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Pomegranate Sesame Chicken with Ginger Rice Pilaf


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  • Author: khaoula belabess
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This flavorful Pomegranate Sesame Chicken with Ginger Rice Pilaf combines tangy pomegranate, savory soy sauce, and fragrant ginger rice for a delightful and comforting meal. Perfect for a festive occasion or a cozy dinner, this dish is both impressive and easy to prepare.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 2 pounds boneless chicken, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 4 tablespoons flour (use a gluten-free blend if needed)
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
  • 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

For the Ginger Rice Pilaf:

  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 1/2 cup orzo pasta
  • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
  • 2 1/4 cups chicken broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh pomegranate seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

For the Chicken:

  1. Coat the Chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with the flour until evenly coated.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat sesame oil and toasted sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned on all sides.
  3. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the pomegranate juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar.
  4. Simmer the Chicken: Pour the sauce into the skillet with the chicken. Bring it to a simmer and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through. Set aside.

For the Ginger Rice Pilaf:

  1. Cook the Orzo and Rice: In a medium pot, melt the butter (or heat olive oil) over medium heat. Add the orzo and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden. Stir in the rice and ginger, coating them in the butter.
  2. Add the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the broth is absorbed.
  3. Fluff the Rice: Remove from heat and let the rice sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and season with salt and pepper to taste.

To Serve:

  1. Serve the chicken over the ginger rice pilaf.
  2. Garnish with fresh pomegranate seeds for a festive touch.

Notes

  • Ensure that the chicken is well-coated with flour to achieve a crispy texture.
  • Adjust the amount of brown sugar to taste if you prefer a sweeter or less sweet sauce.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion of chicken with rice pilaf
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 650 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg