This Whole Chicken With Rice Stuffing is definitely a one of my favorite dishes! It’s not only delicious and easy to make but it is also very nutritious for you. If you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to share it with others who would love to enjoy it as well. Let me know in the comments if you liked this recipe by leaving your own personal review.
Whole Chicken With Rice Stuffing
- 30m prep
- 1h 50m cook
- 6 servings

Impress the family with this roast chicken with chilli rice stuffing recipe.
736 calories per serve
Allergens: Recipe may contain gluten and wheat.
- 11 Ingredients
- 3 Method Steps
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 onions, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp Coles Brand chilli flakes
- 3 cups cooked brown rice (from 1 cup raw)
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
- 2 x 1.4kg Coles Brand small whole fresh chickens, from the meat department
- Gravy, to serve
- Extra lemon cheeks, to serve
- Select all ingredients
ADD TO SHOPPING LIST
We are temporarily pausing click-to-cart functionality due to a technical issue. We will resume as soon as possible. Thank you for understanding.
- Step 1Heat the oven to 200°C or 180°F with a fan. Wash and pat dry the birds.
- Step 2Heat a frying pan with two tablespoons of oil over medium heat. 5 minutes of cooking is sufficient to soften onion. Cook the spices and garlic for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. To cool, transfer to a bowl. Add parsley, lemon juice, and cooked rice. Season. To mingle, blend.
- Step 3Pour stuffing into each cavity and press it in firmly. Legs are tied together, and cavity is secured with a skewer. Put inside a sizable baking pan. Sprinkle remaining oil over top. Season. For 45 minutes, bake. Heat is reduced to 180°C or 160°F fan. A skewer should come out clean when inserted into the thickest section of the chicken after an additional hour of baking. Prior to cutting, rest for ten minutes. Gravy and lemon cheeks should be served.
RICE STUFFED CHICKEN (TENDER & JUICY)

A rice-stuffed chicken is a delicious alternative to a roast supper that offers a variety of flavors.
There is always a ton of stuffing involved in Arabic cooking!
Anything that can be filled with rice and ground beef is done so, including leaves, vegetables, and meat.
In contrast to western cooking, which stuffs poultry with a bread-based stuffing, this recipe uses rice.
WHAT IS RICE STUFFED CHICKEN?
a roast chicken that has been filled with a mixture of cooked rice and lamb.
When the rice mixture is stuffed into a raw chicken and roasted in a baking dish, the rice mixture is said to be cooked.
The well-known dish of chicken and rice is made much more flavorful by the addition of ground lamb and spices.
You can prepare this stuffing as a rice side dish to go with the chicken.
HOW TO MAKE RICE STUFFED CHICKEN

In a small pan, combine the rice and salt. Cook the rice according to package directions for around 15 minutes.
When the oil is hot, add the onions and garlic and sauté until they are transparent.
When the lamb is well cooked, add the toasted pine nuts and continue cooking the ground lamb with the spices.
Combine the cooked rice and meat mixture in a bowl until thoroughly combined.
Set the oven’s temperature to 400°F (200°C).
Place the remaining stuffing in the bottom of the pan and stuff the chicken to the brim.
Place the chicken on top of the rice in the roasting pan, then re-heat the oven for an additional hour.
Wild rice is a delicious substitute for the white rice called for in this chicken recipe.
Serve the cooked stuffing on a dish with a chicken breast, thigh, or other piece of your choice on top.
At an Arab American Thanksgiving meal, you’ll most certainly discover this rice stuffing.
ONLY FOR CHICKEN OR TURKEY?
Hardly!
In the Middle East, where many delicacies are stuffed with hashwe—the Arabic term for stuffing—rice stuffing is a frequent practice.
Stuffed grape leaves and stuffed cabbage leaves are two of the most popular stuffing dish leaves.
After being blanched to soften them, the leaves are rolled in a rice and beef mixture then stovetop cooked.
Along with peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant, squash is also cored before being filled with a variety of other vegetables.
A complete stuffed sheep, or lamb, is a common meal; if you don’t want to prepare the entire animal, you can stuff the shoulder instead.
A pocket for the filling is created when the meat is separated from the ribs, and additional stuffing is frequently provided on the side.
For a filling lunch, you can pack chicken and fish as well.
When the chefs come in closer to the animal, the foods tend to be less appealing to me personally.for instance, the intestines!
These are cleaned before being filled with rice, meat, and occasionally chickpeas.
The only distinction is that creating sausage is not the same as cooking intestines, which is how this dish is known in Arabic.
Tripe, commonly referred to as stomach, is another object used for stuffing.
After being carefully cleaned, the stomach is sliced into squares, filled with rice stuffing, and then sewed into pouches.
Though not my favorite, you have to respect the fact that the entire animal is used, leaving nothing to waste.
MUSINGS ON MEMORIES
All this discourse about eating strange foods and not wasting anything brought up childhood memories of visiting my grandfather in Jerusalem.
The sheep’s heads were probably originally a poor man’s diet.
To the surprise of several family members, these heads would occasionally appear on our table.
They were served on a bed of rice and beef stuffing, and I would simply eat it.
My relatives would then proceed to hammer and crack the skulls open in a way that I perceived to be quite barbaric.
The sound of the marrow being sucked from the bones could be heard.
When I was younger, I thought this was really disgusting and questioned how I ended up in such a family.
However, I’ll eat the stuffed chicken because it’s a delicious dish with a variety of flavors and textures.
You like the crunchy skin, tender chicken meat, moist rice, rich lamb flavor, and crunch of the pine nuts.
AN ARAB AMERICAN VARIATION
I appreciate the gravy that is served with this dish; it is more of an American than an Arab tradition.
An Arab dish’s gravy or sauce is typically a leftover from cooking, or the item was cooked in the sauce.
Gravy is a stand-alone component of a meal that can be used in a variety of tableside dishes.
And for that reason, I advise making some delectable chicken gravy to add to this dish for a truly spectacular dinner.
HOW TO COOK ROASTED CHICKEN WITH RICE STUFFING – 12 EASY STEPS
One iconic cuisine in South Mediterranean nations including Spain, France, Greece, and Italy is roasted chicken with rice stuffing. This dish perfectly combines the warm, cozy sustenance of rice with the smokey taste of roasted chicken. Additionally, since we’re discussing the Mediterranean, we’re also bringing those herbs and spices with us.
Roasted chicken Recipe
Roasted Chicken with Rice Stuffing
Any holiday is a good time to make this recipe! This recipe is what you need if you’re seeking for something tasty and delectable to go with your holiday feast. You are now ready to savor some tasty, cost-effective roast chicken. Don’t waste the extra rice if you’re giving it to guests; save it for another supper! This is a fantastic way to be ready for a tasty roasting day.
Course: Main dishes, Party
Cuisine: Greek, INTERNATIONAL
Keyword: chicken, Roasted Chicken, Roasted Chicken with Rice Stuffing
CookingStyle: Roast
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 414kcal
Ingredients
1x2x3x
- 1 whole chicken
- 3 ½ cups chicken broth with a little salt
- 1 large onion white or yellow, chopped
- Celery chopped
- 1 ½ cups rice long-grain variety
- ½ cup figs and apricots dried, chopped
- ½ tsp. thyme fresh
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice freshly squeezed
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
- Olive oil
Optional ingredients
- 1 ½ tbsp. pine nuts roasted
- 1 garlic clove minced
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 3750 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Three cups of liquid chicken broth, together with chopped celery and onions, should be added to a pot over medium-low heat. Cook the broth for about five minutes with the lid on.
- Recover the broth and add the rice, thyme, and apricots. Wait until all the liquid has permeated through the rice before intervening.
- Grab the whole chicken and season it with pepper and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice (set the other 1 teaspoon aside).
- Place the rice stuffing inside the chicken after obtaining it.
- Bring the chicken’s back legs together after stuffing it, then knot them with a pretty ribbon.
- With its breast side exposed upwards, place the bird on a rack that has been lightly oiled in the roasting pan.
- The bird should be roasted for about an hour (or 1 hour and 15 minutes), but you should keep an eye on it.
- If you have leftover stuffing, put it in a casserole and roast the chicken with it for the final 30 minutes.
- The chicken and stuffing casserole should be taken out of the oven and given 15 minutes to cool.
- Olive oil should be drizzled over the chicken as well as the final teaspoon of lemon juice.
- Serve the stuffed roasted chicken with a salad, such as any green salad or steamed broccoli rabe.
- chicken salad with roast chicken
Notes
- If you opt to cook with the optional ingredients, be sure to sauté them first in oil before pouring the broth.
- Don’t stuff the bird’s cavity with too much rice as the air can’t circulate within and can reach the right temperature easily.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHICKEN
Chicken is one of the most widely consumed meats in the world. It is a versatile food that can be cooked in many ways and is also a good source of protein. However, the health benefits of chicken go far beyond just being a protein source. In this article, we will look at 10 health benefits of chicken.
Protein source
Chicken is an excellent source of high-quality protein. Protein is essential for building and repairing muscles, bones, and tissues. It is also important for maintaining a healthy immune system. A 100-gram serving of chicken breast contains about 31 grams of protein, making it a great protein source for people who are looking to build muscle or maintain a healthy body.
Weight management
Chicken is a low-calorie and low-fat food that can help with weight management. A 100-gram serving of chicken breast contains only 165 calories and 3.6 grams of fat. It is also a good source of dietary protein, which can help reduce appetite and increase satiety, leading to fewer calories consumed overall.
Heart health
Chicken is a good source of niacin, which is a B vitamin that helps to lower cholesterol levels. High cholesterol levels can increase the risk of heart disease, so eating chicken can be beneficial for heart health. Additionally, chicken contains low levels of saturated fat, which can also help to lower the risk of heart disease.
Brain health
Chicken is rich in vitamin B6, which is important for brain function. Vitamin B6 helps to produce neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that transmit signals in the brain. A deficiency in vitamin B6 can lead to depression, confusion, and other neurological disorders.
Immune system health
Chicken is a good source of zinc, which is important for a healthy immune system. Zinc helps to produce white blood cells, which are the cells that fight off infection and disease. Additionally, chicken contains vitamin A, which is important for a healthy immune system and helps to keep the skin and mucous membranes healthy.
Bone health
Chicken is a good source of phosphorus, which is important for bone health. Phosphorus works with calcium to build strong bones and teeth. A 100-gram serving of chicken breast contains about 200 milligrams of phosphorus, which is about 20% of the recommended daily intake.
Energy production
Chicken is a good source of vitamin B12, which is important for energy production. Vitamin B12 helps to convert food into energy that the body can use. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to fatigue and weakness.
Skin health
Chicken is a good source of niacin, which is important for healthy skin. Niacin helps to keep the skin moisturized and prevents dryness and flakiness. Additionally, chicken contains vitamin E, which is important for healthy skin and helps to protect against damage from the sun and other environmental factors.
Vision health
Chicken is a good source of vitamin A, which is important for vision health. Vitamin A helps to maintain healthy eyesight and prevent vision loss. Additionally, chicken contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which are antioxidants that help to protect the eyes from damage caused by free radicals.
Mood regulation
Chicken is a good source of tryptophan, which is an amino acid that helps to regulate mood. Tryptophan is important for the production of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood, appetite, and sleep. A deficiency in tryptophan can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
In conclusion, chicken is a nutritious and versatile food that offers many health benefits. It is a good source of high-quality protein, which is important for building and repairing muscles, bones.