Chicken pilau (easy baked chicken, raisin, & yellow rice recipe)

This delicious, nutritious chicken pilau (easy baked chicken, raisin, & yellow rice recipe) will hit the spot! An easy homemade dinner recipe packed with protein and the right amount of yellow rice and sweet dried fruits- raisins and dates. The chicken has a light sweet fruity aromatic taste, which complements the fluffy soft yellow rice. You will make this baked chicken dish regularly!

I could not wait any longer, so I took the first bite hot right out of the oven while my kids were staring at me and waiting impatiently for their food! The sweet aroma and flavor of this chicken pilau recipe with raisins and yellow rice are incredible, you guys!!

When it comes to making a variety of baked chicken dishes with sweet-sour, creamy, buttery taste, this skinny-taste sweet chicken pilau recipe with raisins and yellow rice got to be one of my favorite baked chicken recipes and your favorite pretty soon too!

You may serve this chicken pilau recipe with your favorite side vegetable dishes. However, fermented vegetables with their tangy flavor or fresh garden salads complement the dish better. I served it with sauerkraut.

This sweet chicken pilau recipe is an excellent recipe to make for all special occasions and holidays!

If this baked chicken recipe inspired you, check out the other popular chicken recipes:

• Creamy walnut chicken recipe
• Sweet and sour chicken gluten free
• Best chicken kebabs in oven

Ingredients

• Chicken. I used a whole chicken cut into small pieces. Bone-in, skin, and fat removed.
• Raisins. Any raisins work. Adds sweet fruity flavor to the dish.
• Dates. This is optional to add extra sweetness to the dish.
• Rice. Find instructions on how to prepare it.
• Onion. Adds flavor.
• Turmeric. Adds flavor and lovely color to the dish.
• Garlic and onion powder. Optional. For more flavor.
• Salt & pepper as needed.
• Oil as needed. I used avocado oil.

Instructions to make chicken pilau (step by step)

Preheat the oven to 400 °F

Add turmeric and oil to the al-dente rice and mix them all to make yellow rice.

In a hot skillet, add oil and sauté onion until soft and golden.

Then, add the chicken to the sauteed onion and sear it.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper as needed.

Next, add garlic and onion powder.

Let the chicken sauté until most of the liquid is absorbed.

Next, spread the yellow rice over the chicken.

Add raisins and dates over the yellow rice.

Cover the skillet with foil and cook it on the middle rack of the oven.

ENJOY!

Tips

• Learn how to prepare the yellow rice for this dish in the section below in the post.
• Feel free to use more rice if needed.
• Use bone-in chicken cuts to add more flavor to the dish. Bone-in chicken cuts take longer to cook.
• Make chicken cuts small, so they cook faster.
• Saluting onion and chicken adds more flavor to the dish.
• If you have extra time in hand, sauté dried fruits.
• Toss in your favorite finely chopped vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, peas... to make it a complete dish.
• Serve it with your favorite side dishes. I served it with sauerkraut.
• Add a dash of your favorite spices or herbs.
• Customize the amount of the ingredients to your liking, and check out the section in the post for substitutes and more.
• I use bone-in chicken cuts, which take longer to cook. If otherwise, adjust for cooking time.

Substitutes

• Substitute chicken with beef or fish. Make it vegan and substitute chicken with beans, chickpeas, lentils, or soaked chopped nuts such as walnut, cashew, or peanut.
• Replace white rice with brown rice, quinoa, pasta, oats, orzo, and other small pasta. Or couscous. Make it keto-friendly and substitute rice with cauliflower or broccoli rice, shredded cabbage, or zucchini.
• Instead of raisins or dates, use other dried fruits: apricots, cranberries, cherries, figs, plums, mangos, and pineapples are great options.
  • Or use sweet vegetables such as shredded sweet potatoes, carrots., or winter squash. Fresh fruits such as apples, pears, and peaches... are great options.
• Replace onion with leeks, chives, garlic, or shallots.
• Use butter, ghee, coconut oil, avocado oil, or olive oil.
• Add your favorite spices and herbs. This is an easy way to boost the dish's flavor without adding more calories.
  • Spices: cumin, ginger, cayenne pepper, cinnamon...
  • Herbs: cilantro, chives, oregano, mint, dill, parsley, basil, and rosemary…

Variations

• Add sour cream to it and make a creamy baked chicken casserole with raisins and yellow rice.
  • Plain whole milk yogurt, greek yogurt, hard cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, or heavy cream are other great alternatives to sour cream.
• Cook it in a slow cooker, instant pot, or stovetop instead of baking this dish in the oven.
• Add some sauteed aromatic herbs such as parsley, cilantro, and chives to the dish.
• Use some of your favorite spices.

Equipment

I used this 10-inch cast-iron skillet (affiliate link). Everything tastes extra delicious when cooked in cast-iron cookware.

Storage and reheat

Store chicken pilau in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Whenever ready to serve them, let them heat up slowly on a stovetop or microwave them for a few seconds.

what to serve with it

Fresh spring mix salad or fermented vegetables are great side dishes. Serve it with my roasted green beans and cauliflower broccoli salad. Check out my side dish recipes for more ideas!

Why bake chicken at 400 °F

The high-heated oven helps to sear and cook the chicken fast without drying it out. So that chicken stays moist and juicy.

Why cover the skillet while baking it

Chicken and rice need steam to cook through. When you cover the skillet while baking the chicken dish in the oven, the steam created by the ingredients in the skillet gets trapped inside, which helps to cook the al-dente rice and chicken without drying it out otherwise. This way, the chicken cooks thoroughly, and the rice stays soft, fluffy, and moist; no need to add additional liquid.

How to prepare the yellow rice

1. Rinse one cup of dry rice with water before cooking (optional).
2. Let the rice soak in 2 cups of water for 10 -30 minutes (optional). Otherwise, go to the next step.
3. Next, add 2 cups of water to the rinsed rice in a pot, and season it with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Bring it to a boil and reduce the heat.
5. Let the rice boil for about 5 minutes or until you can break the rice grains easily between your fingers but not thoroughly cooked through, other words, al-dente rice.
6. Then, drain the rice and add turmeric and oil to the al-dente rice and mix them to make yellow rice.
7. Set it aside. Yellow rice will finish cooking in the oven.

What did you substitute? How did your family and kids like it? Let me know in the comment below your favorite combination. I love to hear from you!

Find more simple, delicious, nutritious chicken recipes:

• Creamy walnut chicken recipe
• Sweet and sour chicken gluten free
• Best chicken kebabs in oven

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