Hatay Salt Baked Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 Whole Chicken (Abt 1.8 Kg)
• 1 cup rice (washed & drained till water is clear)
• 2 tbsp ghee or butter
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 large onion (finely diced)
• 1 tsp allspice powder
• 1 tbsp dried currants
• 1 small carrot (finely diced)
• 1/8 tsp chilli flakes
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 cup water

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Steps ---

2. 2

   Mix ingredients for the rub in a small bowl & set aside.

3. 3

   For the spiced rice, heat a pan on medium high & add ghee or butter.

4. 4

   When melted, add onion & garlic, cook till onion has turned translucent.

5. 5

   Add the rest of the ingredients (except water) & cook for 5 mins.

6. 6

   Add water, give it a quick stir, cover with lid & bring to a boil.

7. 7

   Lower heat to maintain a simmer, remove from heat as soon as all the moisture has been absorbed by the rice & set aside.

8. 8

   Clean chicken, pat dry & smear the rub all over.

9. 9

   Spoon enough rice into the cavity of chicken, stuff with the zested lemon (used for rub earlier), use a toothpick or skewer to poke the skin & contain the rice inside, set aside.

10. 10

    Combine all ingredients for the salt crust in a large bowl, mix well with hands & set aside.

11. 11

    On a large baking dish, create a base with 1 inch of salt, place stuffed chicken on top, use remaining salt to make a dome & fully cover the chicken.

12. 12

    Bake in a 200 deg C preheated oven for 105-120 mins.

13. 13

    Carefully break salt crust, peel off the chicken skin & discard, cut through to reveal rice stuffing & serve immediately.