Halal Cart Chicken and Rice

Description

Fluffy, yellow rice accompanied by juicy, perfectly spiced chicken, and salad, all smothered in a creamy white sauce.

Ingredients
    White Sauce
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp water
  • Chicken
  • 2 lb chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
  • 3 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp for cooking
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp 7 spice or allspice
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic, grated
  • Yellow Rice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp 7 spice or allspice
  • 2 cups basmati rice, washed thoroughly until water runs clear
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 4 cups water
  • Toppings
  • lettuce, shredded
  • tomatoes, diced
  • cucumbers, diced
Instructions
  1. 1
    Make the white sauce

    In a bowl, thoroughly whisk together the plain yogurt, mayonnaise, grated garlic, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Add the water and whisk (add enough water so that the sauce becomes easily pourable). Keep in the fridge until ready to use. You can transfer to a squirt bottle if desired. 

  2. 2
    Marinate the chicken

    In a large bowl, add the chicken, 3 tbsp olive oil, salt, black pepper, ground cumin, 7 spice or allspice, turmeric, dried oregano, paprika, lemon juice, and grated garlic. Mix together very well, until all the chicken pieces are coated evenly with the spices. Cover and let marinate in the fridge until ready to use. 

  3. 3
    Cook the rice

    Heat a heavy bottom pot over medium heat. Once hot, add olive oil. Add the turmeric, ground cumin, and 7 spice or allspice. Toast the spices, mixing constantly, for 1 minute. 

  4. 4

    Once the spices are fragrant, add the rice and toast for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the salt, black pepper, and dried oregano and stir well. 

  5. 5

    Add the water, mix, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover tightly, and allow the rice to cook for 10 to 12 minutes, undisturbed. After this time, the water should have dried up and the rice should be cooked. Leave the rice covered for 5-10 minutes then use a fork to fluff the rice up. 

  6. 6
    Cook the chicken

    While the rice is cooking, heat a stainless steel or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1-2 tbsp of olive oil to the pan. Add the marinated chicken pieces to the pan, ensuring you don't overcrowd the pan. 

  7. 7

    Cook for 5 minutes, flip, and cook for another 5 minutes, or until fully cooked through. Remove cooked chicken to a plate and rest for 5-10 minutes. 

  8. 8

    Cut the chicken up into bite-sized pieces. 

  9. 9
    Serve

    Add a generous scoop of rice to a bowl/plate, add a handful of chicken, add lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes, and smother everything with the white sauce. Enjoy! 

Keywords: Halal cart chicken and rice, new york style chicken and rice, halal cart recipe, yellow rice, easy chicken dinner, middle eastern style rice and chicken
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Read it online: https://www.spoonfulofscrumptious.com/recipe/halal-cart-chicken-and-rice/