Easy Chicken And Yellow Rice Recipe

Servings: 3 Total Time: 55 mins Difficulty: Intermediate
Flavorful Chicken and Yellow Rice Recipe
chicken and yellow rice recipe pinit

Welcome to another tasty dish of chicken and yellow rice recipe! This is one of the most loved foods in the world, combining flavourful rice, tender chicken pieces, and a few other delicious ingredients. Stay with us for the step-by-step process of making this mouthwatering recipe, perfect for dinner and lunch. Before stepping into the cooking method let’s discuss the amount of the ingredients required for this dish. The quantities listed here are for 3 servings, but you can adjust them according to your savings.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 kg chicken pieces:
  • Chicken is a great source of lean protein, essential for muscle repair and growth.
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice:
  • Rice is a rich carbohydrate that provides energy and is a key ingredient for this dish.
  • 3 cups chicken broth:
  • You can also use water, but broth enhances the taste of rice and keeps it moist.
  • 1 medium-sized chopped onion:
  • Onion adds a natural taste and deep flavor.
  • 1.5 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric:
  • Turmeric provides a vibrant yellow color to the rice and has anti-inflammatory properties.
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons peas (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional for garnish)

Cooking Instructions

Preparing the Chicken:

Apply salt, black pepper, and paprika to the chicken pieces. This spice mixture enhances the natural flavour of the chicken.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken pieces in the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

Cooking the Vegetables:

In the same skillet, add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the peppers are tender. This step creates a flavorful base for the rice.

Cooking the Rice:

Add the rice to the skillet and stir to mix with the vegetables. Toasting the rice slightly will add a nutty flavor.
Pour in the chicken broth, turmeric, and saffron (if using). Stir to combine all the ingredients.
Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and cover the skillet. Let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.

Combining and Finishing:

While the rice is cooking, slice the cooked chicken pieces into bite-sized pieces.
Once the rice is done, stir in the peas (if using) and add the sliced chicken back to the skillet. Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes to heat everything through.
Remove the skillet from the heat and leave it covered for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Your dish is now ready to serve! If desired, garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Nutritional Benefits

Every day we eat something but we don’t look at its benefits and drawbacks. Knowing about nutritional advantages and factors is important for health. Because of health issues, sometimes we need to avoid foods. Let’s see a few nutritional benefits of the main ingredients in this recipe. The chicken and yellow rice recipe is not only delicious but also offers numerous nutritional advantages.

Lean Protein: Chicken is a great source of lean protein, essential for muscle growth and repair.
Turmeric: Known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Garlic: Boosts the immune system and may help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Bell Pepper: Rich in vitamins C and A, supporting immune health and skin integrity.
Olive Oil: A healthy fat known for its heart-protective benefits.

Additional Tips

You can also use raw (uncooked) chicken pieces, which will save you extra cooking time.

In this recipe, we used already-cooked chicken pieces. Alternatively, you can use raw chicken pieces.
Add raw chicken pieces to the oil and spice mixture and mix well.
Cook the chicken with spices for about 5 minutes until fragrant.
Add water or chicken broth, stir well, and bring to a boil.
Pour in the rice, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes.
Once the water is absorbed, take it off the flame and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Variation

To cook a different dish, you can simply change some of the ingredients in the current Chicken and yellow rice recipe. The quantities will remain the same for 3 servings as in the above dish.

If you want to prepare a Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole Recipe use the below ingredients.

  • 1 teaspoon paprika (or use smoked paprika for a deeper flavor).
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or white pepper if you prefer).
  • Omit or use additional turmeric if you want to maintain the color.
  • 1/2 cup frozen or fresh vegetables (such as peas, corn, or diced bell peppers).
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or use cilantro or basil if you prefer).
  • 1 cup cream or milk (for creaminess; substitute with coconut milk or almond milk if dairy-free).
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (optional; substitute with dairy-free cheese or nutritional yeast if desired).

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:

  • Season and brown the chicken as per your original recipe. For the casserole, you’ll shred or dice the chicken after cooking.

Cook the Vegetables:

  • Use the same method to sauté the onions and garlic, and then add the vegetables.

Cook the Rice:

  • For Wild Rice: Add wild rice to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour in the broth, turmeric, and saffron if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 40-45 minutes until the rice is tender.

Combine and Assemble:

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice mixture with shredded chicken, cream or milk, and cheese if using. Mix well.
  • Transfer to a greased baking dish, spread evenly, and bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden.

Garnish and Serve:

  • Garnish with fresh parsley, cilantro, or basil to add a vibrant touch and enhance the flavor of your dish.

Easy Chicken And Yellow Rice Recipe

Discover the ultimate comfort food with this delicious Chicken and Yellow Rice recipe. Perfectly seasoned chicken pieces are cooked until golden brown and then combined with fragrant long-grain rice, vibrant turmeric, and savory chicken broth. This one-pan meal is not only easy to make but also packed with flavor. Ideal for a family dinner, it comes together quickly and is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Garnished with fresh parsley and optional peas, this dish is both nutritious and delicious.

Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 30 mins Rest Time 10 mins Total Time 55 mins Difficulty: Intermediate Cooking Temp: 200  °F Servings: 3 Estimated Cost: $ 8 Calories: 1900 for entire recipe Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Cooking Instructions

    Preparing the chicken:

    Apply salt, black pepper, and paprika to chicken pieces. This spice mixture enhances the chicken's natural flavor.
    Take a large skillet and heat olive oil over a medium-high flame. Add chicken pieces to it, and cook it for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown, on both sides. When cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and keep it aside.

    Cooking the vegetables:

    In the same skillet add chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Saute the vegetables until, about 5 minutes. And the onion becomes translucent, and the peppers should be tender. In this step, we prepared the tasty base for the rice.

    Cook the rice:

    Add the rice to the skillet and stir to mix with the mixture. Toasting the rice slightly will add a nutty flavor. Pour in the chicken broth, turmeric, and saffron (if using it). Stir to combine all the ingredients. Boil the mixture, reduce the heat to low, and cover the skillet with the lid.
    Let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed.

    Combine and Finish:

    While the rice is cooking, slice the cooked chicken pieces into bite-sized pieces. When the rice is done, stir in the frozen peas, (if you use them) and add the sliced chicken back to the skillet. Cover and cook it for an extra 5 minutes to heat everything through. Once your dish is ready, remove it from the heat and leave it covered for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavor to meld together.
    Now your dish is ready for serving. If desired garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

    We have mentioned some optional ingredients if these are available use it and enhance the flavour of the dish.
Nutrition Facts

Servings 3


Amount Per Serving
Calories 1900kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 96g148%
Saturated Fat 138g690%
Sodium 1200mg50%
Potassium 1300mg38%
Total Carbohydrate 277g93%
Sugars 4g
Protein 96g192%

Vitamin A 500 IU
Vitamin C 15 mg
Calcium 50 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Remember nutrition facts and values are for the entire cooked recipe. It is not for per serving.

Keywords: Chicken And Yellow Rice Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:
What is yellow rice made of?

Rice is not naturally yellow. The yellow color in yellow rice is typically achieved through the addition of ingredients such as turmeric or saffron during cooking:

  • Turmeric: This spice is the most common way to color rice yellow. It contains curcumin, which imparts a bright yellow hue and a slightly earthy flavor.
  • Saffron: This spice can also be used to give rice a yellow or golden color. Saffron is more expensive but provides a distinct flavor and a more subtle color compared to turmeric.

Why is it called yellow rice?

Yellow rice gets its name from its vibrant yellow color, which is typically achieved through the use of turmeric or saffron during cooking. These ingredients impart the yellow hue to the rice.

Which rice is healthiest?

  1. Brown rice is often considered the healthiest option due to its higher fiber content and greater nutrient profile compared to white rice.

     

  2. Wild rice and black rice are also very healthy options. Wild rice is high in protein and fiber, while black rice is rich in antioxidants and nutrients.

I am shani the mentor

Shani

Chef & Full time Blogger

Hi, I'm Shani, a full-time food blogger. I live in Pakistan with my family. Loves travelling, discovering new dishes, sharing new recipes, and spending time with my family.

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