Albanian Tavë (One-Tray Baked Rice)
Albanian Tavë (One-Tray Baked Rice)
Ingredients
For the Tavë
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1 medium eggplant, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 4 chicken pieces, such as drumsticks and thighs
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain rice, rinsed
- 3 spring onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock, or water
For Serving (Optional Salcë Kosi)
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup cucumber, finely diced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 200
- 2
In a large bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes and eggplant. Season generously with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix well and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Season the chicken pieces with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, ensuring they are evenly coated.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Place a large oven-safe pan (such as a cast iron pan or a Dutch oven) on the stovetop over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Add the rinsed rice and chopped spring onions to the pan. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice starts to become translucent.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Stir in the tomato paste and paprika. Continue to fry for another minute, mixing well to ensure the tomato paste and paprika are fully incorporated and fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock (or water). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Carefully arrange the seasoned chicken pieces on top of the rice mixture in the pan. Then, distribute the seasoned chopped tomatoes and eggplant around and on top of the chicken and rice.
⏱️ 4 min
- 9
Transfer the pan to the preheated oven. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through, the rice is tender, and most of the liquid has been absorbed. The top should be slightly browned and caramelized.
⏱️ 60 min•🌡️ 200 - 10
While the Tavë bakes, prepare the optional Salcë Kosi: In a small bowl, combine the plain yogurt, finely diced cucumber, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Mix well and refrigerate until serving.
⏱️ 5 min
- 11
Once baked, carefully remove the Tavë from the oven. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 5 min
- 12
Serve the Tavë directly from the pan, ensuring each serving gets a portion of chicken, rice, and vegetables. Offer the Salcë Kosi on the side for a refreshing accompaniment.
⏱️ 4 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Albanian Tavë (One-Tray Baked Rice)
For the Tavë
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1 medium eggplant, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 4 chicken pieces, such as drumsticks and thighs
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain rice, rinsed
- 3 spring onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock, or water
For Serving (Optional Salcë Kosi)
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup cucumber, finely diced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 200 - 2
In a large bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes and eggplant. Season generously with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix well and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Season the chicken pieces with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, ensuring they are evenly coated.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Place a large oven-safe pan (such as a cast iron pan or a Dutch oven) on the stovetop over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Add the rinsed rice and chopped spring onions to the pan. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice starts to become translucent.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Stir in the tomato paste and paprika. Continue to fry for another minute, mixing well to ensure the tomato paste and paprika are fully incorporated and fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock (or water). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Carefully arrange the seasoned chicken pieces on top of the rice mixture in the pan. Then, distribute the seasoned chopped tomatoes and eggplant around and on top of the chicken and rice.
⏱️ 4 min - 9
Transfer the pan to the preheated oven. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through, the rice is tender, and most of the liquid has been absorbed. The top should be slightly browned and caramelized.
⏱️ 60 min•🌡️ 200 - 10
While the Tavë bakes, prepare the optional Salcë Kosi: In a small bowl, combine the plain yogurt, finely diced cucumber, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Mix well and refrigerate until serving.
⏱️ 5 min - 11
Once baked, carefully remove the Tavë from the oven. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 5 min - 12
Serve the Tavë directly from the pan, ensuring each serving gets a portion of chicken, rice, and vegetables. Offer the Salcë Kosi on the side for a refreshing accompaniment.
⏱️ 4 min