Ingredients
- 300 g pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 400 g chicken breast, cut into small cubes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 cup Baladna Cooking Cream
- ½ cup grated Baladna Mozzarella Cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
How it's made!
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions.
- Drain and set aside.
- Heat butter and olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add chicken and cook until lightly golden and cooked through.
- Add garlic, black pepper, and salt.
Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. - Lower the heat and add Baladna Cooking Cream.
- Stir gently and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, and sauce.
- Transfer to a baking dish and spread evenly.
- Top with Baladna Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan if using.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is melted and lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with parsley if desired.
- Serve hot as a comforting Iftar main.
- Baladna Cooking Cream gives the sauce a smooth, rich texture without overpowering the dish.
- Using Baladna Mozzarella creates a soft, stretchy topping that bakes beautifully.
- Let the bake rest for a few minutes before serving for cleaner slices.
Cook the pasta
Prepare the chicken
Make the sauce
Assemble the bake
Bake
Serve
Tips
More Fresh Recipes
Arabic Pasta with Yogurt Sauce
Cook the pastaBring a pot of salted water to a boil.Add pasta and cook until al dente.Drain and keep it warm.Prepare the yogurt sauceIn a bowl, mix:2 cups Baladna yoghurtCrushed garlicSalt & pepper(Optional) Add milk 1 tbsp at a time until the consistency is smooth and creamy.(Optional) For a richer taste, whisk in cooking cream.Important:Do NOT heat the yoghurt directly on the stove or it may curdle.The heat from the pasta will warm it naturally.Combine pasta & saucePlace hot pasta in a serving bowl.Pour the yoghurt mixture over it.Toss gently until well coated.Taste and adjust salt/garlic.Prepare topping (optional but highly recommended)Heat 2 tbsp olive oil or butter in a small pan.Add pine nuts and sauté until golden.Pour the hot butter + pine nuts over the pasta.Add chopped mint or parsley on top.Serving SuggestionsServe warm immediately.Add grilled chicken strips or sautéed vegetables for a fuller meal.Sprinkle paprika or sumac for extra flavour.
Chicken Majboos (Qatari Machboos)
Sauté the aromaticsHeat ghee/oil in a large pot.Add chopped onions and cook until golden.Add garlic and ginger; sauté for 1 minute.Add chicken & spicesAdd chicken pieces and brown them on all sides.Add: turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon stick, cloves, bay leaf, black lime, cumin, coriander, black pepper, BaharatStir for 2 minutes until fragrant.Add tomatoes & tomato pasteStir in chopped tomatoes.Add tomato paste.Cook until tomatoes soften and the oil separates.Build the brothAdd 4–5 cups hot water.Season with salt (add stock cube if using).Cover and simmer 25–30 minutes until chicken is cooked through.Remove chicken and set aside.Strain the broth (optional but recommended for a clean rice texture).Prepare the riceAdd the washed, soaked rice into the broth.Add saffron + warm milk mixture if using.Cover and cook on low heat 18–20 minutes, until rice is fluffy.Roast/grill the chicken (optional but traditional)Place cooked chicken under the oven broiler for 5–10 minutes for a golden color OR pan-sear until crispy.AssembleFluff the rice gently.Place chicken pieces on top.Garnish with fried onions, toasted nuts, and coriander.Tips for Perfect MajboosBlack lime (loomi) gives authentic Qatari flavor. Do not skip!Use long-grain basmati for fluffy, separate rice.The tomato paste + spices + onion base is the heart of the dish.Adding saffron soaked in Baladna Milk boosts aroma and colorGrilling the chicken enhances flavor and makes it restaurant-style.