Rachael's Daytime Talk Show
Yellow Chicken and Rice -- 01/16/09

Yellow Chicken and Rice

Ingredients

  • 1/2 teaspoon (about 2 pinches) saffron threads
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 tablespoon EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, cut in half
  • Salt and ground black pepper
  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup (a couple of handfuls) broken spaghetti
  • 1 cup long grain rice
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 pinch cinnamon
  • 1 pinch of turmeric
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Yields: 4 servings

Preparation

Place a medium-size pot over medium heat with the saffron and chicken stock. Bring the up to a simmer and reserve warm.

Place a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat with 1 turn of the pan of EVOO, about 1 tablespoon, and 1 tablespoon butter. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and cook in the pan until golden brown, 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken to a plate and reserve, covered with foil.

Step

Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the pan. Add the pasta to the pan and cook until toasted and golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Add the rice to the pan, tossing to coat in the butter, along with the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are tender, about 5 minutes.

Step

Add the bay leaf, cinnamon, turmeric, saffron-infused stock and reserved chicken to the pan. Bring the liquid up to a bubble, cover the pan, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender, 15-18 minutes. Stir in the peas and parsley, remove and discard the bay leaf, and serve.