One-Pan Cheesy Harissa Chicken & Rice

Ingredients

• 600 g chicken breast (Diced)
• 1 onion (Large, finely chopped)
• 2 mixed peppers (Diced)
• 1 red chilli (Optional; diced or chopped)
• 3 garlic (Cloves, chopped)
• 1.5 tbsp harissa paste (Use rose harissa for mild heat or classic harissa for more heat)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 220 g basmati rice (Dry weight)
• 600 ml chicken stock
• 40 g reduced-fat cheddar (Grated)
• 0.5 lemon juice (Juice of ½ lemon)
• 1 tsp olive oil
• salt (To season the chicken)
• black pepper (To season the chicken)
• fresh parsley (To serve)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat the olive oil in a large, deep non-stick pan over medium heat.

2. 2

   Add the diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5–6 minutes until golden. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.

3. 3

   Add the chopped onion, garlic, diced peppers, and optional red chilli to the same pan. Cook for 3–4 minutes, until the vegetables have softened.

4. 4

   Stir in the harissa paste, smoked paprika, cumin, and tomato purée. Cook for 1 minute to release the flavours.

5. 5

   Stir in the dry basmati rice until it is coated in the spiced mixture.

6. 6

   Pour in the chicken stock, then return the chicken to the pan. Stir to combine.

7. 7

   Cover the pan and simmer gently for 15–18 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.

8. 8

   Remove the lid and fluff the rice. Squeeze in the lemon juice.

9. 9

   Sprinkle the grated cheddar evenly over the top. Cover the pan again and leave it off the heat for 1–2 minutes, or place it briefly under the grill, until the cheese melts.

10. 10

    Finish with fresh parsley and serve straight from the pan.

Notes

The source states approximately 464 calories, 44 g protein, 42 g carbohydrates, 11 g fat, and 4 g fibre per serving. The transcript describes the dish as suitable for leftovers or lunch the following day, but does not provide specific storage or reheating instructions.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• one-pan
• high-protein
• comfort food
• Middle Eastern-inspired
• chicken
• rice
• cheesy