5 chicken and rice recipes from around the world

Chicken and rice are one of the most common pairings in home cooking. Nearly every cuisine has its own version, and it is easy to see why. Chicken brings the savoury, satisfying heart of a meal, while rice gives it a mild, comforting base that soaks up every drop of sauce and spice around it.

Together they are endlessly adaptable, turning up as a quick staple supper in one country and a celebration’s centrepiece in another. Strap on your apron and cook your way around the world with the five recipes below, proving just how far a pan of chicken and rice can travel.

1. Chicken curry

Chicken curry is a great weeknight all-rounder that combines tender chicken simmered in a spiced coconut and tomato sauce. What makes it such a favourite is its mild and creamy taste with just the right amount of spice. The spicing is warm rather than fierce, made milder by coconut milk so the whole family can enjoy the dish. It comes together in about an hour, pretty much looking after itself once it is cooking in the pot.

Chicken curry is meant to be spooned over plain rice, which soaks up the generous sauce and rounds out the meal. Fluffy long-grain rice, like basmati, is a great fit for absorbing the curry. A final spoon of Lurpak® stirred through at the end lifts the sauce, adding a smooth richness that works well with the warm spices.

Best for: weeknight dinners, comfort food, and flexible, crowd-pleasing meals.

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2. Chicken biryani

Chicken biryani is a fragrant dish of spiced rice and marinated chicken. It is the showpiece of South Asian cooking and stands out for its deep flavours. The chicken is steeped in a spice-mixed yoghurt marinade before cooking, so the flavour runs right through every piece, while whole spices like cinnamon and cardamom add their warm aromas.

Basmati is one of the best types of rice you can use for chicken biryani. Its long, slender grains stay separated and soak in the aromatics without turning heavy. It is the kind of dish saved for guests and gatherings. That said, chicken biryani tastes so delicious that it is a great way to bring incredible flavour into ordinary weekdays. For more ways to elevate your rice, explore our guide to flavoured rice.

Best for: special occasions, aromatic rice dishes, and meals worth making into an event.

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3. Chicken mandi

Spiced rice and juicy chicken make a great combo, as seen in chicken mandi. This dish has spread across the Arabian Peninsula, a Yemeni classic with a distinctly smoky signature. A piece of charcoal is lit and rested in the pot at the end, so the whole dish takes on a gentle, barbecued aroma.

Long-grain basmati is the rice of choice, cooked in the spiced stock, so it turns fragrant and golden under the chicken. A good measure of Lurpak® rubbed into the chicken with the spices is what keeps it succulent and crisps the skin, giving the meat somewhere for its flavour to build from. Warm with cumin, saffron, and dried lime, mandi is made for sharing and brought to the table on a single platter for all to enjoy.

Best for: shared meals, lovers of fragrant rice, and cooking that feels a little special.

Go to chicken mandi recipe

4. Chicken kabsa

Chicken kabsa is the beloved one-pot rice dish of the Gulf, widely considered the national dish of Saudi Arabia. The chicken is browned first, then the rice is cooked in the resulting spiced stock, so nothing is lost and every bit of flavour ends up in the dish.

A bright spice mix with a hint of lime sets it apart, giving the dish a fresh citrus note that balances its warmth, while a sprinkle of toasted almonds on top adds crunch. Basmati is the rice to reach for, cooking up light and separate as it soaks in the seasoning. It works equally well as a simple family dinner or the centrepiece of a celebration. For more practical advice, explore our one-pot rice tips.

Best for: family dinners, spiced one-pot meals, and relaxed celebratory food.

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5. Chicken maqluba

"Upside-down" is the literal meaning of chicken maqluba, and that is exactly how it is served. Chicken, aubergine, tomato, and spiced rice are layered into a single pot, cooked together, then flipped out onto a platter, so the whole thing arrives as a striking dome. The dramatic reveal is worth waiting for and finishes a dish that pairs impressive presentation with traditional comfort food.

Basmati is once again the rice of choice here. It is gently spiced with allspice, turmeric, and cinnamon for a really comforting flavour. The rice cooks in the chicken stock and takes on flavours from every layer above it. The stunning presentation is not just for show; it allows every ingredient to add as much flavour as possible.

Best for: impressive presentation, layered cooking, and traditional comfort food.

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Getting the rice right every time

Whichever of these dishes tempts you first, the rice deserves as much care as the chicken, since it is the base that carries the whole plate. Different dishes call for different choices, from the separate, fluffy grains of a biryani to the stock-soaked rice of a kabsa. Knowing your basmati from your Calrose or any other rice makes all the difference, and our guide to the types of rice covers just that. The cooking method matters just as much. Getting the ratios and timings right is worth mastering on its own, and this guide on how to cook white rice takes you through the basics.

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