Chicken and Yellow Rice Recipe: A Flavorful and Comforting Meal
Tender chicken thighs or breasts simmered with yellow rice, spices, and vegetables for a hearty, fragrant dish. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep!
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (or 2 breasts, halved)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1½ cups 300g long-grain white rice (e.g., Basmati or Jasmine)
- 2½ cups 600ml chicken broth
- 1 tsp turmeric for color
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup frozen peas optional
- 1 lemon juice + zest, optional for brightness
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat chicken dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until golden. Flip and cook 2-3 minutes more. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté veggies: In the same pot, add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Toast the rice: Stir in rice, turmeric, smoked paprika, and cumin. Cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the rice and spices.
- Simmer: Pour in chicken broth and add the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Nestle the seared chicken into the rice. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temp).
- Add peas: Stir in frozen peas (if using) during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Finish: Remove bay leaf. Squeeze lemon juice over the dish and garnish with parsley or cilantro.
Notes
- Saffron option: Replace turmeric with a pinch of saffron threads (soaked in 2 tbsp warm water) for a more authentic flavor.
- Vegetarian version: Skip the chicken and use veggie broth. Add chickpeas or tofu for protein.
- Rice alternatives: Use brown rice (adjust cooking time to 35-40 minutes) or cauliflower rice (add in the last 5-10 minutes).
- Crispy skin tip: For extra-crispy chicken skin, broil the cooked chicken for 2-3 minutes before serving.