A South Asian rice dish layered with yogurt-marinated chicken, basmati, saffron, and spice, aromatic from the moment the lid lifts.
40 min prep 45 min cook 95 min rest
Keeps the screen on · step-by-step guide · built-in timer
Cut the chicken thighs into 3 to 4 cm pieces. Mix with yogurt, crushed ginger, garam masala, salt, and 1 tablespoon oil, then marinate for at least 1 hour, or overnight if possible.
Slice the onions into thin half-moons and fry in the remaining oil for 8 to 10 minutes, until golden brown. Reserve half for topping.
Add the marinated chicken to half of the fried onions and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, until the surfaces are sealed.
Soak the basmati rice in warm water for 30 minutes and drain. Add the whole spices to boiling salted water, cook the rice for 6 to 7 minutes until 70 percent done, then drain.
Spread the chicken and onion mixture in the bottom of a wide pot. Layer the parboiled rice over it, then scatter over the reserved fried onions and saffron water.
Seal the lid tightly, using dough if needed, and steam over low heat for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat, keep covered for 5 minutes, fluff with a fork, and serve.
💡 Tip: Drain the rice when it is only about 70 percent cooked; it finishes steaming with the chicken. Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour, or overnight for deeper flavor.
🍽️ Serving suggestion: Serve with yogurt raita, chopped cilantro, and toasted almond flakes.
Approximate vitamin / mineral assessment based on the recipe's ingredients. For precise nutrition tracking, consult a doctor or dietitian.
~540
kcal calories
28
g protein
58
g carbs
18
g fat
3.2g
Sugar
1.2g
Fiber
1281mg
Sodium
5.7g
Saturated fat
⚠️ Nutrition data match is limited for this recipe (50%); values are estimates.
Approximate values, derived from ingredient amounts using USDA FoodData Central and TÜBİTAK Turkish Food Composition Database. Actual values can vary by roughly ±20% depending on cooking method, brand, and portion size. For diet or medical conditions, consult a dietitian or doctor.
Strong satiety, counts as a main meal
Allergens are derived automatically from the ingredient list, covering the main groups of the EU-14 food allergen standard (gluten, milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, seafood, sesame, celery, mustard). Cross-contamination (shared kitchen equipment, shared surfaces) isn't tracked, if you have a serious allergy, review the full ingredient list yourself and ask about preparation.
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