Alanya’s traditional flavor and one of the unforgettable tastes of weddings and special gatherings, Chicken Pilav, is explained below with all details and tips:
🍽️ Chicken Pilaf Recipe (Serves 8–10)
This recipe follows a traditional method in which the chicken is specially prepared to remove any odor and the rice is enriched with flavorful chicken broth.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Rice and Chicken:
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4 cups rice
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1 kg chicken
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5 tablespoons butter
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5 cups chicken broth
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½ bunch parsley
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Salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper
For Washing and Boiling the Chicken:
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1 medium tomato
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1 medium lemon
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2 medium onions
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1 tablespoon salt
👨🍳 Preparation and Instructions
1. Preparation:
Soak the rice in warm salted water for at least one hour.
Cut the chicken into pieces. Rub the chicken with roughly chopped onions, sliced lemon (with peel), and salt for 10–15 minutes to remove any odor. Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water.
2. Cooking the Chicken:
Place the washed chicken in a pot, add water, and bring to a boil. Skim off any foam that forms on the surface.
Add one whole tomato and one onion cut into quarters, then let it cook. Add salt near the end of cooking.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the bones and shred or cut into small pieces.
3. Preparing the Rice:
Bring 5 cups of chicken broth to a boil with 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the soaked and drained rice, and cook until the liquid is absorbed.
Let the rice rest for 5 minutes. Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter until hot and pour it over the rice, then gently mix.
In a separate pan, lightly sauté the chicken pieces in a little butter and place them over the rice. Garnish with parsley and black pepper before serving.
💡 Tip
After the rice has rested, stir it gently with the handle of a wooden spoon before pouring the hot butter over it. This prevents the grains from breaking and keeps the rice fluffy and separate.
Enjoy your meal!