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Meat, Maghreb and Middle East

Tavuk pilav (Turkish chicken and rice pilaf)

Tavuk pilav is a Turkish dish for 4 people, ready in 50 minutes, very easy to make, for about €2.20 per person. It's buttery rice with chickpeas cooked in chicken broth, topped with shredded chicken and parsley. The key to getting it right is cooking the rice in the same broth you poached the chicken in, so it absorbs all that flavor.

Tonight it's a Turkish classic, tavuk pilav, buttery rice with chickpeas cooked in broth and topped with shredded chicken.

Tavuk pilav (Turkish chicken and rice pilaf)
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.20
Calories per person
670 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall, Spring, Summer
The kids
They generally like it

Tavuk pilav is rice with real character, yet it never feels fussy. Every grain gets coated in butter and soaks up the broth the chicken poached in, the chickpeas add a soft bite, and the shredded chicken mixes right in with fresh parsley to brighten the whole dish. It's comforting without ever feeling heavy.

This is the kind of dinner that works on a busy weeknight and still feels special enough for guests curious about Turkish cooking. It's also an easy win with picky kids, since the rice is mild and the chicken is tender. Everything cooks in one pot of broth, no complicated watching required, just a little patience while the rice simmers.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Chicken breasts 500 g

Pantry

  • Long grain riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Canned chickpeasoften in the pantry 400 g
  • Chicken brothoften in the pantry 60 cl
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Butter 40 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 1
  • Parsley 0.5 bunch

Allergens Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Poach the chicken breasts in the broth, then shred them with two forks. 15 min

    Start with cold broth, the chicken will stay more tender.

  2. Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear.

    Well rinsed rice won't clump together.

  3. Melt the butter, sauté the chopped onion, then add the rice until translucent. 5 min

    Stir constantly over medium heat so the rice soaks up the butter.

  4. Add the chickpeas and the hot broth, season with salt, cover, and simmer over low heat. 15 min

    Use one and a half times the volume of broth to rice.

  5. Let it rest under a kitchen towel, fluff gently, then top with the shredded chicken and parsley. 8 min

    Resting off the heat lets the grains separate nicely.

Our tips to get it right

  • Don't lift the lid while the rice cooks, trapping the steam is what gives you even, fluffy results.
  • If the rice sticks a little at the bottom, that's normal, the thin golden crust lifts off easily and plenty of people love it as is.
  • Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas well so they hold their shape in the rice instead of turning it mushy.

The variations

  • Swap the chicken for turkey pieces, they stay just as tender after poaching in the broth.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the chicken, double the chickpeas, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • For a quick kid friendly version, use leftover roast chicken instead of poaching it fresh, you'll save the 15 minute poaching step.

What to serve it with

  • A cucumber and tomato salad
  • Plain chilled yogurt
  • Turkish black tea

Storage

Tavuk pilav keeps for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. It freezes well for up to 2 months, reheat it in a pan with a splash of water or broth to bring back the rice's softness.

Questions about this dish

Can you make tavuk pilav ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook the rice and chicken the day before and store them separately in the fridge. Reheat the rice in a pan with a little broth before topping it with the chicken.

What's the best rice to use for tavuk pilav?

Long grain rice like basmati works best because the grains stay separate after cooking. Avoid short grain rice, which tends to turn sticky in this dish.

Can you use dried chickpeas instead of canned?

Yes, but you'll need to soak them overnight and cook them for about an hour before adding them to the rice. Canned chickpeas are more convenient for a weeknight dinner.

Does tavuk pilav freeze well?

Yes, it holds up well in the freezer for up to 2 months in an airtight container. Thaw it in the fridge, then reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water.

How long does it take to make a tavuk pilav?

Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a tavuk pilav?

About 670 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a tavuk pilav cost?

About €2.20 per serving, or €8.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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