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Halal chicken and rice bowl with golden basmati rice, grilled chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and sauces, Serious Eats style

Serious Eats Chicken and Rice

Serious Eats Chicken and Rice is a flavorful street-food–inspired dish made with spiced chicken, golden rice, and creamy white sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, this recipe brings bold flavor and comfort to your table. Make it at home today and enjoy the taste of NYC’s most iconic street cart meal!

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 4

Ingredients

Scale

For the chicken:

  • 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander

  • 1 teaspoon paprika

  • ½ teaspoon turmeric

  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • Juice of 1 lemon

For the rice:

  • 2 cups basmati rice, rinsed and soaked 20 minutes

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin

  • 4 cups chicken broth

  • Salt, to taste

For the white sauce:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise

  • ½ cup Greek yogurt

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For serving:

  • 1 head romaine lettuce, shredded

  • 2 tomatoes, diced

  • Warm pita bread or flatbread

Instructions

  1. Marinate Chicken:
    In a bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cayenne, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Add chicken thighs, coat well, and marinate at least 30 minutes.

  2. Cook Chicken:
    Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes per side. Rest, then chop into bite-sized pieces.

  3. Make the Rice:
    Melt butter in a saucepan. Add turmeric and cumin, stir for 1 minute. Add rice, coat in spices, then pour in chicken broth and salt. Bring to boil, reduce to low, cover, and cook for 18 minutes. Rest 5 minutes before fluffing.

  4. Prepare White Sauce:
    In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth. Chill until serving.

  5. Assemble the Dish:
    On a plate, arrange rice, chicken, shredded lettuce, and tomatoes. Drizzle with white sauce and serve with pita bread.

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs for juicier results, but breasts can be substituted.

  • Soak rice before cooking for a fluffy, non-sticky texture.

  • Add hot sauce or harissa for an authentic street cart kick.

  • Perfect for meal prep—pack in containers with rice, chicken, and sauce separately.

  • Author: SOFIA
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish, Dinner
  • Method: Skillet, One-Pot Rice
  • Cuisine: American, Middle Eastern-inspired
  • Diet: Halal

Find it online: https://www.fastzestyrecipes.com/serious-eats-chicken-and-rice/