Tandoori Chicken With Spiced Basmati Pilaf

Categories: Chicken, Ethnic, Main Dish

Ingredients

• For the chicken:
• • 1/3 c. plain yogurt
• • 1 tbsp. minced ginger
• * 1 tbsp. garlic-infused olive oil
• • 1/4 tsp. cayenne
• • 11/2 tsp. sweet paprika
• • 2 tsp. salt, divided
• • One 31/2 lb. chicken, skin removed and cut into 8 pieces
• For the pilaf:
• • 1 c. uncooked white basmati rice
• • 11/2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• • 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• • 6 green or white cardamom pods
• • 2 cinnamon sticks (3 inches each)
• • 2 fresh or dried bay leaves
• • 1/3 cup green onions (green parts only), finely chopped
• • 1/4 tsp. saffron threads

Directions

1. Combine the yogurt, ginger, garlic OO, cayenne, paprika and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl, and whisk to blend. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, place the rice in a bowl and rinse until the water runs fairly clear. Fill the bowl halfway with cold water and let the rice soak at room temperature for 30 minutes to soften the kernels.

3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

4. Place chicken on baking sheet. Roast until cooked through, about 40 minutes. Transfer chicken to plate.

5. While the chicken is roasting, prepare the rice. Heat a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat; pour in the oil and swirl it around. It should appear to shimmer; if not, continue heating until it does. Add the cumin, cardamom, cinnamon and bay leaves, which will sputter and crackle and smell aromatic. After 20 to 30 seconds, add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.

6. Drain the rice thoroughly and add to the saucepan, then toss gently with the onion and spice mixture. Pour in 11/2 cups cold water and sprinkle on the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and saffron. Stir rice just once to incorporate.

7. Leaving the pot uncovered, bring the water to a boil over the same medium-high heat. After about 3 minutes, when much of the water has evaporated or been absorbed (if you move some of the rice with a fork, the water should look like it comes about halfway up the rice), stir the rice once more to bring the partially cooked layer from the bottom of the pan to the surface.

8. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and turn down heat to lowest possible setting. Cook covered for another 10 minutes. Without removing the cover, turn off the heat and let the pan stand off the heat, undisturbed, for another 10 minutes.

9. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork to let the steam escape. Remove the cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods and bay leaves.

10. Place the rice on a large platter and top with the chicken.

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