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Authentic Chicken Ouzi Recipe: A Delicious Middle Eastern Puff Pastry Delight

Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of the Levant with this exquisite Chicken Ouzi recipe. Ouzi, pronounced “OO-zee,” is a revered and truly beloved dish across Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a symbol of celebration, togetherness, and generosity, traditionally gracing tables during significant events like wedding feasts, large family gatherings, the holy month of Ramadan, and Eid celebrations. The classic Ouzi features a rich, aromatic blend of spiced rice, tender ground meat, and various vegetables, all elegantly encased within a delicate pastry shell. While lamb or beef Ouzi is perhaps the most famous rendition, today we’re delving into a equally captivating chicken version, enveloped in a beautifully flaky puff pastry. This particular recipe, born from the wisdom shared by a dear Syrian friend, promises a delightful twist on a timeless classic, offering both ease of preparation and an abundance of flavor that will transport your taste buds straight to the Middle East.

This Chicken Ouzi is not just a dish; it’s an experience. Imagine sinking your teeth into a golden-brown, buttery puff pastry shell, revealing a luscious filling of fluffy basmati rice, succulent chicken pieces, and a vibrant medley of colorful vegetables, all infused with the distinctive warmth of Middle Eastern seven-spice blend. It’s a perfect balance of textures and tastes, making it an ideal centerpiece for any special occasion or a comforting, satisfying meal for your family.

Why You’ll Love This Puff Pastry Chicken Ouzi

Irresistible Flavor Profile: The combination of fragrant spices, tender chicken, and sweet vegetables creates a deeply satisfying and complex taste.
Delightful Texture Contrast: The crisp, flaky puff pastry provides a wonderful textural counterpoint to the soft, aromatic rice and succulent chicken filling.
Perfect for Celebrations: Ouzi is inherently festive, making this chicken version an excellent choice for impressing guests at dinner parties, holiday gatherings, or simply elevating a family meal.
Easily Adaptable: While this recipe focuses on chicken, the filling can be adapted with other proteins or even made vegetarian, offering versatility.
A Taste of Tradition: Experience a genuine piece of Levantine culinary heritage in your own kitchen.

Essential Ingredients for Your Chicken Ouzi

Creating this magnificent dish requires a careful selection of fresh ingredients and aromatic spices. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

Basmati Rice: 3 cups. Known for its long grains and aromatic qualities, basmati rice is the perfect choice for Ouzi, ensuring a fluffy texture that absorbs the flavors beautifully.
Olive Oil: 3 tablespoons. A good quality olive oil forms the base for sautéing, adding a subtle richness to the chicken and vegetables.
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: 1 pound, cubed. Chicken breast provides a lean and tender protein, easy to cook and integrate into the rice mixture.
Large Onion: 1, diced. Essential for building a flavorful foundation, sautéed onions add sweetness and depth.
Bell Peppers: 1 medium red, 1 medium green, 1 medium yellow, all diced. This colorful trio not only adds visual appeal but also contributes sweet, earthy notes and vitamins to the filling.
Carrots: 2, about 1 cup, diced. Carrots lend a natural sweetness and an appealing crunch, complementing the other vegetables.
Salt and Black Pepper: To your taste. These fundamental seasonings bring out the natural flavors of all the ingredients.
Seven Spices (Baharat): 1 tablespoon. This iconic Middle Eastern spice blend is crucial for authentic Ouzi flavor, typically comprising allspice, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, and nutmeg.
Unsalted Butter: 2 tablespoons. A touch of butter enhances the richness of the rice mixture, adding a luxurious mouthfeel.
Fresh Parsley: ½ cup, chopped. Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous note and a vibrant splash of color to the finished dish.
Roasted Pine Nuts or Almonds: ¼ cup. These add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor, a traditional garnish for many Middle Eastern rice dishes. Toast them lightly for enhanced aroma.
Puff Pastry or Spring Roll Sheets: 1 packet. Puff pastry delivers that coveted flaky, buttery crust, while spring roll sheets offer a lighter, crispier alternative. Choose what suits your preference.
Large Egg: 1, for egg wash (optional, but highly recommended for a golden crust).

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Chicken Ouzi

Follow these detailed instructions to create a show-stopping Chicken Ouzi that will impress everyone at your table:

Step 1: Preparing the Flavorful Chicken and Vegetable Mixture

Begin by heating the olive oil in a large, sturdy skillet or deep pan over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the cubed chicken breast. Stir-fry for approximately 4-5 minutes, ensuring the chicken pieces are thoroughly seared and no longer pink, turning a beautiful golden-white color.
Next, introduce the diced onion to the pan. Reduce the heat slightly to medium and continue stirring for another 3-4 minutes, or until the onions become translucent and fragrant, softening without browning too much.
Add the vibrant diced bell peppers (red, green, and yellow) and the diced carrots to the skillet. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly while still retaining a pleasant bite.
Season the mixture generously with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and the crucial 7 spices blend. Stir well to ensure all the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated with the aromatic spices. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and allow the chicken and vegetables to simmer gently for about 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Perfectly Cooking the Basmati Rice

In a separate saucepan, cook the basmati rice according to package directions, but with a slight adjustment: reduce the suggested amount of water by about ¼ cup. The goal is to achieve rice that is cooked but still firm, or “al dente,” as it will finish cooking within the pastry in the oven. This prevents the Ouzi from becoming overly moist or mushy.
Once the rice is cooked, immediately spread it out on a baking sheet or a large platter to cool down completely. This step is vital to prevent condensation and ensure the rice remains fluffy when mixed with the chicken and vegetables.

Step 3: Combining the Ouzi Filling and Preparing the Pastry

Once both the chicken and vegetable mixture and the rice have cooled, transfer the rice to the pan with the chicken and vegetables. Add the unsalted butter, chopped fresh parsley, and the roasted pine nuts or almonds.
Gently but thoroughly mix all the ingredients together. Ensure the spices and flavors are evenly distributed throughout the rice and chicken. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
If using frozen puff pastry, ensure it is properly thawed according to package instructions. Lightly flour a clean surface and, if necessary, gently roll out the puff pastry sheets to your desired thickness, typically thin enough to be pliable but not so thin that it tears easily.

Step 4: Assembling Your Ouzi Parcels

Take a small, oven-safe bowl (about 4-5 inches in diameter is ideal for individual servings). Line the bowl with a piece of the puff pastry, gently stretching it in all directions so that it drapes over the edges of the bowl.
Generously fill the pastry-lined bowl with the prepared chicken and rice mixture, pressing it down lightly to ensure it’s compact.
Carefully gather the edges of the puff pastry over the filling, folding them upwards and sealing them completely to form a neat parcel. You can pinch the edges to create a decorative finish.
Gently invert the bowl and carefully transfer the Ouzi parcel, seam-side down, onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat this process until all the filling and pastry are used, creating a beautiful batch of individual Ouzi parcels.

Step 5: Baking to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a small bowl, whisk one large egg with a dash of black pepper (this helps cut any eggy smell and adds a little extra color). Lightly brush the surface of each Ouzi parcel with this egg wash. The egg wash will give the puff pastry a gorgeous golden-brown color and a beautiful sheen.
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 35-45 minutes, or until the puff pastry is visibly golden brown, puffed up, and cooked through. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Once baked, remove the Ouzi parcels from the oven. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish the top of each parcel with an additional sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and/or roasted nuts (pine nuts or slivered almonds) for extra flavor and visual appeal.

Serving Suggestions for a Complete Middle Eastern Feast

Ouzi is a hearty and satisfying dish on its own, but it truly shines when served alongside traditional accompaniments that complement its rich flavors:

Yogurt or Labneh: A dollop of cool, plain yogurt or creamy labneh (strained yogurt) provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, spiced Ouzi.
Fresh Salads: A vibrant Fattoush salad with its crisp vegetables and tangy dressing, or a refreshing Tabbouleh, are perfect pairings.
Cucumber and Yogurt Dip: A simple dip made with grated cucumber, garlic, mint, and yogurt offers a cooling element.
Roasted Vegetables: Alongside the Ouzi, a side of simply roasted seasonal vegetables can add more color and nutrition.
Pickles: A small side of traditional Middle Eastern pickles can cut through the richness and cleanse the palate.

Tips for Ouzi Success

Don’t Overcook the Rice Initially: Remember, the rice will continue to cook inside the pastry. Slightly firm rice at the beginning is key to avoiding a mushy filling.
Cool the Filling: Ensure your chicken and rice mixture is completely cooled before assembling with the puff pastry. Hot filling can melt the butter in the pastry, leading to a less flaky result.
Work with Cold Pastry: Puff pastry is best handled when cold. If it gets too warm and sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before continuing.
Seal Well: Make sure the pastry edges are well-sealed to prevent the filling from spilling out during baking.
Even Baking: Arrange the Ouzi parcels on the baking sheet with enough space between them for even air circulation, ensuring they brown beautifully on all sides.
Make Ahead: You can prepare the chicken and rice filling a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Assemble the parcels just before baking.

Variations to Explore

While this chicken version is fantastic, Ouzi is a versatile dish that welcomes creativity:

Classic Ground Meat: For a more traditional take, substitute the cubed chicken with 1 pound of ground lamb or beef.
Vegetarian Ouzi: Replace the chicken with sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or a mixture of hearty vegetables like chickpeas and spinach for a delicious plant-based option.
Different Spices: Experiment with additional spices like a pinch of cardamom, a touch of turmeric for color, or a dash of sumac for tanginess.
Phyllo Dough: If you prefer an even crispier, lighter crust, you can use layers of buttered phyllo dough instead of puff pastry.
Add Green Peas: For extra sweetness and color, gently fold in ½ cup of frozen green peas (thawed) into the rice mixture.

This Chicken Ouzi recipe is a testament to the rich culinary heritage of the Middle East – a dish that’s both comforting and celebratory. Its aromatic spices, tender filling, and flaky pastry create a harmonious blend that will undoubtedly become a cherished addition to your recipe collection. Whether you’re making it for a special gathering or a cozy family dinner, the effort is truly rewarded with every delicious bite. Enjoy the journey of bringing this beautiful Levantine tradition into your home!

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