Description
Succulent creamy herb chicken & basmati rice delivers Mediterranean comfort with elegantly blended spices and fresh ingredients. Rich herbal notes and tender chicken promise a delightful culinary journey that satisfies both palate and soul.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup basmati rice (uncooked)
- 1 cup milk or buttermilk
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese
Herbs and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon basil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground fennel
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed chilies
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
Cooking Fats:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Water (as per package instructions)
Instructions
- Prepare rice by thoroughly rinsing basmati under cold water until liquid becomes transparent, ensuring removal of excess starch.
- Cook rice according to package guidance, allowing grains to become fluffy and tender, then set aside in a warm location.
- Create a robust spice blend combining paprika, cumin, oregano, crushed chilies, salt, and pepper in a mixing vessel.
- Massage spice mixture thoroughly into chicken pieces, guaranteeing comprehensive and even coating.
- Warm butter in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, creating a golden cooking surface.
- Carefully introduce seasoned chicken, allowing pieces to transform into a rich golden-brown exterior while maintaining internal moisture.
- Cook chicken approximately 6-8 minutes, periodically rotating to ensure uniform browning and complete internal cooking.
- Extract chicken from pan, preserving precious caramelized remnants and minimal rendering for enhanced sauce development.
- Introduce remaining butter into the skillet, creating a luxurious foundation for aromatics.
- Quickly sauté garlic until fragrant, releasing its intense essence into the cooking environment.
- Incorporate thyme, rosemary, basil, and ground fennel, gently toasting to amplify their complex herbal notes.
- Gradually integrate cream cheese, stirring consistently until smooth transformation begins.
- Stream milk or buttermilk into the developing sauce, whisking continuously to create a velvety, cohesive mixture.
- Adjust liquid ratio to achieve desired sauce consistency, ensuring neither too thin nor overly dense texture.
- Reintroduce cooked chicken into herbal cream sauce, allowing ingredients to harmonize and intermingle.
- Simmer fusion for 3-5 minutes, permitting flavors to meld and intensify.
- Perform final seasoning assessment, adding salt and pepper as necessary to elevate overall taste profile.
- Present chicken atop fluffy basmati rice, creating an elegant, aromatic culinary composition.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh herb sprinkles for visual and flavor enhancement.
Notes
- Rinse rice thoroughly to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy and separated grains.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming.
- Use fresh herbs when possible for more vibrant and intense flavor profiles.
- Adapt the recipe for dietary needs by substituting dairy-free alternatives like coconut milk or cashew cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 90mg