Aromatic Mediterranean Chicken And Courgette Rice With Parsley and Smoked Paprika recipe


INGREDIENTS


  • 475g chicken thighs or breast, cut into pieces
  • 1 tablespoon sundried tomato infused olive oil (I reserved oil from the sundried tomato jar)
  • 1 medium red onion, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1/2 large courgette sliced into rings
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 225ml basmati rice
  • 70g sundried tomatoes in olive oil
  • 1 level teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 level teaspoon Herbes de Provence
  • 450ml water
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped basil



DIRECTIONS

  • Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a large saucepan.  When the pan is hot, add the chicken pieces.  Chicken thighs do contain fat within its flesh, you will therefore not need to add any fats for frying.  However, if using pieces of breast, you may then need to add oil to the pan to fry the chicken pieces.  Cook until golden brown on both sides.  Remove and set aside.
  • Add a tablespoon of the sundried tomato infused olive oil to the pan.  Add onions, bell pepper and courgette.  Stir fry for at least five minutes.  
  • Then add garlic and once this turns golden brown, add the basmati rice and sundried tomatoes, ensuring that every grain of rice gets coated with the oil.
  • Add the smoked paprika and herbes de provence, stir, then add 450ml water.  Allow to simmer, add the chicken pieces and cover for approximately 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked through.
  • Before serving, stir in the chopped parsley and basil.  


This recipe serves 3 people.

Nutrition profile (per serve): 472 calories, 49g carbohydrate, 13g fat, 35g protein.