cooked.
4. 4Prepare Chicken Broth: Remove the chicken pieces using tongs and keep them aside. Strain the broth and discard the whole spices.
5. 5--- Prepare Dejaj Salona ---
6. 6Prepare Dejaj Salona: Heat the oil in a curry pot over medium-high heat. Add onions, and sauté until golden with a dash of salt.
7. 7Prepare Dejaj Salona: Stir in ginger, garlic and green chillies and sauté for a minute.
8. 8Prepare Dejaj Salona: Add the tomato paste, tomatoes, and all the chopped veggies along with a loomi. Season with salt as you go.
9. 9Prepare Dejaj Salona: Cover and cook for 5 to 8 mins stirring occasionally until tomatoes are cooked down.
10. 10Prepare Dejaj Salona: Add the boiled chicken pieces and all the spice powders including bezar.
11. 11Prepare Dejaj Salona: Pour the strained broth and add more water if required. Taste and adjust the salt.
12. 12Prepare Dejaj Salona: Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until all the vegetables are cooked through. Stir in fresh coriander leaves.
13. 13--- Serve saloona ---
14. 14Serve saloona: Serve chicken salona warm with a sprinkle of freshly chopped coriander leaves. Serve with white rice or Emirati bread, ragag.