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Middle Eastern Chicken and rice dinner

Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice Dinner

marilynpeight
Juicy chicken on a bed of flavorful cashew rice, just like the chicken and rice we were served in the middle east!
5 from 3 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 5

Equipment

  • Large non-stick skillet (linked below)
  • 3 quart sauce pan (linked below)
  • tongs (linked below)

Ingredients
  

Chicken:

  • 5 large chicken thighs (bone in)
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil

Chicken seasoning blend:

  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried dill (optional)
  • 1/3 teaspoon yellow curry powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon paprika

Cashew raisin rice:

  • 1 cup long grain jasmine rice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 3/4 cup yellow raisins (golden raisins)
  • 1/2 cup cashews or peanuts
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken broth

Instructions
 

  • Bring water and salt to a boil. Add chicken thighs and lower heat to medium-low. Partially cover the chicken and allow to simmer for 50-60 minutes. Once chicken is cooked through, remove from heat, then strain and reserve 2 1/2 cups of the broth for later.
  • Fry rice in one tablespoon of olive oil, until it is opaque and starting to brown. Stir in seasonings and raisins, then add reserved chicken broth. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium and allow the rice to simmer for 15 minutes uncovered. After 15 minutes, stir in the cashews and cover the rice, then reduce heat to medium-low and allow to cook for another 15 minutes until rice is soft and has soaked up all the water.
  • While the rice is cooking, heat another tablespoon of olive oil in a non-stick skillet or wok, then add the chicken and season with 1/2 of the seasoning mixture. Fry for a few minutes until nicely browned, then flip with tongs and season with the rest of the seasoning mixture. Fry for a minute or two more, then remove from heat.
  • Fluff cooked rice with a fork, then transfer to a plate or serving platter. Spread the rice out to create a flat surface and then top with cooked chicken. Optional: Serve with na-an, fresh veggies, and plain yogurt!
Keyword Middle eastern, Cashew raisin rice, Middle eastern chicken
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