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Iraqi Tepsi (Baked Chicken Casserole)

A hearty Iraqi-style tray bake.

07 Jul 2023

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Iraqi Tepsi (Baked Chicken Casserole)

Iraqi Tepsi (Baked Chicken Casserole)

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Prep30 mins

Cook1 hr 30 mins

Serves4–6

LevelMedium

Tepsi is a traditional Iraqi dish baked in a single tray, layering potatoes, eggplant, and peppers with seasoned chicken. A sauce of tomato and pomegranate molasses ties it together with a distinctive sweet-tart flavor. It is usually served with fragrant dill rice to complete the meal.

How to Prepare

1

Season the chicken pieces with mixed spice, black pepper, paprika, cinnamon and salt.

Season the chicken pieces with mixed spice, black pepper

2

Fry the potato, eggplant, onion, peppers and the chicken until golden.

Fry the potato, eggplant, onion, peppers and the chicken

3

Arrange everything in an oven tray and tuck in the coloured bell peppers and garlic cloves.

Arrange everything in an oven tray and tuck in the coloured

4

Stir 2 tablespoons tomato paste and 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses into 2 cups of water and pour over the tray.

Stir 2 tablespoons tomato paste and 2 tablespoons

5

Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 1.5 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked, depending on the size of the pieces.

Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 1

6

For the rice, sauté a finely chopped onion and a quarter bunch of dill in vegetable oil with spices and a stock cube.

For the rice, sauté a finely chopped onion and a quarter

7

Add the rice and salt, cover with water and cook until tender, finishing with a piece of butter.

Add the rice and salt, cover with water and cook until

8

Serve the tepsi hot alongside the dill rice.

Serve the tepsi hot alongside the dill rice

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✦ Chef Noor's Tip

Frying the vegetables first deepens their flavour, but you can roast them to keep the dish lighter.

Ingredient Swaps

Swap the chicken for cubed lamb, extending the baking time.

For a lighter option, roast the vegetables in the oven instead of frying.

Replace the pomegranate molasses with extra tomato paste plus a pinch of sugar and lemon.

Common Questions

Why fry the vegetables before baking?

Frying gives them color and deep flavor before the bake finishes them.

How do I layer it?

Distribute the vegetables and chicken evenly and pour the sauce so it partly covers them.

What does the pomegranate molasses do?

It gives the sweet-tart balance that defines this Iraqi dish.

How do I get fragrant dill rice?

Saute the onion, then the rice, add the dill and broth, and cook over low heat.

What should I serve it with?

With the dill rice and a salad or yogurt.