Fattet Jaj – A Comforting Middle Eastern Chicken Fatteh
If you’ve never had Fattet Jaj, you are in for a treat. It is a heartwarming dish that layers bold flavours and textures into something truly special. Often enjoyed across the Levant – particularly in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan, this dish is a brilliant showcase of how simple ingredients can transform into comfort food perfection.
I tried this dish for the first time recently. I was at a food party with similar language students like myself, many of whom are from the Middle East. We all brought some food from our own country of origin. This food had been prepared by a friend of mine from Syria and I was inspired to try and copy it.
Ingredients
At its heart, chicken fatteh (or Fattet Jaj) combines tender pieces of seasoned chicken breast with fragrant basmati rice, all nestled on a crunchy bed of fried pita bread. It’s the kind of dish that hits all the right notes – crispy, creamy, savoury, and satisfying.
The real magic, though, lies in the sauce. A cool, garlicky mix of Greek-style yoghurt, tahini, lemon juice, and crushed garlic, drizzled generously over the rice and chicken, adds creaminess and tang to every bite. A touch of olive oil and paprika gives it a gentle warmth, while salt and pepper pull everything together.
And no fatteh is complete without a generous garnish. Here, golden-fried mixed nuts – toasted pistachios and almonds – add richness and crunch, turning the dish into something that feels celebratory, even on a weeknight.
This dish is all about contrast: hot and cold, crispy and creamy, hearty and fresh. It’s one of those meals that just makes you smile, and it’s light enough to enjoy any time of year.
Whether you are new to Middle Eastern cuisine or simply craving something cozy, Fattet Jaj is the kind of recipe that will become a fast favourite. Gather your ingredients, layer it up, and dig into a dish that’s as nourishing as it is delicious.
How to make Fattet Jaj
Fattet Jaj (Chicken Fatteh)
Middle Eastern fattet jaj made with tender chicken, rice, crispy pita and creamy garlic tahini yoghurt sauce. A comforting chicken fatteh dish.
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken breasts
- 200g Basmati rice
- 2 pieces Pita bread
- Ghee (enough to fry the pita)
- Mixed nuts to garnish (I used pistachio and almonds)
For the Sauce
- 400ml Greek style yoghurt
- 4 garlic cloves (crushed)
- 1 tsp Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the rice according to the manufacturer's instructions. When cooked, rinse under hot water to remove the starch and place in the fridge to cool.
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and fry in a pan (or use leftover cooked chicken if you have some).
- Cut the pita into rectangular shapes. Then briefly fry them in ghee - do not let them burn. Remove and let them dry on kitchen paper. Then roast the nuts in the same pan.
- Make the sauce: mix the garlic, yoghurt, tahini, lemon juice and paprika and season to taste.
- When all is cool, assemble the dish: place the crispy fried bread on a plate. Cover with the rice. Then add the chicken pieces and cover with the yoghurt sauce. Finally, garnish with the nuts and sprinkle with some olive oil.
Notes
Alternatively use roasted pine nuts to garnish.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 275Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 157mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 25g
This nutrition information was automatically calculated by Nutritionix, but may not be 100% accurate.