Chipotle Cream Chicken with Lemon Turmeric Rice
About this recipe
Are you looking to spice up your midweek meals? Well, look no further, my Chipotle Cream Chicken with Lemon Turmeric Rice is the perfect dish to spice up your dinner plans. It's bold, creamy, and packed with flavour, yet simple enough to whip up on a busy weeknight.
We've all been there... its the middle of the week and are all out of dinner ideas, suddenly super busy, or simply just want to make something quick and easy. Well let me take away some of that stress because this dish is super easy, quick and delicious- perfect to add to your meal rota. This dish is bold, creamy, and packed with flavour, yet super simple to make. Imagine juicy, tender chicken smothered in a smoky chipotle cream sauce—made with chipotle paste for just the right amount of heat—balanced perfectly with a rich, velvety texture. It’s the kind of meal that feels indulgent but is so easy to pull together. I like to pair my chipotle cream chicken with lemon turmeric rice, its fluffy, light, and the perfect refreshing sidekick to the creamy chicken!
One of the best parts? This meal is as practical as it is delicious. It's perfect for meal prep since both the chicken and rice reheat like a dream. I find it best to marinate the chicken at least 2 hours or even better overnight before cooking. Letting the chicken marinate overnight allows the flavours of the marinade to deeply penetrate the meat and allows the spices to release their full potential, making every bite more flavourful. Plus, it makes cooking on the day even quicker and easier- what's not to love?! So, why not make a big batch and enjoy those bold, comforting flavours throughout the week. Whether you pair it with a crisp side salad or eat it just as it is, you really can’t go wrong.
Whether you’re hosting friends, planning ahead, or just treating yourself to something extra special on a random weeknight, my Chipotle Cream Chicken with Lemon Turmeric Rice is bound to become a go-to favourite. Trust me, it’s that good!
Chipotle Cream Chicken with Lemon Turmeric Rice FAQs
Where can I buy chipotle paste?
Most supermarkets have chipotle paste available in the international foods aisle.
Why is my rice sticky and not fluffy?
This can happen due to a few reasons such as:
- Excess starch
- Using too much water
- Overcooking
To get perfectly fluffy rice, make sure to rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Measure out the correct amount of water, as using too much can result in the rice absorbing more liquid than necessary, causing it to clump together. Simmer the rice just until the water is absorbed, then remove it from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5–10 minutes.
What does it taste like?
The dish has a rich, smoky, and slightly spicy flavour from the chipotle paste, balanced by the creamy, savoury sauce. The lemon turmeric rice adds a fresh citrusy note with earthy warmth, complementing the boldness of the chicken. The combination is both comforting and flavour-packed.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1kg chicken thighs
- 3 regular tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/2 brown onion
- 125ml double cream
- 2 tbsp cream cheese
- 50g chipotle paste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Rice:
- 200g basmati rice
- 375ml water
- ½ lemon, zested
- 1 tsp turmeric
Chicken:
- 2kg chicken thighs
- 6 regular tomatoes
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 brown onion
- 250ml double cream
- 4 tbsp cream cheese
- 100g chipotle paste
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
Rice:
- 400g basmati rice
- 750ml water
- 1 lemon, zested
- 2 tsp turmeric
Chicken:
- 3kg chicken thighs
- 9 regular tomatoes
- 9 garlic cloves
- 1½ brown onions
- 375ml double cream
- 6 tbsp cream cheese
- 150g chipotle paste
- 3 tsp paprika
- 3 tsp salt
- 3 tsp black pepper
Rice:
- 600g basmati rice
- 1125ml water
- 1½ lemons, zested
- 3 tsp turmeric
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 35.3 oz chicken thighs
- 3 regular tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/2 brown onion
- 4.2 oz double cream
- 2 tbsp cream cheese
- 1.8 oz chipotle paste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Rice:
- 7.1 oz basmati rice
- 12.7 oz water
- ½ lemon, zested
- 1 tsp turmeric
Chicken:
- 70.6 oz (≈4.4 lbs) chicken thighs
- 6 regular tomatoes
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 brown onion
- 8.4 oz double cream
- 4 tbsp cream cheese
- 3.6 oz chipotle paste
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
Rice:
- 14.2 oz basmati rice
- 25.4 oz (≈3⅛ cups) water
- 1 lemon, zested
- 2 tsp turmeric
Chicken:
- 105.9 oz (≈6.6 lbs) chicken thighs
- 9 regular tomatoes
- 9 garlic cloves
- 1½ brown onions
- 12.6 oz double cream
- 6 tbsp cream cheese
- 5.4 oz chipotle paste
- 3 tsp paprika
- 3 tsp salt
- 3 tsp black pepper
Rice:
- 21.3 oz basmati rice
- 38.1 oz (≈4¾ cups) water
- 1½ lemons, zested
- 3 tsp turmeric
Instructions
- To make the marinade, boil the tomatoes, garlic cloves, and onion until softened.
- In a blender, combine the softened vegetables, double cream, cream cheese, and chipotle paste. Blend until smooth. Set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, season the chicken thighs with paprika, salt and black pepper.
- Pour the chipotle cream sauce over the chicken thighs, cover with cling film and leave to marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Once the chicken has marinated for your preferred time, preheat oven to 200°c and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Place the marinated chicken thighs on the lined tray and cook for 35 minutes.
- While the chicken cooks, rinse the basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs clear.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rice, water, lemon zest, and turmeric. Stir gently.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 12–15 minutes, or until the water is fully absorbed.
- Remove from heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
- Plate the turmeric lemon rice and top with the baked chipotle cream chicken.
- Spoon extra sauce over the chicken and garnish with sliced lemon and side salad if desired- enjoy!
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