Description
Savory herb chicken with basmati rice delivers a Mediterranean-inspired culinary journey through fresh ingredients and delicate flavor combinations. Fragrant herbs and tender chicken create a comforting meal that invites you to savor each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Rice:
- 1 cup basmati rice
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed chilies
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon basil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground fennel
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
Dairy and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1 cup milk (or buttermilk)
Water for boiling
Instructions
- Prepare basmati rice in a medium pot with salted water, following package instructions. Once cooked, gently fluff with a fork and keep warm.
- Create a robust spice blend by mixing paprika, cumin, oregano, crushed chilies, salt, and pepper. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in this aromatic seasoning mixture.
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium temperature. Sauté seasoned chicken for 6-8 minutes, ensuring golden brown exterior and complete internal cooking. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet, preserving the flavorful browned bits for enhancing sauce depth.
- In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. If using garlic, quickly sauté until fragrant. Add thyme, rosemary, basil, and ground fennel, allowing herbs to release their essential oils for approximately one minute.
- Incorporate cream cheese, stirring until it begins to melt. Gradually introduce milk or buttermilk, whisking continuously to create a silky, uniform sauce. Adjust consistency by adding additional liquid as needed.
- Reintroduce cooked chicken to the skillet, gently coating each piece with the herbaceous cream sauce. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize. Taste and fine-tune seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Elegantly plate basmati rice as a foundation, then generously ladle the creamy herb chicken overtop. Serve immediately to preserve optimal temperature and texture.
Notes
- Spice Flexibility: Adjust the spice blend based on personal preference or dietary needs, swapping out chilies for milder options or using alternative herbs like parsley or dill.
- Protein Swap: Easily substitute chicken with tofu, turkey, or fish to create diverse meal variations while maintaining the creamy herb sauce’s delicious flavor profile.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace cream cheese and milk with coconut cream or cashew-based alternatives to make the recipe suitable for lactose-intolerant or vegan diets.
- Extra Flavor Boost: Toast whole spices briefly before grinding to intensify their aromatic qualities and add deeper complexity to the dish’s overall taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 511 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg