Creamy Herb Chicken Basmati (Print-Friendly Version)

Tender chicken and basmati rice in a creamy herb sauce, perfect for a cozy and comforting dinner.

# Ingredients:

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01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 teaspoon paprika
03 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
04 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
05 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed chilies, or to taste
06 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground fennel seed
12 - 3 tablespoons cream cheese
13 - 240 millilitres whole milk or buttermilk
14 - 190 grams basmati rice, uncooked
15 - 1 garlic clove, minced (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Cook the basmati rice according to package instructions. Once cooked, set aside and keep warm.
02 - In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, crushed chilies, salt, and pepper. Toss until the pieces are evenly coated with the spice mixture.
03 - In a large pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and sauté for 6–8 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
04 - If excessive fat or liquid remains, drain off most, but retain browned bits and a small amount of the remaining butter and juices for extra flavor.
05 - Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the pan. If using, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic. Stir in dried thyme, rosemary, basil, and ground fennel; cook for 1 minute to release the herbs’ flavors.
06 - Add cream cheese and mix until softened. Gradually pour in the milk or buttermilk, stirring continuously, until a smooth, creamy sauce forms. Adjust consistency with additional milk if needed.
07 - Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir to coat with the creamy herb sauce. Simmer over low heat for 3–5 minutes to blend the flavors. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
08 - Serve the creamy herb chicken ladled over warm basmati rice. Enjoy immediately.

# Notes & Tips:

01 - For deeper flavor, add cooked basmati rice to the pan with the sauce and chicken, stirring to absorb the aromatics.
02 - Buttermilk provides a tangier sauce that complements the herb blend.
03 - Avoid overcrowding the pan during searing for optimal browning and even cooking.
04 - Adjust the crushed chilies based on desired spice level.

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