Street Cart Chicken & Rice

Saturday 3 November 2018


Generally speaking (and I know you should never speak in generalities) Saturday nights are takeway nights here in the UK.  Most people opting for an Indian or a Chinese from their local takeway restaurant.  

It’s something I have only ever very rarely indulged in. Mostly I make our food here in the house by myself.  That way I know exactly what is in it. 



I suppose our Takeaways here in the UK are similar to what you might buy from a Street Cart in one of the larger cities in the US.  I saw this recipe on Serious Eats a few weeks back.

I really wanted to try it myself.   It looked and sounded really tasty!


I have never eaten anything from a street cart, either here or in NYC. I have never had this before in my life, so I can't really avow to its authenticity.

I can tell you (having now made it) that its really, really delicious! Phenomenally so!



I loosely basically followed their recipe with a few variations.  I did the chicken a bit differently as you will see.  

I also didn't think their extra steps were necessary.  They basically cooked it twice.  I only cooked it once. 



I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs that we got from Costco and they were really good.  I used dry oregano, which I rubbed between the palms of my hand and I grated/crushed the garlic, really fine.  

Then I just mixed them with all of the other ingredients for the marinade.  I made the mistake of adding the oil to the marinade, but you know what?  It worked beautifully, so it really wasn't a mistake after all.



I cooked the chicken in a heavy bottomed non-stick skillet. I didn't have to add any extra oil to cook it. 

The oil that was in the marinade worked well for helping it not to stick. I think it actually helped it to brown better! 



The rice was really easy to make and so flavourful!  I used Uncle Ben's long grain rice because that is what I had!

You could also use Basmati as the original recipe states.  It has a beautiful colour and a lovely flavour! I loved it! 



The sauce is delicious too! It’s a simple combination of  mayonnaise (I use Hellman's), and Greek yogurt, sugar, vinegar, lemon juice, seasoning and plenty of parsley. 

I could eat this with a spoon! Seriously. I might have done that a little bit! 😁



It goes beautifully with every element of this dish. Just looking at this makes me want to cook it again.

I am seriously drooling here! Seriously! 😋😋😋



I was lucky enough to get some really lovely soft and fresh white pita breads.  

They were gorgeous lightly brushed with butter and toasted in the oven. 



Other than that you only need some shredded lettuce (I used Iceberg) and some chopped tomatoes. I used cherry tomatoes.

I am sure that any lettuce or tomatoes would do, so long as they are fresh and flavourful!


Altogether this was absolutely beautiful.  We both loved it very much!

I know it is something we will want to eat again!  I highly recommend!

Yield: serves 4 generously

Street Cart Chicken & Rice

prep time: 15 minscook time: 30 minstotal time: 45 mins
This might look like a lot of work, but this goes together very easily and deliciously! I promise you. Put the chicken in to marinade before you do the rice, etc. Once you have everything ready, the final dish goes together lickety split and is oh sooooo delicious!

ingredients:

For the chicken:
2 TBS fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 TBS dry oregano leaves
1/2 tsp ground coriander
3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
60ml light olive oil (1/4 cup)
fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of any excess fat

For the sauce:
110g mayonnaise (1/2 cup)
125g Greek yogurt (1/2 cup)
1 TBS sugar
2 TBS white vinegar
1 tsp lemon juice
a large handful fresh parsley, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the rice:
2 TBS butter
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/4 tsp ground cumin
315g long grain rice (1 1/2 cups)
590ml chicken stock (2 1/2 cups)
fine sea salt and freshly ground back pepper to taste

You will also need:
Shredded lettuce
chopped tomatoes
whit pita bread, brushed with butter and
lightly toasted, then cut into 1 inch strips
(See note below)

instructions:

Whisk together all of the ingredients for the chicken in a shallow
dish.  Add the chicken pieces, turning to coat.  Cover and chill for
about an hour, giving them a stir every now and then.

Heat
 the butter for the rice in a medium, heavy bottomed saucepan with a
lid.  Add the turmeric and cumin. Heat over moderate heat, until
fragrant. Don't allow it to brown. Add the rice.  Cook, stirring, over
moderate heat until the rice begins to toast.  Stir in the chicken
stock.  Bring to the boil, then reduce to a low simmer, cover and cook
on low heat for about 15 minutes without stirring. Set aside until all
of the water has been absorbed, about 15 minutes.  Fluff up with a fork.

To make the sauce, whisk all of the ingredients together until well combined.

Remove
 the chicken from the marinade and pat dry.  Cook in a lightly oiled
heavy bottomed pan or on the grill, over high heat, for about four
minutes without disturbing. Reduce heat to medium and flip the chicken.
Cook for a further 6 to 8 minutes until cooked through and the juices
run clear.  Transfer to a cutting board, lightly tent with foil and let
rest for about 5 minutes.
Cut the chicken into 1/2 inch chunks. (I use my kitchen scissors to do this)

To
 serve, place a portion of rice into each bowl, top each with a portion
of the chicken, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes and toasted pita
bread strips.  Drizzle the sauce over top and serve.

Note - to toast the pita breads, brush lightly on both sides with some butter, place on a baking sheet, and then toast in a moderate oven (180*C/350*F/gas mark 4) for 8 to 10 minutes.  cut into strips with some kitchen shears.

Created using The Recipes Generator


At first glance it might look like a lot of ingredients and a bit faffy, but trust me it is not.  Read the recipe through and then do each element of it one at a time.  Once you have all of them together, it all goes together like a breeze!  You are going to love this, I guarantee!  Bon Appetit! 



8 comments

  1. This sounds absolutely delicious. I think the combination of lemon, garlic and oregano is perfect for chicken and the sauce is a lovely creamy contrast. I'll make this for sure. *adds chicken thighs to shopping list*

    The good thing is that you can make the sauce and marinade the chicken early in the day, then you only need to cook the rice and chicken as you are about to eat. I find that dividing up a dish like that can make it less daunting if it seems at first glance to need a lot of steps.

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    Replies
    1. Exactly Marie! Planning makes all the difference! This is gorgeous, I am sure you will love it! xo

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  2. Oh yes this looks god! That Costco..! We buy a breaded chicken..real chicken lol..inchunks kind of..and I make a very similar plate for us..Ther thighs are so good and tender..We have never been disappointed in their products..we did buy a pulled pork all done one yr and no that was not for us..Love their spring rolls:)Smoked meats:) Remember a great smoked meat>?The only nitrite packed thing we eat and RARELY.But they are good.It's a great place.Nothing cute about it though;)

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    Replies
    1. I love most of what I have gotten at Costco, and yes the breaded chicken is lovely! Like you say real chicken! I have not gotten the pulled pork, and can only wish they had the smoked meat here! I miss that. In any case I think a trip to Costco is due this week. We are going to get our beef for Boxing day from Costco. It looks the best! xo PS - you would love LOVE the chicken!

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  3. Yum, yum, yum, yum and yum . . . I want to be invited to your house :)

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  4. I just stumbled across your blog whole looking for a recipe for halal cart chicken. Thank you so much for this tasty recipe and for putting in non-metric measurements for us heathens across the pond! This chicken got rave reviews from my family.

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    Replies
    1. I aim to please Zade! I love LOVE this chicken dish! Happy it was enjoyed by your family! xoxo

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