Creamy Curry Chicken and Rice

Ingredients

• 3 cups water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt divided
• 1/4 teaspoon saffron crushed
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked basmati rice
• 1 (3-inch) stick cinnamon
• 1 lb. skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 tablespoon canola or light olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger peeled and minced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 serrano chili seeded and minced
• 1/2 cup dried cherries chopped if large
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup chopped cashews
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. 1
   In a medium saucepan, bring water, 1 teaspoon of the salt and the saffron to a boil. Add rice and cinnamon stick to pan. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Discard cinnamon stick and set rice aside.
2. 2
   Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sauté 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove chicken from pan; cover and keep warm. Add onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt to pan.
3. 3
   Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook onion 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add curry, ginger, cardamom, red pepper, garlic and serrano; cook 3 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently. Add dried cherries and stir in yogurt; cook 3 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly. (Nonfat yogurt will curdle but will be absorbed into the rice so it’s not noticeable.) Add chicken and cook about 4 minutes until thoroughly heated. Add cooked rice and stir well to combine. Garnish with chopped cashews and cilantro and serve.
4. 4
   If you are trying Meatless Mondays, substitute a can of rinsed and drained garbanzo beans for the chicken. Equally delicious and no need to cook in advance before adding them to the dish.