Chicken Kichdi / Chicken & Rice Casserole

A one pot dish made with rice, chicken, vegetables and lentil...almost like a chicken and rice casserole. Its a hearty meal ideal for babies and older kids especially when they are feeling unwell. 

Monsoon has started and Ovie has the flu. Its the best time for some warm soup but I have been unsuccessful in getting her to eat it. She just refuses to even taste soup. I wonder why? I made her some chicken soup but ended up eating it myself. Wondering how to get some chicken into her, I added a few pieces to the regular rice-dal kichdi and the result was delicious. Its unbelieving comforting and gives one a sense of warmth....the one you get when being wrapped up in your mother's arms.  

Chicken Kichdi / Chicken & Rice Casserole

Short grain rice: 1 cup

Thuvar Dal / Lentil: 1/2 cup

Chicken: 5-6 small pieces with bone

Assorted Vegetables: 1 cup diced (carrots, green peas, corn, potato, beans, cauliflower, spinach)

Onion: 1 finely chopped

Ginger-garlic paste: 1 tsp

Jeera / cumin seeds: 1 tsp

Ghee / Butter: 1 tbsp

Curry Leaves: 1 sprig

Coriander Leaves: 1 tbsp chopped

Turmeric Powder: 1/2 tsp

Salt: to taste

Garam masala: a pinch (optional)

• Wash rice and dal and soak in 3 cups water for 20 - 30 mins.
• Marinate chicken pieces in turmeric and salt for 10 - 15 mins.
• Heat ghee or butter in a pressure cooker. Add cumin seeds and splutter it. Add curry leaves.
• Now add chopped onion and ginger-garlic paste. Saute on low heat until it turns brown.
• Add the chicken and seer until the chicken gets a brown color on the skin. 
• Add all the vegetables and coriander leaves and saute for 3 mins along with the remaining seasonings and powders. 
• Add the rice and dal with 3 cup water. Close the cooker lid and cook for 3 whistles. 
• The consistency of the dish will be a soft and mushy. 
• Serve warm with a dollop of ghee or butter on top.