Chicken In Fennel & Poppy Seed Sauce

Ingredients

• Ingredients for Lemon Rice With Cilantro
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup water
• rind 1 lemon
• salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons clarified butter melted
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• Ingredients for Chicken and Poppy Seed Sauce
• 1 large onion diced
• 2 tablespoons clarified butter
• 4 chicken breasts boneless, skinless and cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and cardamom
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons ground white poppy seeds (I roast mine a bit)
• 1 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon rice flour
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons chopped coriander leaves (cilantro)

Instructions

1. 1
   Wash the rice well and drain. Put the rice in a microwaveable deep dish.
2. 2
   Add the chicken stock, water, lemon rind and salt. Let the rice soak for about 20 minutes.
3. 3
   Microwave the rice uncovered for 20 minutes. Stir well, and continue cooking for another 20 minutes at 50% power or until all the liquid is absorbed. Remove from the microwave oven, cover and set aside.
4. 4
   In a measuring cup, mix together the melted clarified butter, lemon juice and the chopped cilantro.
5. 5
   Drizzle over the cooked rice and fluff with a fork. Serve warm.
6. 6
   In a saucepan, sauté the diced onion in the clarified butter until slightly browned. Add the chicken pieces, salt, the ground cardamom, cinnamon, clove, ginger and garlic.
7. 7
   Cook over medium heat until the meat turns opaque. Add the chicken stock and remaining ingredients.
8. 8
   Cover and simmer until the meat is cooked and the sauce has thickened, 15 minutes approximately.
9. 9
   Serve warm with Lemon Rice or French baguette.