Chicken and Rice Pilaf

Chicken and Rice Pilaf is a comforting, one-pot dish featuring tender chicken pieces cooked with fluffy, seasoned rice, often incorporating aromatic vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery. It's a staple in many cuisines across the Middle East, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe, with variations found from Turkey to Iran to Russia. The dish is known for its simplicity, versatility, and ability to feed a crowd with minimal ingredients.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is a balanced meal, providing a good source of protein from the chicken and carbohydrates from the rice, with moderate fat depending on the cooking method. It typically offers key nutrients like B vitamins, iron, and selenium, with a rough calorie ballpark of 400-550 calories per standard serving.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	350 kcal
Protein	25 g
Carbs	35 g
Fat	10 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	3 g
Sodium	600 mg
Potassium	350 mg
Phosphorus	200 mg
Niacin (B3)	8 mg
Vitamin B6	0.5 mg
Selenium	20 mcg
Iron	2 mg
Magnesium	30 mg
Zinc	2.5 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Pilaf is a culinary technique, not just a recipe, where rice is first sautéed in fat before simmering in broth—a method that ensures each grain remains separate and flavorful. Nutritionally, the combination of animal protein and plant-based carbohydrates makes it a complete, energy-dense meal that has sustained communities for centuries.