Chicken and Rice with Spinach
This is a super quick, healthy dish- oh, and it is a one pot meal. I feel like taking a bow to the applauding audience- yes, I realize no one is applauding- but I feel like they should.
It was one of those days when I had no time and no ideas swimming around in my head. I took out two chicken breast from the freezer and in order to make it really simple, I spiced them with salt and garam masala. Garam masala is made with any where between 5 to 15 spices- depending on who is making it. Since I make my own, it is super flavorful, filled with cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.
I sauteed the chicken pieces and then used the same pan to cook onions and garlic and more garam masala. I added some tomatoes, chicken broth with the rice and tossed in a whole bag of baby spinach. I sliced the chicken pieces and introduced it to the rice and spinach and came up with a wonderful dish.
The busy day ended with a well-balanced, one pot meal and I had only one pot to clean after making the dinner- perfect.
Make this rice dish when things are crazy and you have no time to spend in the kitchen….
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add the chicken breast and sprinkle salt and 1 teaspoon garam masala. Cook on high heat for 2 minutes and flip to the other side. Sprinkle salt and the remaining garam masala and cook for another 2 minutes. Take out and keep aside. The chicken will not be cooked through. It will finish cooking with the rice. Cool the chicken for 10 minutes and cut into ½ inch slices and keep aside.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, sliced
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup tomato sauce or pureed tomatoes
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 5 ounces baby spinach
Heat the same saucepan and add the one tablespoon olive oil. Add the onion, garlic and garam masala. Saute on medium high heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the salt and tomato sauce. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the rice and sauté for a minute. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Cook on high till bubbles begin to form on the surface. Add the spinach, lower the heat, and place lid on saucepan. Cook for 15 minutes or till the rice is cooked. Turn the heat off and add the chicken pieces on top and place the lid back on. Leave the saucepan covered for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Make sure the chicken pieces are cooked through. Mix the rice with the spinach and chicken well before serving.
