If you are looking for a dish that bursts with flavor, comfort, and a touch of elegance, you have to try this Creamy Pepper and Zucchini Chicken with Jasmine Rice Recipe. It combines tender chicken breast strips sautéed alongside sweet red and yellow peppers and fresh zucchini, all enveloped in a luscious creamy sauce enriched with ajvar and paprika. Paired perfectly with fragrant jasmine rice, this meal delivers a comforting, vibrant experience that’s great for sharing with family or friends on any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient plays a starring role in making this dish unforgettable. From the fragrant jasmine rice to the colorful peppers and creamy sauce, each component brings its own texture, flavor, and visual appeal to the plate. Here’s what you’ll need to gather before you get cooking:
- Jasmine rice (250 g): A fragrant, slightly sticky rice that perfectly complements the creamy sauce.
- Water (500 ml): Used to cook the jasmine rice just right, fluffy and tender.
- Salt (pinch): Balances and elevates every flavor.
- Butter (1 tsp, optional): Adds richness to the finished rice for an indulgent touch.
- Chicken breast fillets (2): The lean, tender protein that soaks up all the delicious sauce.
- Red and yellow peppers (1 each): Add sweetness, crunch, and beautiful color contrast.
- Small zucchini (1): Brings a fresh, mild flavor and vibrant green hue.
- Onion (1): Infuses the dish with natural sweetness and depth.
- Oil for frying (2 tbsp): Helps achieve that perfect golden sear on chicken and veggies.
- Vegetable stock (200 ml): Builds a flavorful base for the sauce.
- Cream (200 ml): Gives the sauce its silky, luscious texture.
- Ajvar (2 tbsp): A mild or hot red pepper relish adding smoky complexity.
- Paprika powder (1 tsp, sweet): Enhances color and delivers subtle warmth.
- Salt and pepper (to taste): Essential seasoning for balance.
- Cornstarch (1 tsp, optional): Allows you to thicken the sauce exactly how you like it.
How to Make Creamy Pepper and Zucchini Chicken with Jasmine Rice Recipe
Step 1: Perfectly Cook the Jasmine Rice
Start with rinsing the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents clumping. Then, bring 500 ml of water and a pinch of salt to a boil in a pot. Add the rinsed rice, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently for about 20 minutes until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender. For a little extra richness, stir in a teaspoon of butter at the end, then keep the rice warm while you prepare the chicken and vegetables.
Step 2: Prepare Your Fresh Vegetables
Wash and seed the red and yellow peppers, then slice them into thin strips for quick and even cooking. Cut the zucchini into similar-sized strips to match. Finely chop the onion to bring sweetness and softness to the dish. Having the veggies prepped and ready will help the cooking process flow smoothly.
Step 3: Brown the Chicken and Sauté the Vegetables
Heat two tablespoons of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. First, sauté the chopped onion until it turns translucent and softly fragrant. Add the chicken breast strips and cook until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust. This searing step locks in the juices and flavor. Then toss in the pepper and zucchini strips, sautéing them briefly so they retain a bit of crunch and vibrancy.
Step 4: Create the Creamy Pepper Sauce
Deglaze the pan by pouring in the vegetable stock, scraping up any tasty browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the vegetables to soften slightly. Next, stir in the cream, ajvar, paprika, and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Let everything simmer together for an additional 5 minutes to create that heavenly, creamy sauce.
Step 5: Adjust Sauce Thickness if Desired
If you prefer a thicker sauce, prepare a cornstarch slurry by mixing a teaspoon of cornstarch with a small amount of cold water. Gradually stir this into the sauce and cook for another minute or two until it thickens to your desired consistency. This step is totally optional but adds a lovely coating texture to your chicken and veggies.
How to Serve Creamy Pepper and Zucchini Chicken with Jasmine Rice Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes can really brighten up this dish. A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or basil adds a pop of color and fresh herbaceous notes that complement the creamy sauce beautifully. For a hint of tang, a wedge of lemon on the side is wonderful and invites your guests to customize each bite.
Side Dishes
This recipe is wonderfully complete on its own thanks to the jasmine rice, but if you want to round it out, consider pairing it with a crisp green salad or some steamed green beans. The freshness and crunch provide a nice contrast to the creamy softness of the main dish, making the meal even more satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, serve this creamy chicken over a neat mound of jasmine rice using a small bowl to shape the rice on each plate. Drizzle the sauce artistically around the plate’s edges for a restaurant-worthy presentation. Alternatively, you could serve it family-style in a beautiful casserole dish for a warm and inviting centerpiece that encourages sharing and conversation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The creamy sauce may thicken as it chills, but it will still taste delicious. Leftovers keep well for up to 3 days, making this a perfect make-ahead meal for busy weekday dinners.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked chicken and vegetable mixture, but note that the texture of some vegetables may soften further after freezing. Use freezer-safe containers and aim to consume within 1 month for the best flavor and quality. Freeze the jasmine rice separately to maintain its fluffy texture.
Reheating
When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water or stock to loosen the sauce if it has thickened. Avoid high heat to prevent the cream from curdling, and stir frequently until warmed through. Microwaving is also fine but use medium power and stir halfway through for even heating.
FAQs
Can I use other types of rice?
Absolutely! While jasmine rice is preferred for its fragrance and texture, you can swap it with basmati, long-grain white rice, or even brown rice for a nuttier flavor and extra fiber. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Is this dish spicy?
The Creamy Pepper and Zucchini Chicken with Jasmine Rice Recipe is normally mild, especially if you use mild ajvar. Feel free to use hot ajvar or add extra paprika or chili flakes if you like a spice kick.
Can I substitute the cream?
If you want a lighter option, you can use half-and-half or a plant-based cream alternative. Coconut cream can also work but will add a slightly different flavor that some may enjoy.
How do I make this recipe gluten-free?
This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you ensure the ajvar and stock you use contain no gluten additives. The cornstarch thickener is a great gluten-free option to adjust the sauce.
Can I add other vegetables?
Definitely! Feel free to toss in mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or spinach for extra color, texture, and nutrients. Just add them at suitable stages—spinach toward the end and mushrooms earlier with the peppers.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Creamy Pepper and Zucchini Chicken with Jasmine Rice Recipe a try because it’s one of those dishes that feels special yet is surprisingly easy to prepare. Its vibrant colors, creamy comfort, and the fragrant jasmine rice make for a meal that’s both nourishing and exciting to the taste buds. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or friends, this recipe will quickly become a beloved favorite in your kitchen rotation. Happy cooking!
Print
Creamy Pepper and Zucchini Chicken with Jasmine Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: European
Description
This Creamy Pepper and Zucchini Chicken recipe features tender chicken breast strips cooked with vibrant red and yellow peppers, zucchini, and aromatic onions in a rich, creamy ajvar-spiced sauce. Paired with fluffy jasmine rice, this dish offers a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for a family dinner, ready in just 45 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Rice:
- 250 g jasmine rice
- 500 ml water
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 tsp butter (optional)
For the Chicken and Vegetable Dish:
- 2 chicken breast fillets
- 1 red pepper
- 1 yellow pepper
- 1 small zucchini
- 1 onion
- 2 tbsp oil for frying
- 200 ml vegetable stock
- 200 ml cream
- 2 tbsp ajvar (mild or hot)
- 1 tsp paprika powder (sweet)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, to thicken)
Instructions
- Prepare rice: Place the jasmine rice in a pot and cover with cold water. Rinse gently with your hands until the water runs clear, then drain.
- Cook rice: Add 500 ml of water and a pinch of salt to the pot with the rinsed rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes until all water is absorbed. Optionally, stir in a teaspoon of butter and keep warm.
- Prepare vegetables: Wash the red and yellow peppers, along with the zucchini. Remove seeds from peppers and cut all vegetables into strips. Finely chop the onion.
- Sauté onion: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent and fragrant.
- Cook chicken: Cut the chicken breast fillets into strips. Add them to the pan with onions and fry until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Add vegetables: Add the pepper and zucchini strips to the pan with the chicken. Stir-fry briefly to combine.
- Deglaze and simmer: Pour in the vegetable stock to deglaze the pan. Let the mixture simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes to soften the vegetables and develop flavor.
- Add cream and seasonings: Stir in the cream, then season the dish with salt, pepper, and sweet paprika powder. Add the ajvar and continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Thicken sauce (optional): If a thicker sauce is desired, mix the cornstarch with a little cold water to make a slurry. Stir this into the simmering sauce and cook until it reaches the preferred consistency.
- Serve: Plate the creamy pepper and zucchini chicken alongside the fluffy jasmine rice and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Ajvar can be mild or hot depending on your spice preference.
- Using cornstarch slurry helps achieve a thicker sauce consistency if desired.
- Butter in the rice is optional but adds a richer flavor.
- Jasmine rice is ideal for its fragrant aroma and texture but can be substituted with basmati rice if preferred.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute the cream with coconut cream or a plant-based cream alternative.
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