Description
A comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breast pieces cooked in a creamy herb sauce served over fragrant basmati rice. This easy-to-make recipe combines aromatic spices and herbs with a luscious cream cheese and milk-based sauce, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Spices
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon crushed chilies (adjust for heat preference)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce and Herbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon rosemary
- ½ teaspoon basil
- ¼ teaspoon ground fennel
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1 cup milk or buttermilk (for a richer, tangier flavor)
- Optional: 1 clove garlic, minced
Rice
- 1 cup basmati rice (uncooked)
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: Prepare the basmati rice according to the package instructions. Once cooked, set it aside and keep warm for serving.
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with paprika, ground cumin, oregano, crushed chilies, salt, and pepper until evenly coated with the spices.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same pan, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. If using garlic, sauté it for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add thyme, rosemary, basil, and ground fennel, cooking for about 1 minute to release their aromas. Stir in the cream cheese and cook until it melts completely. Gradually add the milk or buttermilk, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the pan with the sauce. Simmer together for 3 to 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the chicken to heat through.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy herb chicken generously over the warm basmati rice and enjoy this comforting dish immediately.
Notes
- For a tangier sauce, opt for buttermilk instead of regular milk.
- Adjust the amount of crushed chilies according to your desired spice level.
- You can use fresh herbs instead of dried for a more vibrant flavor, but increase the quantity slightly.
- Ensure the chicken pieces are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
