SAEDNEWS: Dill rice with chicken is a type of mixed rice dish made by combining rice with chicken, fresh dill, and other ingredients. It is very delicious and nutritious.
According to Saed News’ cooking section, mixed rice dishes hold a special place in Iranian cuisine. Dishes such as baghali polo (fava bean rice), cabbage rice, carrot rice, sweet rice, raisin rice, jeweled rice, and others are popular choices at gatherings and celebrations. With a bit of meat, chicken, or vegetables, you can always get creative and prepare a delicious mixed rice dish.
Today’s recipe is Dill Rice with Chicken, a delightful combination of rice with chicken, dill, saffron, and tomato paste. If you are tired of repetitive meals for your family, this flavorful and nutritious dish is a great option to try.
Chicken breast: 1 piece
Onion: 1 medium
Garlic: 1 clove
Fresh chopped dill: 2 cups
Rice: 3 cups
Oil: as needed
Brewed saffron: as needed
Tomato paste: 2 tablespoons
Salt and turmeric: as needed
Potato (for tahdig/crust): 1 piece
Start by rinsing the rice and soaking it in lukewarm water with some salt. Let it rest for about 4 hours.
In a pot, cook the chicken breast with onion, salt, turmeric, garlic, and enough water until fully cooked. Once done, cut the chicken into large pieces and set aside.
In a pan, heat some oil and add the tomato paste along with a little salt. Sauté for about 30 seconds to remove the raw taste of the paste. Add the cooked chicken pieces and stir-fry them with the paste. Then add the chopped dill and finally drizzle in some brewed saffron. Turn off the heat.
Cook the soaked rice in boiling salted water and drain it when partially cooked.
In a pot, add oil, sliced potatoes, and a little saffron to form the crispy bottom layer (tahdig). Then layer half of the drained rice, followed by the chicken and dill mixture. Add the remaining rice on top.
Drizzle more saffron and a bit of oil over the rice. Cover the pot with a lid wrapped in a towel and let it steam on low heat for about 45 minutes.
Your fragrant and delicious dill rice with chicken is now ready to serve. Enjoy!
After washing the rice, soak it in warm water with salt. The water should be slightly saltier than usual. Let the rice soak for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight for better texture.
To boil the rice, fill a pot about two-thirds with water and bring it to a boil. Add salt, then drain the soaked rice and add it to the boiling water.
Keep the heat medium to high and do not cover the pot. Once the water returns to a boil, gently stir the rice a few times to separate the grains, taking care not to break them.
Rice typically needs 10 to 14 minutes of boiling, depending on the type. It is ready to drain when the grains are soft on the outside but still slightly firm in the center.
After draining, you can rinse the rice with cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess salt. This helps prevent the rice from becoming too salty.
For fluffier rice, you may add a small glass of cold water once the rice starts boiling. Add it gently from the sides of the pot rather than directly in the center to create a thermal shock that helps the grains expand better.
