Description
A vibrant, aromatic one-pan meal featuring tender tandoori-spiced chicken thighs nestled in fragrant basmati rice with caramelized onions and warm spices. This simplified version delivers authentic Indian flavors with minimal cleanup!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 cup basmati rice, rinsed
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp tandoori masala
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 tbsp ghee or vegetable oil
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cardamom pods
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro and lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Mix yogurt with 1 tbsp tandoori masala, ½ tsp salt. Coat chicken and refrigerate 1 hour (or overnight).
- Sear Chicken: Heat ghee in large skillet over medium-high. Remove excess marinade from chicken and sear skin-side down 5-6 mins until golden. Flip and cook 2 mins. Remove.
- Cook Aromatics: In same pan, sauté onions 5 mins until soft. Add garlic, ginger, remaining spices, and whole spices; cook 1 min until fragrant.
- Layer Rice: Add rice, stirring to coat with spices. Pour in broth and scrape up browned bits. Nestle chicken on top (skin up).
- Simmer: Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook 25 mins (no peeking!).
- Rest: Remove from heat; let stand 10 mins. Discard whole spices.
- Serve: Garnish with cilantro and lemon. Optional: Broil 2 mins for crispier skin.
Notes
- For deeper color: Add ½ tsp paprika to marinade
- Vegetarian option: Substitute chicken with cauliflower and paneer
- Rice tip: Soak basmati 30 mins for extra-long grains
- Make ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours
- Leftovers: Reheat with splash of water to refresh moisture
- Prep Time: 15 mins (+ marinating)
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pan
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 thigh + rice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 125mg