Dairy-Free Savory Meat and Rice Pilaf

Experience comfort food at its finest with this Dairy-Free Savory Meat and Rice Pilaf, a one-pan wonder that’s both flavorful and wholesome. Tender, golden-browned chicken thighs are nestled into a bed of aromatic long-grain rice, infused with the warm spices of cumin and coriander, and perfectly balanced by the natural sweetness of sautéed carrots, celery, and onion. Simmered in a rich chicken broth, this dish delivers incredible depth of flavor without any dairy, making it ideal for those with dietary restrictions. Finished with a garnish of fresh parsley for a pop of brightness, this pilaf is the ultimate blend of hearty and healthy. Quick to prepare and designed to please, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner option or a satisfying addition to any family gathering.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 500 grams boneless chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and black pepper.

Step 2

Add the chicken to the pan and brown on both sides until nicely colored, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pan, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, diced carrot, and diced celery. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the long-grain white rice, letting it toast with the vegetables for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Step 5

Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaf, ground cumin, and ground coriander. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Return the chicken thighs to the pan, nestling them into the rice mixture.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Let it simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.

Step 8

Remove the pan from heat and allow it to rest, covered, for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Step 9

Remove the bay leaf before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1898.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1667.1

Total Fat 80.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 433.3mg	0%
Sodium 4506.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 118.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.5g	0%
Total Sugars 13.5g
Protein 122.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 328.4mg	0%
Iron 14.5mg	0%
Potassium 2619.1mg	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: 42.9%

Protein: 29.1%

Carbs: 28.0%