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Serbian Rice with Chicken Recipe

4.2 from 54 reviews

Serbian Rice with Chicken is a hearty, flavorful one-pot dish featuring tender chicken breast simmered with basmati rice, vibrant bell peppers, peas, and a rich tomato base infused with paprika and garlic. It’s a quick and comforting meal perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • ¾ cup (160 g) basmati rice
  • 1 cup (250 g) tomato purée (or crushed tomatoes)
  • ⅔ cup (100 g) peas (fresh or frozen)
  • 2 bell peppers, diced
  • 2 cups (450 ml) vegetable broth
  • 12 oz (350 g) chicken breast, cut into ½-inch (1 cm) cubes

Seasonings and Aromatics

  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper (or hot paprika)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare ingredients: Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic. Dice the bell peppers. Cut the chicken breast into small 1 cm (½ inch) cubes to ensure even cooking.
  2. Sauté: Heat olive oil in a large deep pan or pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until it becomes translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add chicken and peppers: Add the diced chicken and bell peppers to the pan. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to brown the chicken slightly.
  4. Season: Stir in salt, sweet paprika, cayenne pepper (or hot paprika), and minced garlic. Cook for another 30 seconds to release the spices’ aroma and infuse the dish.
  5. Add rice and liquids: Incorporate the basmati rice and peas into the pan, then pour in the tomato purée and vegetable broth. Stir everything well to combine evenly.
  6. Simmer: Cover the pan and let it simmer gently over low to medium heat for 14 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Avoid stirring too much to prevent breaking the rice grains.
  7. Taste & serve: Check the seasoning and adjust salt if needed. Serve the Serbian rice with chicken warm, optionally garnished with fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth.
  • Add fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving to brighten the dish.
  • Leftovers reheat well; add a splash of broth or water when warming to restore moisture.

Keywords: Serbian rice, chicken and rice, basmati rice chicken recipe, one pot Serbian dish, paprika chicken rice, quick chicken dinner