Palestinian Chicken and Rice with Spiced Yogurt
A comforting and flavorful one-pot dish featuring tender chicken and aromatic rice, simmered in a spiced broth and served with a cooling, tangy yogurt sauce.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 lb Chicken thighs(bone-in, skin-on, cut into pieces)
- 2 cups Basmati rice(rinsed)
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1.5 tsp Ground cumin
- 1 tsp Ground coriander
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 2 cups Plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 0.25 cup Fresh mint(chopped, for garnish)
- 0.5 cup Toasted almonds(slivered, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear chicken pieces until golden brown on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
- 2
Add chopped onion to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until spices are fragrant.
- 4
Return the chicken to the pot. Add chicken broth, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- 5
Stir in the rinsed basmati rice. Ensure the rice is submerged in the liquid. Bring back to a simmer, cover tightly, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- 6
While the rice is cooking, prepare the yogurt sauce: In a bowl, whisk together plain yogurt and lemon juice until smooth. Season with a pinch of salt.
- 7
Once the rice and chicken are cooked, remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Serve the chicken and rice hot, topped with the spiced yogurt sauce, chopped fresh mint, and toasted almonds.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in some of the spices and a little olive oil for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- ✓Ensure the rice is evenly distributed in the pot for consistent cooking.
- ✓Adjust the amount of spices to your preference.
🔄 Variations
- Add a handful of dried apricots or raisins to the rice for a touch of sweetness.
- Use lamb instead of chicken for a richer flavor.
- Incorporate a pinch of cardamom for an extra layer of aroma.