Description
A flavorful one-pan meal featuring spiced tandoori-style chicken cooked with aromatic basmati rice in a single pan, making it an easy yet satisfying Indian-inspired dish perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 500 g chicken thighs or drumsticks
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 2 tablespoons tandoori spice mix
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- Salt, to taste
Rice and Cooking
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon oil
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine yogurt, tandoori spice mix, minced garlic, grated ginger, and a pinch of salt. Coat the chicken thighs or drumsticks thoroughly with the marinade and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Sauté onions: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until they become soft and translucent, creating a flavorful base.
- Add rice: Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly under cold water and drain. Add the rice to the pan with the sautéed onions and stir briefly to coat the rice with oil and onion flavors.
- Add broth and simmer: Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. This will cook the rice evenly and infuse it with rich flavors.
- Cook chicken with rice: Place the marinated chicken pieces on top of the rice in the pan. Cover the pan tightly with a lid and reduce heat to low. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Garnish and serve: Once done, remove the pan from heat. Garnish the dish with fresh cilantro leaves for a burst of freshness and serve hot.
Notes
- Rinse basmati rice thoroughly before cooking for a fluffier texture.
- Marinate the chicken for longer than 30 minutes if time allows, for deeper flavor.
- You can bake this dish covered in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 30-35 minutes instead of cooking on the stovetop.
- Adjust the amount of tandoori spice mix based on your spice preference.
- Using bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks helps keep the meat juicy during cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus at least 30 minutes marinating)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian