Turmeric Rice with Chicken and Peas
Turmeric rice with chicken is a delightful blend of fragrant basmati rice, tender chicken, and aromatic spices. This one-pot meal is flavorful and comforting, perfect for a cozy family dinner in less than 30 minutes. This dish’s vibrant colors and rich flavors will surely please both young and old alike.
As a child, coming home from school was always a special time, especially when the house was filled with the comforting aroma of turmeric rice with chicken. I remember the excitement of walking through the door and being greeted by the sight of my mom bustling around the kitchen, preparing our favorite meal.
Those afternoons spent enjoying my mom’s food are some of my most cherished memories, reminding me of the love and care she put into every meal she made for our family.
Why is this the best recipe?
- Flavorful Seasoning: The chicken is seasoned with a blend of spices, including turmeric and curry powder, giving it a rich and aromatic flavor profile.
- One-Pan Meal: This recipe is cooked in a single pan, making it easy to prepare and clean up afterward.
- Healthy Ingredients: It includes wholesome ingredients like chicken thighs, basmati rice, onions, garlic, peas, and cilantro, providing a balanced meal.
- Quick and Easy: With simple preparation steps, this dish can be ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Chicken Thighs: Provide a rich, juicy texture and flavor. Substitute with chicken breast if preferred, though thighs are more flavorful.
- Basmati Rice: Known for its fragrance and long, slender grains, it’s perfect for absorbing the flavors of the dish. Substitute with any long-grain white rice or even brown rice for a nuttier flavor and more fiber.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor. Substitute with shallots or leeks for a similar effect.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent, savory flavor. Substitute with garlic powder if fresh garlic is not available.
- Peas: Provide a pop of sweetness and color. Substitute with any other vegetable, like green beans or diced carrots.
- Cilantro: Adds a fresh, citrusy note. Substitute with parsley if you’re not a fan of cilantro.
- Turmeric Powder: Gives the dish its vibrant yellow color and earthy flavor. Substitute with curry powder if needed, but the flavor profile will be slightly different.
- Curry Powder: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor. Substitute with a mix of cumin, coriander, and turmeric if curry powder is unavailable.
- Salt and Pepper: Season the dish and enhance its flavors. Adjust according to your taste.
- Chicken Broth: Adds depth and richness to the dish. Substitute with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and adds a fruity flavor. Substitute with any other cooking oil, like vegetable or canola oil.
Step-by-step: Turmeric Rice with Chicken
- Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and curry powder. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken pieces until golden brown on all sides. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- In the same pan, add the remaining olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute. Stir in the rice, peas, cilantro, turmeric powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Return the seared chicken pieces to the pan. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and serve hot.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can make this dish ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Yes, you can use brown rice instead of basmati rice. However, brown rice will take longer to cook and may require more liquid.
Yes, you can use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs. However, chicken thighs tend to be more flavorful and juicier.
Yes, you can make this dish vegetarian by omitting the chicken and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add more vegetables or tofu for protein.
Absolutely, you can add up to 1 cup of chopped carrots along with peas or potatoes, just as we did in my vegetable rice pilaf. Make sure they are diced small, so they cook at the same time as the rice.
Video
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) Chicken boneless
- 1 cup (200 g) Rice basmati
- 1 small Onion chopped
- 3 small Garlic cloves minced
- 2 tsp Curry powder
- 1 tsp Turmeric powder
- ½ cup Green peas frozen
- 1 tbsp Olive oil cooking
- ¼ cup Herbs fresh cilantro or parsley
- 1½ cups (350 ml) Chicken stock
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper powder
Method
- Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and curry powder. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken pieces until golden brown on all sides. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.1 lb Chicken, 2 tsp Curry powder, 1 tsp Salt, ½ tsp Black pepper powder
- In the same pan, add the remaining olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute. Stir in the rice, peas, cilantro, turmeric powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.1 cup Rice, 1 small Onion, 3 small Garlic cloves, 1 tsp Turmeric powder, ½ cup Green peas, 1 tbsp Olive oil, ¼ cup Herbs
- Return the seared chicken pieces to the pan. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.1½ cups Chicken stock
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and serve hot.
Notes
- Rinse the Rice: Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. This will help prevent the rice from becoming sticky.
- Sear the Chicken: Searing the chicken before cooking it with the rice adds flavor and helps to keep it juicy.
- Use Fresh Spices: Freshly ground spices like turmeric and curry powder will provide the best flavor. If using older spices, consider increasing the quantity slightly to compensate for any loss of potency.
- Don’t Overcook the Rice: Keep an eye on the rice as it cooks to ensure it doesn’t overcook and become mushy. The rice should be tender but still have a slight bite to it.
- Let it Rest: Once the rice is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and absorb any excess moisture.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dish before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or spices to suit your taste.
- Garnish: Garnish the dish with additional chopped cilantro or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a burst of freshness and flavor.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
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A lovely straightforward, one pot wonder recipe!
Similar to Ash I added 1tsp garlic/ginger paste, and substituted cayenne for curry powder. Also didn’t bother to cook the chicken separately, simply added it to the onion once it had softened. Forgot the turmeric ?♂️
S
Wow! This was SO GOOD. I added a tbsp of fresh minced ginger with the garlic and turmeric and it was so yummy. The chicken was so moist and the rice was perfect. Had sautéed garlic zucchini and brussel sprouts on the side and it paired very well. Thank you <3
Thanks, Ash. Happy you enjoyed it
I just found your site during this covid crisis and I have made your Pain de mie and now this and I’m so happy to have found you!! I read through all your spice tutorials and am loving the blends I’ve made! Also my 19 month old baby devoured this meal and my four year old kept asking what restaurant I got this from ?
Aww Sherstin. You just made my day. Welcome to my blog and thank you for such a lovely comment. My kids love this turmeric rice with chicken as well as this one coconut turmeric rice with peas. It was their one favorite when they were toddlers. I think its the wonderful coconut cream that is so appealing to them.
This turmeric chicken with rice and peas looks like a delicious weeknight dinner that would work equally well for meal prep during the week or even freeze well if I wanted to make a double batch. I’ve got all the ingredients for it on hand right now too. So glad I found this!
Thank you, Jenni. Absolutely. Let me know how it goes.
This perfect, we all love curry in this house, except my 11yr old daughter, she normally makes me wash curry sauce off the chicken after I cooked it!!
Well, we had this yesterday for dinner and to my surprise, she didn’t ask me to wash the chicken spices off!! SO happy!
Thank you, Kay. So happy your daughter loved this recipe as well. My kids feast on Indian food. Thanks for coming back to write this feedback
Hmm yum! I am definitely going to add this Turmeric Rice with Chicken and Peas onour menu this week. My family will surely love this yummy recipe.
Thank you, Maggie, I think your family will love this one.
I am saving this for tomorrow night’s meal. I love rice and chicken dishes!
Thank you, Jacqui. let me know how it was
I tried the recipe this week and it was a huge success with Hubby. I wasn’t certain about the turmeric rice but everything came together beautifully and the combination is one we’ll make again..
Thank you, Marisa. So happy you enjoyed this so much. Thank you for coming back to write this feedback
You had my attention with done in 20 minutes. This turmeric rice with chicken and peas will make a great balanced meal for busy weeknights.
Thank you, Kelly. I hope you try this soon.