Tandoori Chicken Over Rice is a vibrant, flavourful twist on the classic halal cart style chicken and rice. Inspired by the bold, aromatic flavours of South asian & Middle Eastern spices. This dish combines flavourful chicken thighs, fragrant rice, and a creamy white sauce for a meal that’s truly satisfying. Chicken over rice is a blank canvas type meal with endless flavour possibilities- this tandoori one just might be my new favourite.
Here’s how its made
The chicken thighs are the star of the dish, marinated in a mixture of garlic, tandoori masala, coriander, and more earthy spices. This combination of spices creates robust flavour with a slight heat and a hint of citrus from the lemon juice. The yogurt in the marinade helps tenderize the chicken, while olive oil gives it a nice sear when cooked. After marinating, grill or sear the chicken until golden brown and crispy on the edges, locking in those flavours. The result is a deliciously flavourful and tender chicken that pairs perfectly with the fluffy, aromatic rice.
The rice is infused with ghee, Middle Eastern seven-spice, and cardamom pods, giving it a warm, fragrant base that complements the bold flavors of the chicken. The ghee adds a subtle richness, while the spices and bouillon bring savory depth to the rice. The rice is soft and fluffy, which creates a satisfying bed for the tandoori chicken to lay on.
Every good chicken & rice dish needs that addicting white sauce. I make it by combining plain yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon, and a touch of sugar. The sauce adds a cooling contrast to the heat of the tandoori seasoning and ties the dish together with a creamy, tangy finish.
This Tandoori Chicken Over Rice is perfect for those who love the classic meal but want something new. Whether you’re enjoying it for a casual dinner or serving it to impress guests, this dish is sure to become a new favorite. The combination of the juicy spiced chicken, aromatic rice, and creamy sauce creates a perfect balance—making every bite a satisfying experience.
Tandoori Spice
I like to use a very specific brand tandoori spice by a brand called Kissan. It’s recommended by my desi mother-in-law so you know it’s the good stuff. You may be able to find it at your local middle eastern/south asian market or simply order it on amazon by clicking here. This specific brand makes their tandoori spice with a subtle sweetness which nicely balances out the intense spices.
Tandoori Chicken over Rice
Chicken over rice is a classic that never gets boring- it serves as a blank canvas ready for whatever flavours you want to embrace and this Tandoori version might just be a top flavour profile when it comes to this go-to dinner.
Ingredients
White Sauce
Rice
Salad
Instructions
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Add boneless skinless chicken thighs to a large bowl. Season with minced garlic, ground coriander, smoked paprika, tandoori masala, cumin, middle eastern seven spice, black pepper, white pepper, salt, lemon juice, olive oil, and plain yogurt. Massage the mixture into the chicken thoroughly and marinate for at least 15 minutes, ideally for several hours.
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Make the white sauce by combining mayonnaise, plain yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and pepper. Blend the ingredients together using an immersion blender until smooth and refrigerate until ready to use.
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Wash and drain the basmati rice 4-8 times until the water runs mostly clear, then cover the rice with more water and set it aside to soak until ready to cook.
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To make the rice, add ghee to a pot on medium-high heat. Then, add in a chicken bouillon cube, seven spice, cardamom pods, and the washed and drained basmati rice. Toast the rice with the spices for about 1 minute. Pour in water, add salt if desired and stir to combine. Increase the heat to high until it comes to a vigorous boil then cover with a lid and reduce the heat to simmer on low for 15-20 minutes.
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To cook the chicken, add ghee to a pan on medium-high heat. Sear the tandoori chicken for about 8-10 minutes per side until cooked through and golden. Transfer the cooked chicken to a large bowl and then chop up the chicken into very small bite sized chunks.
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Return the chicken chunks to the same pan on high heat. Add a little more tandoori spice to enhance color and flavor if desired, and fry up the chicken for 2-3 minutes occasionally covering with a lid until slightly charred.
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Serve with a chopped lettuce, cucumber, and tomato salad (do not add dressing to the salad- the white sauce is the dressing). Drizzle white sauce and hot sauce all over the dish & garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Salam! Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Thank you so much Rima!
Salams, this is the best chicken rice dish ever I make this at least once a week definitely a family favourite 😍
So happy you love it Jen!
Awesome recipe! Absolutely loved it! Must go for it without any second thoughts!
Me and my husband absolutely love this dish, the best chicken & rice I’ve ever had. So flavorful I make this all the time ♥️
Hello I’m in Australia and want to try this I can only find lebanease7 spice is that the same as middle eastern 7 spice? Thank you 🙏
yes, its the same!
This was soo good. JazaakumAllah for the recipe! It was a big hit with all my kids too!
Me and my sister made it for the family and everyone loved it.
Super delicious. 🙏🏼
It was really good! My whole family loved it and now we have made it a lot of times.
I made this for lunch for this week and it was so delicious. Added some paprika and turmeric to the rice for color (plus cardamom powder because I don’t have the pods). Other than that, I followed the recipe as listed out. I will definitely be making this again especially for Ramadan. It’s so easy and healthy. 10/10. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe with us🫶🏽
I love this dish, made it several times. Always a hit, thank you 🙂
Not bad for a college student like me sometimes either. Absolute banger.
I’ve made this a few times and it’s great! It’s in our rotation of favorite recipes
Wow sister you are amazing!! 💖 Jazakallahu khayran for sharing the amazing recipes. I love so many of your recipes and you’ve made cooking more of a joy in my kitchen 🫶
Did a bit of modifications here and there as I didnt have the 7 spice and some other stuff but came out so good! My toddler loved it too so says a lot! Thanks for the most easy and amazing recipe.