Spicy Apricot Chicken with Almond Rice

Posted 2015-10-05 by finy ⇒ follow

Apricots are often used in recipes to cook with chicken, however in this recipe I have made it a spicy chicken mixed with the apricots.

The result is an unusual, yet interesting, yummy taste!

I have used red curry paste to cook the chicken in before adding the apricots with some juice and chicken soup.

The almond rice is a delightful accompaniment, with vegetables chopped finely and the added crunch of lots of slivered almonds.

Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Makes: 2 - 3 servings

Ingredients
For the spicy chicken
450 g chicken thighs cut into 5 cm pieces
1 -2 tsp red curry paste
Bit of plain flour for dusting
1 spring onion, sliced
210 g jar apricot halves
75 g chicken stock
100 g yoghurt
2 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped
Bit of coriander for garnish

For the almond rice
1 small stick celery, chopped
½ green pepper, chopped
65 g shallots (or onion), chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
50 g slivered almonds
¾ tsp Worcestershire sauce
¾ tsp salt
¾ tsp pepper
½ tomato, chopped and seeded
3 spring onions, chopped
2 tbsp parsley, chopped
115 g white rice

Method
For the almond rice

In a large fry pan (I used this also for the chicken otherwise a small one will do!), heat some butter or oil and cook the onion for a few minutes.

Add the celery, garlic and green pepper and cook about 5 minutes till it just starts to get soft.

Remove from the pan and keep these vegetables on a plate.

Add a bit more oil if needed, and add the slivered almonds and stir till they are lightly browned. Add the Worcestershire sauce and stir.

Put this also on a plate for later on.

In a saucepan, bring 450 ml of water to the boil, add the salt, pepper, tomato, parsley, spring onion, partly cooked vegetables and browned almonds, and bring back to the boil.

Add the rice, stir well and reduce the heat to minimum.

Cover and cook for about 20 - 25 minutes till the water has absorbed. I usually turn off my flame about 5 - 10 minutes earlier and allow the rice to continue absorbing the water, as this stops it sticking to the pan.

For the spicy chicken

While the rice is cooking prepare the chicken by lightly coating it in the flour.

Heat some oil in the same large fry pan as you started the rice vegetables in, and add the curry paste.

Stir on a low heat for a minute or so, and then add the spring onion and chicken.

Cook on a medium heat for about 3 - 4 minutes, stirring several times, or until the chicken is starting to brown.

Meanwhile, drain the apricots and keep ½ cup of the juice.

Add this juice to the chicken, then add the stock and the apricots. Bring to the boil, and then turn down the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken is done.