Chicken Over Rice
Craving chicken over rice like your favorite street cart? This easy recipe brings all the bold flavors, juicy marinated chicken, golden turmeric rice, and creamy white sauce, right to your kitchen. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep!
Equipment
- Skillet
- Saucepan
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 2 cloves garlic grated or minced
- 2 tbsp neutral oil such as canola or grapeseed
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Yellow Rice
- 1 cup basmati rice rinsed
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 shallot finely chopped
- 2 cardamom pods lightly crushed
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 2 cups chicken stock
White Sauce
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sugar optional
Optional Red Hot Sauce
- 2 tbsp harissa or sriracha
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Pinch of cayenne optional
For Serving
- chopped fresh tomatoes
- finely shredded lettuce
- soft, warm pita bread for scooping
Instructions
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped shallot and sauté until translucent. Add cardamom pods and turmeric; cook for 1 minute. Stir in rinsed rice and cook for another minute. Pour in chicken stock, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- While rice is cooking, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes per side. Let rest for a few minutes, then chop into bite-size pieces.
- In a bowl, mix together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, black pepper, and optional sugar to make the white sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Mix all red sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Adjust spice level to taste.
- To serve, plate a generous scoop of yellow rice, top with chopped chicken, fresh tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and drizzle with white sauce. Serve warm pita on the side.
Notes
Make it your own! Add hot sauce for a spicy kick, or swap out the chicken for grilled lamb or falafel for a vegetarian twist.
