Il Cucinologo
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Arancini with Basmati Rice, Chicken and Curry

26/11/2023

Sure! Remember that arancino is a classic Sicilian dish, and is typically prepared with risotto rice such as Carnaroli or Arborio. However, today I’m presenting an exotic variant that uses basmati rice, chicken and curry to give a fusion touch to the dish.

Ingredients

  • 200 g basmati rice
  • 300 g chicken breast
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 2 tablespoons curry powder
  • Chicken broth as needed
  • 100 g frozen peas
  • 2 eggs
  • Breadcrumbs as needed
  • Flour as needed
  • Salt as needed
  • Pepper as needed
  • Oil for frying
  • 50 g butter
  • Grated Parmesan as needed (optional)
  • 100 g mozzarella cut into cubes (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start by cooking the basmati rice in salted water following the instructions to obtain rice that is not too soft, as it will be fried later. Drain the rice and let it cool.

  2. While the rice cools, cut the chicken breast into small cubes. Finely chop the onion and garlic. In a pan, melt the butter and sauté the onion and garlic until they become translucent.

  3. Add the chicken cubes and brown over medium heat. Season with curry, salt and pepper, then cook for about 10 minutes.

  4. Add a little chicken broth if necessary to prevent the mixture from drying out too much and add the peas. Continue cooking until the peas are tender and the chicken is cooked. Let the chicken mixture cool.

  5. Beat the eggs in a bowl. Prepare two separate plates with flour and breadcrumbs.

  6. Take a handful of basmati rice, create a space in the center for the filling. Add a spoonful of the chicken and curry mixture, and if desired, also add a piece of mozzarella. Close the arancino forming a ball or cone, making sure the filling is well sealed inside.

  7. Coat each arancino first in flour, then in the beaten egg, and finally in breadcrumbs, ensuring it is well covered.

  8. Fry the arancini in hot oil until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

  9. Serve the arancini hot and crispy.

The arancini with basmati rice, chicken and curry are a delicious variation that blends Sicilian tradition with the exotic flavors of India. The basmati rice gives a particular texture and the addition of curry and chicken makes this dish an excellent candidate to surprise your guests with something different from the usual.