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Halal-Inspired Chicken and Rice Skillet served in bowls with toppings.
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4.92 from 45 votes

Halal-Inspired Chicken and Rice Skillet

Total Time50 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Author: Alex Snodgrass

Ingredients

For the Chicken and Rice Skillet:

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup finely diced yellow onion (about ½ an onion)
  • 1 cup basmati white rice, rinsed until the water runs clear
  • Zest of ½ lemon
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley

For the White Sauce:

  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/3 cup mayo
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon cane sugar (sub coconut sugar)
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon minced parsley leaves

Optional, For Serving:

  • 2 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
  • Warm pita bread
  • Sriracha

Instructions

Make the Chicken and Rice Skillet:

  • In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, oregano, coriander, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • Pat the chicken dry then season both sides of the chicken with 2 tablespoons of the spice mixture, reserving the rest for the rice.
  • Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the chicken in a single layer and cook on both sides until a golden-brown crust forms, 2 to 3 minutes per side. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked yet. Set the browned chicken on a clean plate and set aside.
  • Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter and let melt. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until they begin to soften, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the rice and toss to combine. Stir in the remaining spice mixture and lemon zest. Cook, stirring, to toast the rice and spices, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the lemon juice, chicken broth, and parsley and stir to combine. Bring to a rapid simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to a light simmer and nestle the chicken and any of its juices back into the skillet. Cover and cook, simmering lightly, for 20 minutes. Remove from heat but keep the cover on and allow the rice to steam for another 5 more minutes.

Make the White Sauce:

  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together the white sauce ingredients. Set aside.

Serve:

  • To serve, ladle the chicken and rice in a shallow bowl. Add some shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, a drizzle of the white sauce, and a drizzle of sriracha. Serve with warm pita and enjoy!