Fijian-Style Chicken Palau Recipe
Chicken Palau is a flavourful and aromatic dish that combines tender chicken, fragrant spices, and fluffy basmati rice. It’s a popular dish in many cuisines, including Fijian cuisine. The chicken is cooked with onions, garlic, and ginger. The result is a delicious one-pot meal that is perfect for sharing with family and friends. The spices add a warm and savoury flavour. It’s a dish that is sure to satisfy your taste buds and leave you wanting more.
Fiji-Style Chicken Palau is a popular dish among Fiji Indians, and is made on special occasions such as birthdays, weddings or just randomly anytime the heart desires to eat. It’s easy to make and it’s a perfect dinner for the family. Let’s dive into making this scrumptious dish that’s flavourful, aromatic and is heavenly on the plate.
Ingredients:
– 2 cups basmati rice
– 500g bone-in chicken, cut into pieces
– 1 onion, finely chopped
– 3 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
– 1 teaspoon cumin powder
– 1 teaspoon coriander powder
– ½ teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
– Palau Masala (adjust to taste)
– Salt to taste
– Fresh coriander for garnish
– Oil for cooking (preferably Ghee or Mustard Oil for a aromatic and heavenly taste)
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 15 minutes, then drain and set aside.
2. Heat oil of your choice in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
3. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pot and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
4. Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until they are browned on all sides.
5. Stir in the cumin powder, coriander powder, Palau masala, and chili powder. Mix well to coat the chicken with the spices.
6. Drain the soaked rice and add it to the pot. Stir gently to combine everything.
7. Pour in some water and season with salt to taste. Give it a good stir.
8. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and all the flavours are well combined.
9. Once the rice is cooked, fluff it up with a fork and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
10. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Chicken Palau.
Enjoy your delicious Chicken Palau with fresh salad or tomato chutney.
Note: you can also use this recipe to make a vegetarian Palau. Follow the same procedure but instead of chicken incorporate mixed vegetables or soya chunks and your vegetarian Palau is ready.
