Chicken thighs in clay pot with Indian spices

Indian Spiced Chicken Thighs and Rice in Clay Pot

“Indian Spiced Chicken Thighs and Rice in Clay Pot” is a flavorful and nutritious dish that combines tender chicken thighs with aromatic spices and basmati rice. Chicken thighs are a good source of protein, essential for muscle maintenance and repair. The spices used in this dish, such as garlic, cinnamon, and cardamom, not only add flavor but also offer potential health benefits. Garlic is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, while cinnamon may help regulate blood sugar levels. Basmati rice provides carbohydrates for energy, and the addition of peas contributes fiber and essential vitamins. Overall, this dish offers a balanced combination of protein, carbohydrates, and essential nutrients, making it a satisfying and wholesome meal option

Making Indian Spiced Chicken Thighs and Rice in Clay Pot

Clay pots, renowned for their ability to distribute heat evenly, impart a unique earthy flavor to dishes, enhancing the overall culinary experience.

Serves:

4 people

Time to Prepare:

30 min

Time to cook or cure:

45 min

Skills:

sautéing and stewing

Ingredients & Tools

Ingredients

4 chicken thighs
2 tbsp chicken grease
3 onions
5 garlic cloves
1/2 tbsp salt
1/2 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp Masala curry spice
1 tbsp Homemade tomatada (tomato concentrate will also do)
1 tbsp chili paste (sambal oelek)
4 cardamom pods
2 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
230 grams of peas
1 liter of water
1 homemade stock cube
300 grams of basmati rice
Fresh coriander
Lemon juice

Tools

Large clay pot (35 cm diameter)
Wooden spatula
Tongs
Dinner plate or baking tray for chicken
Cutting board
Chef’s knife
Measuring cup
Greaseproof paper to cover or lid for clay pot

Useful guidelines

Taking care of your clay pot

When using clay pots for cooking, it’s important to remember a few key points for maintenance and optimal results. Firstly, before the initial use, soak the clay pot in water for a few hours to prevent it from cracking during cooking. After each use, clean the pot with warm water and a gentle sponge, avoiding harsh detergents that could damage the porous surface. Allow the pot to air dry thoroughly before storing it. Also, be cautious when heating or cooling the clay pot to prevent thermal shock, which can cause cracking. Gradually increase or decrease the temperature when cooking with clay pots to avoid sudden changes in temperature. With proper care and attention, clay pots can provide years of flavorful and enjoyable cooking experiences.starting end feeding would be rye due to its high nutrient content and levels of naturally present lactobacilli.

Directions

Simply follow these steps in order to make this delicious chicken dish:

Measure out all your ingredients.
Dice your onion.
Coarsely chop your garlic.
Bring your clay pot up to heat on the stove with a medium flame.
When the clay pot is hot, add the chicken grease.
Now fry your chicken, skin side down until golden brown. Then take the thighs out of the pot.
In the same grease you fried the chicken, add the chopped onion. Fry for 5 minutes.
Then add in the chopped garlic, fry for another 3 minutes.
Now add in the “tomatada” and sambal, fry for another 3 minutes.
Add in all the curry powder, the salt, and the pepper, fry for 3 minutes.
Add water to deglaze.
Add stock cube until it is dissolved.
Add cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom pods. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Now place your thighs back in the slowly simmering liquid.
Add peas into the liquid.
Sprinkle the rice between the thighs and evenly distribute it in the liquid.
Now close the pot with a lid, or make a lid with greaseproof paper which keeps the moisture from evaporating.
Boil for about 30 minutes on low heat. Then turn off the heat and let stand for about 15 minutes until the rice has fully absorbed the liquid.
Remove the cartouche or the lid and serve with fresh coriander on top and a generous sprinkle of freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Storage

Serving this dish the next day allows the flavors to meld together even further, resulting in a more deeply infused and satisfying taste. Additionally, the resting time allows the chicken thighs to become even more tender and succulent as they soak up the aromatic spices and broth. Simply reheating the dish gently on the stove or in the oven preserves its integrity, making it a convenient and delicious option for leftovers. Add a dash of water before reheating.