Indian Chicken Rice Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of basmati rice
• 1 lb of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 small red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon of garam masala
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1 lime, juiced

Instructions:

1. In a medium pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add rice and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until rice is fully cooked and water has been absorbed, about 18 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, mix together garam masala, ground cumin, salt and black pepper. Rub the chicken breasts with the seasoning blend.
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 6-8 minutes per side until the chicken is fully cooked and browned. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to cool.
4. In the same skillet, add the chickpeas, bell pepper, and red onion. Cook for about 5 minutes until vegetables are tender. Add the cooked rice and stir well.
5. Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the rice and vegetable mixture to a large salad bowl.
6. Chop the chicken breasts into small pieces and add them to the salad.
7. Add fresh cilantro and lime juice to the salad and toss everything together well.
8. Serve the salad cold or at room temperature.

Verdict:

This Indian Chicken Rice Salad is a perfect blend of spicy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. The rice and chickpeas create a great base, which is nicely complemented by the juicy and flavorful chicken. The freshness of cilantro and tanginess of lime bring this dish to life, making it the perfect light and refreshing meal option.

Serving Suggestions:

This salad can be served as a side dish or main course, depending on the portion size. It also makes a great lunch or light dinner option. You can also top the salad with some chopped nuts, such as cashews or almonds, if desired for added texture and crunch. Enjoy this salad on its own or with some garlic naan bread or other Indian-inspired sides.