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    Home / Dinner / Freekeh Bil Dajaj

    Freekeh Bil Dajaj

    Smoky green wheat and tender chicken braised together with warm spices — a hearty Jordanian one-pot that smells like a family dinner.

    ⏱ 20 minPrep time
    🔥 1 hrCook time
    🍽 6Servings
    🏷 DinnerCategory
    ☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
    Freekeh Bil Dajaj - smoked green wheat and chicken one-pot

    Freekeh is young green wheat that is roasted over an open fire, giving it a remarkable smoky, nutty flavor no other grain can match. It has been a staple of the Levant for centuries, and in Jordan it is braised with chicken, onions, and warm spices into the ultimate cold-weather one-pot. The grain is the star, and the chicken cooks right on top, seasoning the whole pot as it goes.

    Smoky grains, tender chicken, one happy pot

    The freekeh stays slightly chewy, with a toasty, almost grassy depth that soaks up the chicken juices and broth beautifully. Caramelized onions and a gentle hand of cinnamon and allspice round out the flavors, and toasted almonds add crunch on top. It is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, with yogurt or salad alongside. One pot, one hour, and the whole house smells like the kind of dinner worth coming home to.

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    Step by stepInstructions

    1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes, and set aside.
    2. Add the onions to the pot and cook until deep golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
    3. Stir in the garlic, cinnamon, allspice, turmeric, salt, and pepper and cook 1 minute.
    4. Add the freekeh and stir to coat in the spices. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil.
    5. Nestle the chicken into the freekeh, cover, and simmer over low heat until the grain is tender and the liquid is absorbed, 35 to 40 minutes.
    6. Melt the butter in a small pan and toast the almonds until golden; set aside.
    7. Fluff the freekeh, arrange the chicken on top, scatter with the almonds, and serve hot.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    Rinse the freekeh well and pick through it — it can hide the odd bit of chaff. Look for cracked freekeh, which cooks faster than whole.

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    Recipe details

    Prep20 min
    Cook1 hr
    Servings6
    CategoryDinner
    PublishedAugust 17, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

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