Balochistan classic · Oven roast
Sajji Recipe (Balochi Salt Roasted Chicken)
Simple salt rub. Rice inside. Slow, then hot.
Recipe by Farwa ZeeshanTested in the NineFoods home kitchenSajji is the Balochi way with meat: a whole chicken or lamb rubbed simply with salt and a little spice and roasted slowly beside an open fire until crisp and juicy. At home the bird dries out or stays pale. The fix is a salt and lemon brine, a little papaya and spice, slow roasting covered, then high heat to crisp the skin.
The 3 laws of sajji
Why this recipe works
Heavy masala
Authentic Balochi taste.
Hot from the start
Juicy meat.
Low only
Crisp outside.
Shopping and prep list
Ingredients
Sajji
The NineFoods sajji gauge
Is it cooked through?
Pierce the thigh.
Method · 3 stages
Step by step
Marinate
- Score chicken; rub with salt, lemon, papaya and spices; rest 4 hours.
Roast
- Stuff with rice, wrap in foil and roast.
Crisp
- Unwrap, brush with butter and roast to crisp. Use the gauge above.
Chef's troubleshooter
What went wrong? Pick the symptom
Why
Uncovered too long.
Fix next time
Roast covered first.
Why
No hot finish.
Fix next time
Finish at 220 C.
Why
Short marinade.
Fix next time
4 hours or overnight.
Why
Too fast.
Fix next time
Roast low and long.
Swap smart
Ingredient roles and substitutes
| Ingredient | Job in the dish | Swap with |
|---|---|---|
| Whole chicken | Main | Lamb leg (longer) |
| Papaya | Tender | Yoghurt |
| Rice stuffing | Traditional | Leave out |
| Oven | Cooking | Charcoal grill |
After the meal
Serve, store, reheat
Serve with
Naan, salad and chutney.
Store
Fridge 3 days.
Reheat
Oven covered.
How we tested this recipe
Tested in a home kitchen, not a studio
Recipe developed and tested by Farwa Zeeshan, who cooks and tests every NineFoods recipe on a regular home stove.
- Cooked from start to finish with the exact quantities above for 4 servings, using both the metric and US cup measures.
- Every one of the 3 stages was timed at the stove; heat levels and the 'look for' cues are what we saw in the pan.
- The doneness check (is it cooked through) and the troubleshooter come from batches that went wrong, and how we fixed them.
- Reheating and storage advice was checked on leftovers, not guessed.
Keep cooking
Related recipes and guides
Quick answers
Sajji FAQ
What is sajji?
A Balochi dish of meat roasted whole with simple seasoning.
Is sajji spicy?
Mildly; it is mostly salt and pepper.
Can I make sajji in the oven?
Yes, covered then uncovered.
What is inside sajji?
Often spiced rice.