This fragrant Spiced Chicken Pilau is a comforting one-pot meal where fluffy basmati rice absorbs the rich flavors of turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. Tender chunks of boneless chicken breast are fried with onions in ghee before being simmered with the rice in chicken stock. The dish is finished with sweet golden raisins, crunchy cashews, and fresh green peas, creating a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and aromatic notes. It&# 226;ÂÂs an ideal weeknight dinner that feels special enough for guests, requiring minimal cleanup and delivering maximum flavor.
Spiced Chicken Pilau
Description
This fragrant Spiced Chicken Pilau is a comforting one-pot meal where fluffy basmati rice absorbs the rich flavors of turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. Tender chunks of boneless chicken breast are fried with onions in ghee before being simmered with the rice in chicken stock. The dish is finished with sweet golden raisins, crunchy cashews, and fresh green peas, creating a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and aromatic notes. It’s an ideal weeknight dinner that feels special enough for guests, requiring minimal cleanup and delivering maximum flavor.Ingredients
Directions
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Melt ghee in a large saucepan over medium heat.
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Add sliced onions and cubed chicken; fry for 3 minutes, stirring constantly until onions soften and chicken begins to brown.
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Stir in turmeric and basmati rice; cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to coat the rice in spices and ghee.
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Pour in boiling chicken stock, cardamom seeds, cinnamon, cloves, fenugreek, and salt; stir well to combine.
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Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer gently for 20 minutes.
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Carefully remove the lid and stir in the thawed green peas, cashews, and golden raisins.
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Cover the pot again and cook for an additional 10 minutes to heat through and allow flavors to meld.
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Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
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Fluff the pilau gently with a fork to separate the grains.
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Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with green onion daisy, red bell pepper strips, and parsley sprigs if desired. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 259.0kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 12.1g19%
- Saturated Fat 3.3g17%
- Cholesterol 89.0mg30%
- Sodium 84.0mg4%
- Total Carbohydrate 4.7g2%
- Dietary Fiber 0.8g4%
- Sugars 2.1g
- Protein 27.6g56%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Ensure the lid fits tightly on the saucepan to trap steam, which is essential for cooking the rice evenly.
If you cannot find whole cardamom pods, you can substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom, adding it with the other ground spices.
For added crunch, you can toast the cashews in a dry pan before adding them to the pilau.
This dish reheats well. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water to restore moisture.
You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts for a richer flavor and more tender texture.
