7 Chicken And Rice Recipes

Whether we grew up eating platters of Latin American arroz con pollo, South Asian chicken biryani, Hainan Chinese Hainanese chicken and rice, or the Arabian Peninsula's kabsa, we've all experienced the subtle nuances of flavor this seemingly simple dish can deliver.

The ancient pairing has diverse and complex roots, but chicken and rice universally represents comfort and nourishment in its many forms. South Asian cultures tend to season their chicken and rice recipes, like chicken biryani, heavily with fresh ginger, onion, and chile; arroz con pollo utilizes Latin staples like tomatoes, onion, and green pepper to add savor to these mild flavored ingredients; and the chicken and rice recipe, kabsa, reflects traditional flavors of the Arabian Peninsula, using raisins, cardamom, and black pepper to create a distinctly sweet and spicy taste.

The popularity of chicken and rice is undeniable. Why else would people stand in line on a New York City block for upwards of 45 minutes for a taste of the Halal Guys' take on this dish? These two ingredients, found bountifully around the world, produce countless chicken and rice recipes for any taste. Satisfy your adventurous palate with some of the less-familiar offerings served around the world.

Chicken biryani is a beloved chicken and rice dish in Indian culture. This dish derives its flavor from yogurt, ginger paste, onion, and spices that give it that distinctly warm and comforting flavor.

For the Easy Chicken Biryani recipe, click here.

This chicken and rice recipe, which originated on the island of Hainan off the coast of southern China, emphasizes the naturally sweet flavor of an absolutely fresh chicken. It's served with rice cooked in chicken fat with garlic and then simmered in chicken stock.

For the Hainanese Chicken and Rice recipe, click here.

Kabsa gets its unique flavor from the blend of spices, which includes allspice, black pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon. This chicken and rice dish, indigenous to the Arabian Peninsula, uses long-grain or basmati rice that is studded with almonds and raisins.

For the Kabsa recipe, click here.