SAEDNEWS: Dill Pilaf with Chicken is a type of mixed pilaf made by combining rice with chicken, fresh dill, and other ingredients. It is very delicious and nutritious.
According to SAEDNEWS, mixed pilafs hold a special place in the Iranian food table. Fava bean pilaf, cabbage pilaf, carrot pilaf, sweet pilaf, raisin pilaf, jeweled pilaf, and more are some types of mixed pilafs that have their own fans at gatherings. You can always get creative with a little meat, chicken, and vegetables to make a delicious mixed pilaf. The mixed pilaf recipe we want to share with you today is Dill Pilaf with Chicken, which is a dreamy combination of rice with chicken, dill, saffron, tomato paste, and more. If you're tired of making repetitive meals for your family members, definitely follow along with the recipe for this delicious and nutritious Dill Pilaf with Chicken.
Ingredients: | |
Chicken breast | 1 piece |
Onion | 1 piece |
Garlic | 1 clove |
Fresh dill, chopped | 2 cups |
Rice | 3 cups |
Oil | as needed |
Brewed saffron | as needed |
Tomato paste | 2 tablespoons |
Salt and turmeric | as needed |
Potato for the crust (tahdig) | 1 piece |
How to Make Dill Pilaf with Chicken:
To make this delicious chicken pilaf, first, soak the rice in warm water with a little salt and set it aside for 4 hours.
Next, place the chicken breast with the onion, salt, turmeric, and garlic into a pot, add water, and cook the chicken on the stove. Once the chicken is cooked, cut it into large pieces and set it aside.
In a pan, add some oil, then add the tomato paste and salt. Sauté the paste for about 30 seconds. Now, add the cooked and chopped chicken and sauté it with the tomato paste. Then, add the chopped dill, and finally, add some brewed saffron on top of the mixture. Turn off the stove.
Rinse the rice and drain it. In the bottom of the pot, add a little oil, potato slices, and saffron. Then, add half of the drained rice to the pot and spread the chicken and dill mixture on top. Add the rest of the rice on top of the chicken. Drizzle some more saffron and oil on the surface of the rice, cover with a lid, and steam the rice for 45 minutes.
Now, your Dill Pilaf with Chicken is ready to be served. Enjoy!
Important Tips: To rinse the rice, after washing it, add warm water and salt. The salt should be slightly more than usual. Let the rice soak for a few hours. It’s best to soak the rice for at least 3 hours to achieve better quality. If you have time, soak the rice the night before. For boiling the rice, fill the pot with water up to two-thirds and place it on heat. Add salt to the water, then bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, drain the water that the rice soaked in, and add the soaked rice to the boiling water.
The boiling temperature of the rice should be high, with the flame being medium-high. Do not cover the pot, and wait until the water boils again. Once the water is boiling, stir the rice gently a few times, ensuring the grains don’t break. The rice should cook for about 10 to 14 minutes, depending on the type of rice.
When the rice is ready to be drained, it should be soft but still firm in the middle. After draining the rice, let all the water drain completely. Then, pour cold water on top of the rice to stop the cooking process and remove any excess salt from between the grains to prevent the rice from being too salty.
If you want the rice to stretch more, once the rice starts boiling, add a small cup of cold water. This helps the rice grow longer. Be careful not to add the cold water in the middle of the rice but rather around the edges.
