There is nothing that can beat the taste of a home cooked meal. One such dish that has been often prepared in my household is a chicken and rice recipe. Chicken being a rich source of high quality protein with low calories , low sodium and low fat content is a great ingredient which has been prepared in many tantalising ways unimaginable all over the world. It is the centre of the plate for folks that wants to strengthen their muscles & bones on top of the improved brain function and overall health it provides.

Rice on the other hand is a rich source of carbohydrates and provides more than 15 essential nutrients. Chicken combined with rice is a healthy meal combination which is nutritious, easy to prepare and promotes the feeling of fullness.

Easy Chicken and Rice Recipe

The simple chicken and rice recipe prepared at my house is relatively easy to prepare and can be customised to anyones taste and liking. So, lets get started with the recepie that brings a touch of nostalgia to the kitchen everytime it is prepared.

Ingridents for Chicken prepration

1. Mustard Oil :- 100ml
2. Bay leaf (tej patta) :- 3-4 leaves
3. Cardamom (elaichi) :- 4-5 pods
4. Cinnamon (dal chini) :- Half stick
5. Cumin seeds (zeera) :- Half tablespoon
6. Coriander seeds (dhaniya):- Half tablespoon
7. Red chilli powder :- 1 Tablespoon
8. Turmeric powder :- Half tablespoon
9. Corinder powder:- 3/4 tablespoon
10. Salt :- As per taste
11. Onion paste :- 500-600gm
12. Ginger-garlic paste :- 50gm
13. Green chillies :- 100gm
14. Tomatoes :- 400gm
15. Chicken:- 1 kg

Steps involved in chicken prepration

1. First take 100 ml mustard oil in a pot and start the stove at medium flame.
2. When the oil is slightly hot add bay leaf, cardamom, cumin seeds and coriander seeds one at a time to the pot all the while stirring the spices with a ladle.
3. When the spices has turned brown add the ginger garlic paste, onion paste & green chillies and stir slowly untill the paste turns golden.
4. To it add the tomato paste/ puree and let it cook until the mixture releases the oil.
5. Add in the spices like turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powde, salt with half cup of water to the pot.
6. Let it cook for 4-5 minutes or until the spices blends in.
7. Add the washed chicken peices to the pot with 2-3 cups of water and mix well so that the peices are well dipped in the prepared gravy.
8. Let it simmer in the covered pot for 30-40 minutes or until cooked well on medium flame.
9. Make sure that the chicken and the gravy are mixed well before turning off the flame.

Preparation of rice for chicken

To a pot add 1-2 tablespoon mustard oil. To it add one teaspoon of cumin seeds. When cumin seeds slightly golden add 250gm of washed rice in the pot. Stir well before adding required water to the pot. Let it cook untill the grains of rice becomes fluffy. As soon as the rice becomes cooked drain the excess water using a large strainer and keep the rice in a pot half lid open.

When both the chicken and rice is ready, serve it on a plate and enjoy a hearty and delicious meal.