Sheet Pan Curry Chicken and Carrots with Basmati Rice (Biryani)
Try this Sheet Pan Curry Chicken and Carrots with Basmati Rice Biryani recipe.
Try this Sheet Pan Curry Chicken and Carrots with Basmati Rice Biryani recipe.
- 6 tablespoons butter melted
- 3/4 teaspoon paprika
- pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 7 large carrots roughly chopped
- 4 large shallots sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt (for roasting carrots/shallots)
- 1 teaspoons minced garlic (i used jarred garlic)
- 2 teaspoons yellow curry powder
- 1 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 pounds chicken tenderloins thawed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt for chicken
- 2 packages precooked brown basmati rice*
- 2-3 cloves garlic smashed and cut in half (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt for the rice
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped, plus more to garnish
- 1/2 cup chopped cashews to garnish
- plain greek yogurt to garnish
- Carbohydrate 27.0639494587241 g
- Cholesterol 61.4986036297477 mg
- Fat 29.5590249912348 g
- Fiber 2.4990266212362 g
- Protein 14.6704220755788 g
- Saturated Fat 10.92459938393 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (185g)
- Sodium 454.0398083276 mg
- Sugar 24.5649228374879 g
- Trans Fat 3.14099546011652 g
- Calories 423 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Move the rack to the upper 1/3 of the oven.
- Roughly chop the carrots and add them to a large bowl.
- Slice the shallots and add them to the bowl. Make them roughly the same size as the carrots.
- Drizzle the carrots and shallots with olive oil, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste.
- Prepare a sturdy sheet pan with nonstick spray. Dump the mixture onto the pan and spread it out into a single layer. Save the bowl!
- Roast at 425 for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, use the same bowl from before to melt 6 tablespoons butter.
- Add the ginger, minced garlic, curry powder, and garam masala to the butter and stir together.
- In another medium bowl, add the chicken tenderloins. Make sure they are thawed. Add about 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture to the chicken. Just pour a little on to coat.
- Add 3/4 teaspoon paprika and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the chicken. Stir it together and set aside.
- Add the cooked rice to the bowl with the butter mixture.
- Smash 2-3 cloves of garlic and add to the bowl.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup cilantro to the bowl of rice and stir it all together. Set aside.
- When the carrots have roasted 20 minutes, remove from the oven but don't turn it off. Toss the carrots on the pan.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken in between the carrots and shallots, making sure it's sitting on the pan and not on top of veggies. Scrape all the seasoning from the bowl and make sure it gets on the pan.
- Dump the rice on top of the chicken and veggies, and spread to the edges of the pan.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of water over the rice.
- Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake on the same rack at 425 degrees for about 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the carrots are tender.
- Remove the foil and sprinkle with chopped cashews and more fresh cilantro.
- Serve with plain yogurt on the table.
Sheet Pan Curry Chicken and Carrots with Basmati Rice: A Weeknight Winner
As a busy working mom, finding time to cook a healthy and delicious dinner can feel like a Herculean task. Between juggling work deadlines, school pick-ups, and after-school activities, the last thing I want to spend my precious evening hours doing is slaving away over a hot stove. That's why I've become a huge fan of one-pan meals, and this Sheet Pan Curry Chicken and Carrots with Basmati Rice is a shining example of why. It’s flavorful, satisfying, and unbelievably easy to prepare, even on the busiest of weeknights.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Everything – the chicken, carrots, shallots, and even the rice – cooks together on a single sheet pan. This minimizes cleanup time, which is a major win in my book! I love the vibrant colors and aromatic spices; the curry powder and garam masala create a wonderfully fragrant and warming dish that’s perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner. The sweetness of the carrots perfectly balances the savory chicken and fragrant rice, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
Why this recipe works:
- One-pan wonder: Minimal cleanup is a huge plus for busy weeknights.
- Flavor explosion: The combination of curry powder, garam masala, and ginger creates a richly spiced and aromatic dish.
- Healthy and satisfying: Packed with protein and vegetables, this meal is both nourishing and delicious.
- Easy adaptability: Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking, or add other vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli.
- Make-ahead potential: The rice can be cooked ahead of time, saving you even more time on the day of cooking.
Tips and variations:
- Spice level: Adjust the amount of curry powder and garam masala to suit your spice preference. For a milder curry, use less spice; for a spicier kick, add more!
- Vegetable variations: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or zucchini. Just make sure to chop them into roughly the same size as the carrots and shallots to ensure even cooking.
- Protein swap: If you're not a fan of chicken, you can easily substitute with tofu, firm chickpeas, or even shrimp.
- Rice options: While I prefer pre-cooked brown basmati rice for convenience, you can use any type of rice you prefer. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Garnish galore: The cashews and fresh cilantro add a lovely crunch and freshness, but feel free to experiment with other garnishes such as chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds, or a dollop of plain yogurt.
Beyond the convenience and delicious flavor, this Sheet Pan Curry Chicken and Carrots with Basmati Rice is a versatile recipe that can be easily adapted to fit your dietary needs and preferences. It's a perfect weeknight meal that’s both healthy and satisfying. It's also a great way to introduce new flavors and textures to even the pickiest eaters. The kids love it, my husband raves about it, and it even leaves me feeling like I have a little extra time in my day to focus on the things that truly matter.
So, the next time you're feeling overwhelmed by the dinner dilemma, give this sheet pan recipe a try. You'll be amazed at how easy and delicious it is to create a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own home, even on the busiest of days. Trust me, it’s a recipe that will quickly become a weeknight staple in your household!
