This chicken breast recipe is so flavorful and easy to make that it will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. With tender chicken, seasoned onions, and a side of perfectly cooked rice mixed with colorful vegetables, this dish is not only visually appealing but also incredibly satisfying. The fresh dill adds a lovely herby touch to the chicken, while the rice makes for the perfect hearty accompaniment. It’s a complete meal that you’ll find yourself cooking again and again!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 3 onions (combination of white and red, finely chopped)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Ground red pepper (to taste)
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp (30 g) tomato puree
- 100-150 ml (⅓ – ⅔ cup) water
- Fresh dill (chopped, for garnish)
For the Rice Attachment:
- 1 cup (200 g) rice
- 2 cups (480 ml) water
- Salt (to taste)
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 1 carrot (diced)
- 1 red pepper (diced)
- 1 tbsp (15 g) tomato puree
- Salt, black pepper, and ground red pepper (to taste)
- 2-3 tbsp (30-45 g) canned corn
- Olive oil (for cooking)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
Start by finely chopping 3 onions (a mix of white and red for added flavor depth). Place the chopped onions and the cut chicken breast pieces into a bowl. Season with salt, black pepper, and ground red pepper to taste. Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 2 tablespoons of tomato puree, mixing everything together to coat the chicken well. Allow the chicken to marinate while you prepare the other ingredients. This will enhance the flavor of the chicken as it absorbs the spices and puree.
2. Prepare the Onion Base for the Chicken
Heat a pan over medium heat and add a small amount of oil. Add the remaining chopped onions to the pan and sauté for 1-2 minutes until they start to soften and become fragrant. Stir in the tomato puree and cook for another minute. Add 100-150 ml (⅓ – ⅔ cup) of water and mix well. Cover the pan and let the mixture simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
3. Cook the Marinated Chicken
In a separate large pan, heat a little more oil over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces, stirring occasionally to brown them evenly on all sides. Once the chicken begins to cook through, add the sautéed onions and tomato puree mixture to the pan. Stir everything together, cover with a lid, and let it cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. The chicken should absorb the flavors of the onions and spices, creating a rich and savory dish.
4. Prepare the Rice
While the chicken is cooking, start preparing the rice. In a medium pot, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the rice and sauté for 1-2 minutes to slightly toast it. This step enhances the flavor of the rice and prevents it from becoming mushy. Add 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt, then bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the rice simmer until it’s cooked to al dente (about 15-18 minutes).
5. Sauté the Vegetables for the Rice
In a separate pan, heat a little oil over medium heat and add the chopped onion, diced carrot, and diced red pepper. Season with salt, black pepper, and ground red pepper to taste. Sauté the vegetables for 5-7 minutes until they are softened and fragrant, but still retain a bit of their bite. This adds texture and color to the dish.
6. Combine the Rice with Vegetables
Once the rice is cooked, add it to the pan with the sautéed vegetables, stirring gently to combine. Add the 2-3 tablespoons of canned corn, mixing it into the rice mixture. The corn adds a touch of sweetness and a nice pop of color. Adjust seasoning if needed and cook for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
7. Garnish the Chicken with Dill
Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove the lid and sprinkle the freshly chopped dill over the top. The dill adds a fresh, herby note that complements the richness of the chicken and onions. Stir gently to distribute the dill throughout the chicken mixture.
8. Serve and Enjoy
To serve, place a generous portion of the chicken with onions on one side of the plate and the rice with vegetables on the other. The combination of the juicy, flavorful chicken and the hearty, vegetable-infused rice creates a balanced and satisfying meal. Enjoy this dish with your favorite side salad or a light soup to complete the meal.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
- Calories: 450
- Total Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sodium: 500mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 45g
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 30g
Tips for Success:
- Marinating Time: For even better flavor, marinate the chicken for 30 minutes to 1 hour before cooking, allowing the spices to fully penetrate the meat.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add more vegetables to the rice, like green peas or zucchini, for added flavor and nutrition.
- Dill Alternative: If you’re not a fan of dill, fresh parsley or cilantro also work beautifully as garnishes.
This chicken breast recipe is a perfect blend of savory flavors and textures. The tender chicken combined with the seasoned onions and perfectly cooked rice with vegetables make this a complete and delicious meal that’s sure to please the entire family.