The Halal Guys style Chicken & Rice everyone should know how to make

Summary

This video dives into the recipe for the beloved street food platter of marinated chicken and yellow rice, popular in New York City. The creator demonstrates how to make both the legendary white and spicy red sauces, followed by a flavorful marinade for the chicken thighs. The process of cooking the chicken and preparing the aromatic rice is shown, with tips on seasoning and achieving the perfect texture. The final dish is assembled with fresh vegetables, topped with the two sauces, and served with a side of pita, bringing a comforting and delicious experience that can easily be recreated at home.

Takeaways

• 😀 The marinated chicken and yellow rice dish from New York City's street food scene is a simple yet satisfying comfort food.
• 😀 The classic platter includes seasoned chicken thighs, yellow rice, fresh vegetables, and two key sauces: red hot sauce and white sauce.
• 😀 The white sauce is made from mayo, Greek yogurt, white vinegar, black pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice, and optionally smoked paprika and oregano.
• 😀 The red sauce is spicy, made with cayenne powder, red pepper flakes, vinegar, water, and lemon juice, and simmered for 10 minutes to reduce.
• 😀 Chicken thighs are marinated in a spiced mayo mixture with cumin, garlic, lemon juice, and oregano, and should be allowed to marinate for a few hours or up to two days for best results.
• 😀 The chicken thighs are cooked by searing them on medium-high heat until browned, then chopped directly in the pan to avoid extra cleanup.
• 😀 Yellow rice is made by toasting cumin seeds, turmeric, smoked paprika, bay leaf, and onion in butter before adding basmati rice, chicken broth, and cooking for 20 minutes.
• 😀 A small amount of butter can be added to the rice after cooking for extra gloss and flavor.
• 😀 The dish is assembled by layering the chicken and rice on a plate, adding fresh sliced lettuce and tomatoes, and drizzling with white sauce and a smaller amount of red sauce.
• 😀 The final dish is a flavorful, comforting meal, with the spicy red sauce balancing out the creamy white sauce, and it’s perfect as a meal or as leftovers.

Q & A

What is the primary dish discussed in the video?

The primary dish discussed in the video is a marinated chicken and yellow rice platter, which is commonly found on the streets of New York City, specifically from the Halal Guys food carts.

What makes the white sauce in the recipe unique?

The white sauce is unique because it combines mayo and Greek yogurt for a tangy flavor, with additional ingredients like white vinegar, black pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice, oregano, and smoked paprika.

How spicy is the red sauce in the recipe?

The red sauce is quite spicy, with a heat level around 100,000 to 130,000 Scoville units, which is significantly hotter than a jalapeno pepper (around 3,000 Scoville units).

What ingredients are used to make the red sauce?

The red sauce is made with ground cayenne powder, red pepper flakes, salt, sugar, white vinegar, water, and lemon juice, which are blended together and simmered for about 10 minutes.

Why is marinating the chicken thighs important?

Marinating the chicken thighs allows the flavors of the spices and seasonings, such as cumin, garlic, and mayo, to penetrate the meat, making it more flavorful and tender when cooked.

What is the recommended marination time for the chicken?

It is recommended to marinate the chicken for at least a couple of hours, but it can be left to marinate for up to a day or two for enhanced flavor.

How should the chicken thighs be cooked for the dish?

The chicken thighs should be cooked in a pan over medium-high heat, seared to develop browning on both sides. Once nearly cooked, chop the chicken directly in the pan to reduce cleanup.

What makes the rice in this recipe so flavorful?

The rice is flavored with cumin seeds, turmeric, smoked paprika, bay leaf, and finely minced onion, then cooked in chicken broth for added depth of flavor.

What is the significance of the pita in the dish?

The pita adds a comforting texture and completes the dish, though it may seem redundant with the rice. It's a nostalgic element for many who have enjoyed similar dishes from food carts in New York City.

How can you adjust the heat level of the red sauce?

To adjust the heat level of the red sauce, you can either reduce the amount of cayenne powder or red pepper flakes, or substitute a milder hot sauce for a less intense spice level.