Are you craving a delicious meal but do not want to spend 2 hours in the kitchen? This Quick Chicken Rice Recipe is exactly what you need! Inspired by authentic Maharashtrian flavours, this easy chicken rice is a life-saver for busy weeknights. It uses 150 grams of chicken, leftover cooked basmati rice, and basic pantry spices to create a mouth-watering dish in under 30 minutes. Whether you are a beginner or a bachelor, this simple Quick Chicken Rice Recipe guarantees maximum flavour with minimal effort. Let’s dive into the ingredients and see how you can make this tasty 1-pot meal at home today!
Also Read: Quick And Easy Egg Rice Recipe | Indian Style Anda Bhaat
Ingredients List
- 150 grams chicken (boneless or small pieces with bone)
- 1 cup pre-cooked basmati rice
- 1/2 tomato, chopped
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 2 green chillies, slit into 4 pieces
- 2 small bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder (coarsely ground)
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh curd (not sour)
- 1 teaspoon crushed ginger, garlic, and green chilli paste
- 1 teaspoon cooking oil (for pan)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
Step-by-step Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In 1 mixing bowl, add 150 grams of chicken pieces, 1/2 chopped tomato, 1 small onion, 2 green chillies, and 2 bay leaves.
- Add Spices: Mix in 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder, and salt.
- Mix Curd and Paste: Add 1 tablespoon fresh curd, 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic-chilli paste, and some chopped coriander. Mix everything well.
- Rest the Meat: Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes to make the Quick Chicken Rice Recipe juicy.
- Heat Oil and Butter: Heat 1 pan on medium flame. Add 1 teaspoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Let the butter melt.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the marinated chicken to the pan. Sauté for 2 minutes on medium heat.
- Simmer: Cover with a lid and cook on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add Rice: Once the chicken is tender, gently add your pre-cooked basmati rice.
- Toss and Garnish: Toss everything gently on medium heat for 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh coriander, mix for another 2 minutes, and turn off the heat.
Also Read: The Best Easy Indian Mushroom Rice Recipe At Home
Cooking Tips
- Use cold, leftover rice instead of hot rice so the grains stay separate.
- Keep the flame low while covering the chicken to ensure the spices do not burn.
- Do not use sour curd, as it will change the taste of your Quick Chicken Rice Recipe.
- Add 1 teaspoon of warm oil into the marinade for extra softness.
Variations
- Spicy Version: Add 1 extra teaspoon of red chilli powder or 2 extra chopped green chillies.
- Egg Version: Replace chicken with 3 boiled eggs cut into halves.
- Veggie Loaded: Add 1/2 cup of green peas and chopped carrots during the cooking stage.
- Vegan Version: Swap chicken with 150 grams of tofu, and replace butter with vegan cooking oil.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this piping hot rice with cooling cucumber raita.
- Pair it with crispy roasted papad and onion slices.
- Enjoy it with traditional Maharashtrian peanut garlic dry chutney.
Also Read: Healthy Quick Matki Bhaat Recipe: The Perfect Tiffin Box Lunch
FAQs
Q1: Can I use leftover rice for this Quick Chicken Rice Recipe?
Ans: Yes! Leftover, cooled rice is actually the best choice because the grains remain non-sticky.
Q2: How long should I marinate the chicken?
Ans: Marinate for at least 30 minutes. If you are in a hurry, 10 to 15 minutes will also work fine.
Q3: Which rice is best for this recipe?
Ans: Basmati rice gives a restaurant-style feel, but you can use any daily rice.
Q4: Can I skip the butter in this Quick Chicken Rice Recipe?
Ans: You can skip the butter and use 2 tablespoons of regular oil, though butter adds rich flavour.
Q5: Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Ans: Yes, to make it kid-friendly, skip the green chillies and reduce the red chilli powder to 1/4 teaspoon.
1-Pot Quick Chicken Rice Recipe for Beginners
Ingredients
- 150 grams chicken boneless or small pieces with bone
- 1 cup pre-cooked basmati rice
- 1/2 tomato chopped
- 1 small onion sliced
- 2 green chillies slit into 4 pieces
- 2 small bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder coarsely ground
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh curd not sour
- 1 teaspoon crushed ginger garlic, and green chilli paste
- 1 teaspoon cooking oil for pan
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves chopped
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In 1 mixing bowl, add 150 grams of chicken pieces, 1/2 chopped tomato, 1 small onion, 2 green chillies, and 2 bay leaves.
- Add Spices: Mix in 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder, and salt.
- Mix Curd and Paste: Add 1 tablespoon fresh curd, 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic-chilli paste, and some chopped coriander. Mix everything well.
- Rest the Meat: Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes to make the Quick Chicken Rice Recipe juicy.
- Heat Oil and Butter: Heat 1 pan on medium flame. Add 1 teaspoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Let the butter melt.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the marinated chicken to the pan. Sauté for 2 minutes on medium heat.
- Simmer: Cover with a lid and cook on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add Rice: Once the chicken is tender, gently add your pre-cooked basmati rice.
- Toss and Garnish: Toss everything gently on medium heat for 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh coriander, mix for another 2 minutes, and turn off the heat.
