Tavuk Pilav (Turkish Chicken & Chickpea Pilaf)

Ingredients

• Chicken Broth
• 1 whole chicken (cut into 8 pieces)
• 1 carrot
• 1 onion
• 2 celery sticks
• 1/2 tsp whole peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves
• Rice
• 2 cups rice short grain rice (washed thoroughly & drained)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup chickpeas (cooked)
• 2&1/2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Steps ---

2. 2

   Cut vegetables for chicken broth into equal sized pieces, place in a big pot along with chicken, 5 cups of water, pepper & bay leaves, bring to a boil.

3. 3

   Reduce heat, cover, simmer gently for abt 1 hr & set aside to cool.

4. 4

   When chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the rest of the ingredients, shred 1/2 of chicken meat, discard bones, skin & gristle.

5. 5

   Strain broth through a fine mesh & set aside.

6. 6

   In a large pan, melt butter & oil on medium heat, add rice & fry for 2 mins.

7. 7

   Add chickpeas, broth, salt & pepper, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover & cook until almost all the liquid has been absorbed.

8. 8

   Remove lid, place shredded chicken on top, cover & steam for 5 mins.

9. 9

   Fluff rice, stir to mix chicken meat with rice & taste to adjust seasoning.

10. 10

    To serve, ladle rice into serving plates/bowls, place a piece of chicken, salad of choice & pickled chillies (optional)