Chicken and Almond Pilau

Elevate your weeknight dinners with this aromatic and hearty Chicken and Almond Pilau, a one-pot wonder bursting with fragrant spices and wholesome ingredients. Tender chicken thighs are simmered alongside golden basmati rice, infused with the warm flavors of cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Toasted almonds add a delightful crunch, while a touch of creamy yogurt lends richness to the dish. This recipe perfectly balances savory and nutty notes, topped off with fresh cilantro for a vibrant finish. Ready in under an hour, this easy-to-follow pilau recipe is perfect for creating a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that’s sure to impress. Grab your skillet and enjoy this flavorful combination of chicken, spices, and rice today!

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)
• 300 grams Basmati rice
• 1 large Onion (finely sliced)
• 2 Garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tablespoon Ginger (grated)
• 600 milliliters Chicken stock
• 50 grams Almonds (blanched and toasted)
• 100 grams Yogurt (plain, unsweetened)
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 1 Cinnamon stick
• 4 Cardamom pods
• 4 Cloves
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Wash and rinse the basmati rice in cold water until the water runs clear, then soak it in fresh water for 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 3

Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, bay leaf, and cumin seeds. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the sliced onion to the pot and sauté for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, and turmeric powder. Cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.

Step 6

Add the chicken pieces to the pot, stirring well to coat them in the spices. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the yogurt. Cook for 2 minutes while mixing continuously to prevent curdling.

Step 8

Add the drained rice to the pot and gently mix to ensure the rice is evenly coated with the spices and chicken.

Step 9

Pour in the chicken stock, add the salt and pepper, and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 10

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for 15-18 minutes until the rice is tender and the stock is fully absorbed.

Step 11

Turn off the heat and let the pilau rest for 5 minutes, keeping the lid on.

Step 12

Fluff the rice gently with a fork and stir in the toasted almonds. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.

Step 13

Serve hot and enjoy your Chicken and Almond Pilau!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1825.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2321.7

Total Fat 120.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g
Cholesterol 594mg	0%
Sodium 3074.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 132.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.4g	0%
Total Sugars 17.6g
Protein 181.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 588.9mg	0%
Iron 20.0mg	0%
Potassium 2476.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.4%

Protein: 31.0%

Carbs: 22.6%