One-pot rice with turmeric chicken & Sambal Oelek - Dom Cooks

Another ultra-flavorful, nutritious, and easy-to-prepare "One-pot" recipe. The cilantro sauce is the perfect complement to the flavorful chicken. The rice slowly cooks with the chicken juices, making it even more delicious.

Serves 4

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons Sambal Oelek
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil

For the rice:

• 1 onion or 1 leek, finely chopped
• 1 cup Basmati rice
• 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 bunch of spinach, about 4 cups
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Pepper to taste

For the sauce:

• ⅓ cup labneh or Greek yogurt
• ½ jalapeño (I remove the seeds for less heat)
• 1 small garlic clove
• 1 cup cilantro leaves with stems still on
• Juice of ½ lime or lemon
• 1 pinch of kosher salt

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.
2. Add all the ingredients for the chicken marinade in a large bowl and mix well.
3. Add the chicken pieces and coat them all evenly. You can marinate it overnight, but I have done it with a 10-minute marinade, and it works well too.
4. Heat a large cast-iron pan or braiser with a lid over medium heat. Add the vegetable oil and fry the chicken pieces skin side down for 5 minutes. Turn them and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and clean the pan if there are any burnt bits.
5. Add more oil and chopped leek to the pan. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until soft. Add the rice and stir to coat. Add the vegetable broth and spinach. Stir well and wait until the spinach is wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Add the chicken back into the pot, making sure the skin is not submerged by broth. Pop the lid on and bake in the oven for 25 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by adding the ingredients to a small food processor. Blitz until smooth and set aside.
8. After 25 minutes, check the chicken, and if it needs more browning, remove the lid and pop back in the oven on broil. Watch it carefully.
9. Serve by scooping a big portion of rice, one or two chicken pieces, and a generous dollop of cilantro sauce. SO good.