Rice Bhuteko (Nepali-Style Chicken Stir-Fried Rice) 🍚🍗
Get ready to savor the delightful flavors of Nepali cuisine with this scrumptious Rice Bhuteko recipe, a savory dish that perfectly blends tender chicken with fragrant spices and fluffy rice. Ideal for a quick and satisfying meal, this dish is both vibrant and full of rich flavors, perfect for any occasion. Let’s dive into making this easy yet delectable stir-fried rice!
Ingredients
- Steamed Rice: 2 cups (freshly cooked and cooled)
- Onion: 1, finely chopped
- Red Bell Pepper: 1/2, diced
- Zucchini: 1, sliced
- Green Peas: 1/2 cup
- Dried Red Chilies: 3, broken into pieces
- Garlic: 1 clove, minced
- Ginger: 1 teaspoon, minced
- Cumin Seeds: 1 teaspoon
- Turmeric Powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Butter: 1 tablespoon
- Yogurt: 1/2 cup
- Sugar: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: To taste
- Black Pepper: To taste
- Fresh Cilantro: 2 tablespoons, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
-
Prepare the Ingredients: Begin by ensuring all your ingredients are prepped and ready to go. Finely chop the onion, dice the red bell pepper, slice the zucchini, and mince the garlic and ginger. Set these aside for easy incorporation into your dish.
-
Heat the Butter: In a large frying pan or wok, melt the butter over medium heat. This will create a rich base for your stir-fry and help infuse all the flavors.
-
Infuse with Spices: Add the broken dried red chilies and turmeric powder to the melted butter. Fry these for about 15 seconds to release their essential oils and create a fragrant base.
-
Add Aromatics: Toss in the minced garlic, minced ginger, and fresh chilies (if using). Stir these into the butter mixture and cook for another minute, allowing the aromas to meld together beautifully.
-
Cook the Vegetables: Introduce the finely chopped onion, diced red bell pepper, and sliced zucchini to the pan. Sauté these vegetables until they become tender and start to brown slightly, which should take about 5 minutes.
-
Incorporate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pan. Season with sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir-fry the chicken with the vegetables for about 5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
-
Combine with Rice: Next, add the steamed rice to the pan, along with the green peas. Gently stir to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
-
Add Yogurt and Cumin Seeds: Stir in the yogurt and toasted cumin seeds. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until all the liquid is absorbed, and the rice grains are separated and well-coated with the spices and yogurt.
-
Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve your delicious Rice Bhuteko hot on its own or alongside sekuwas (grilled skewers) for a complete meal.
This Rice Bhuteko recipe not only brings a taste of Nepal to your kitchen but also combines wholesome ingredients into a vibrant and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any meal of the day. Enjoy the rich blend of spices and the tender pieces of chicken, all harmoniously combined with fresh vegetables and rice. 🌶️🍚🍽️