Garlic Chicken and Rice Bowl with Basil Yogurt

Instructions

1. 1

   Rinse 70 g basmati rice under cold water until it runs clear. Put it in a small saucepan with 130 ml water and a pinch of the salt. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook on low until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 12 minutes. Take it off the heat and keep it covered.

   ~12 min

   Skill · Absorption rice

   Use a tight-fitting lid and keep the heat low; resist stirring. The rice is done when the water is gone and small steam holes appear on the surface.

   Why?

   Rinsing removes surface starch so the grains cook up separate instead of gluey.

2. 2

   While step 1 cooks

   While the rice cooks, grate or finely chop 1 garlic clove. In a bowl, stir together 60 g Greek yogurt, the grated garlic, the juice of half a lemon, 0.25 tsp salt and a pinch of black pepper. Set the dressing aside.

   ~3 min

   Why?

   Grating garlic releases more allicin, giving the yogurt a sharper, more even flavor.

3. 3

   Pat 150 g chicken breast dry and season both sides with 0.25 tsp salt, the remaining black pepper and 0.5 tsp oregano. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high. Add the chicken and cook until golden and cooked through to 74°C/165°F, about 5 minutes per side. Move it to a board and rest 3 minutes.

   ~13 min

   Skill · Searing

   Pat the chicken dry and wait for the oil to shimmer before adding it. Don't move it until it releases easily and is deeply golden, or you'll tear the crust.

   Why?

   Searing at high heat triggers Maillard browning, building savory flavor while the chicken cooks through.

   Chef's tip

   Let the chicken rest before slicing so the juices stay in the meat instead of running onto the board.

4. 4

   While step 3 rests

   While the chicken rests, add 80 g cherry tomatoes and the remaining sliced garlic clove to the same skillet over medium heat. Cook until the tomatoes soften and their skins split and the garlic is fragrant but not browned, about 3 minutes.

   ~3 min

   Why?

   Blistering softens the tomatoes and concentrates their sweetness while the garlic blooms without burning.

   Chef's tip

   Bloom the second garlic clove only until fragrant, not browned, or it turns bitter and overpowers the yogurt.

5. 5

   Slice the rested chicken against the grain. Spoon the rice into a bowl, top with the chicken and blistered tomatoes, spoon over the garlic yogurt dressing and finish with torn fresh basil leaves.

   ~3 min