Hairy Bikers' cauliflower and chicken pilaf is a delicious, healthy lunch or light dinner option. It's so easy to make and tastes great too. This recipe serves 4 people and will take only 20 mins to prepare and cook. A portion of this mouth-watering pilaf works out at only 274 calories per serving. The Hairy Bikers say; 'Everyone loves a pilaf but the rice makes it quite a high calorie dish. But if you use cauliflower instead of rice you get all that lovely comforting flavour and texture with far fewer cals. We’re happy putting in the whole spices into our pilaf and we’re used to fishing them out as we eat but if you’re worried you could wrap them in a little bit of muslin.'
Ingredients
- 500g chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 large onion, sliced into thin crescents
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 5g fresh root ginger, finely chopped
- large pinch of saffron
- 1 tbsp vegetable or coconut oil
- 5 cardamom pods
- 2 x 3cm pieces of cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp fennel seeds (optional)
- 3 cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 250ml chicken stock
- 1 medium cauliflower (about 750g)
- flaked sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper
To serve:
- 1 tbsp pistachios
- ½ pomegranate
- small bunch of coriander or parsley
WEIGHT CONVERTER
Method
- First prepare the chicken. If using thighs, trim off any fat, then slice them thinly. If using chicken breasts, cut them into 2cm chunks. Peel and slice the onion into thin crescents. Finely chop the garlic and ginger. Put the saffron in a bowl with a little hot water and leave it to steep.
- Heat the oil in a large, lidded frying pan or a shallow casserole dish. When the pan is hot, add the chicken. Fry the chicken for a minute, stirring constantly, until the pieces have seared, then add the onion, garlic and ginger and fry for another couple of minutes. Add the whole spices and the bay leaves.
- Pour the stock and the saffron with its water into the pan, then season with salt and pepper. Stir vigorously, scraping up any brown bits from the base of the pan. Bring the stock to the boil, then leave to simmer while you prepare the cauliflower – this should take about 5 minutes. Cut up the cauliflower and blitz to the size of coarse breadcrumbs in a food processor – use the stalks as well as the florets.
- When the liquid has reduced so it just coats the base of the pan and the chicken and onion are tender, remove the chicken and most of the onion with a slotted spoon and keep them warm. Add the cauliflower to the pan and stir so it is coated with the remaining liquid and spices – it should start to turn a light ochre in patches.
- Cook over a medium heat for at least 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until the cauliflower is cooked through and the remaining liquid has evaporated. The cauliflower should be fluffy. Put half the chicken and onion back into the pan and stir it through the cauliflower, then add the rest on top.
- While the cauliflower is cooking, lightly crush or chop the pistachios and remove the seeds from the pomegranate. Serve the pilaf sprinkled with the pistachios, pomegranate seeds and herbs.
Top Tip for making Hairy Bikers' cauliflower and chicken pilaf
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Simon King and David Myers are the fantastic duo that make up the Hairy Bikers and are best known as Si and Dave. The Hairy Bikers have several cookbooks published including How to Love Food and Lose Weight and Eat for Life. Hairy Biker recipes are always triple tested and try to be as fuss-free as possible so you can trust the timings. Si and Dave have also had several hit cooking shows as they remain as one of the UK’s favourite cookery duos.
-
Herby chicken with Romesco sauce
Herby chicken flavoured simply with oregano with a rich Romesco sauce - which makes a great dip.
By Jessica Ransom Published
-
Hairy Bikers cardamom cookies
The Hairy Bikers cardamom cookies take 10 minutes to prepare and only use six ingredients.
By Hairy Bikers Last updated
-
Chicken with cannellini beany mash
Our chicken with cannellini beany mash costs £3.50 for two portions and takes just 5 minutes to prep
By Rose Fooks Published
-
Stuffed lamb shoulder with feta and apricot
Our stuffed lamb shoulder with feta and apricot is infused with lots of Middle Eastern flavours and it only takes 30 minutes of prep
By Rose Fooks Published
-
Stuffed spring leg of lamb with herby chutney
This stuffed spring leg of lamb with herby chutney is best made the night before so it can marinate and intensify in flavour.
By Jules Mercer Published
-
Easter coconut and lemon cake
This Easter coconut and lemon cake serves 12 and leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to three days.
By Jules Mercer Published
-
This cling film freezer hack is the packed lunch time-saver we all need
Apparently, we've all been storing our clingfilm wrong...
By Emma Dooney Published
-
Parenting researcher reveals how to talk to your kids about achievements in a healthy, non-toxic way
Celebrating your kids' achievements is always important, but there's other things to worry about too
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
"Wanting something and not having it is one of the hardest human experiences" - child psychotherapist Dr Becky shares why having tantrums is healthy
Sorry parents, it turns out tantrums are actually good for your kid's health. Expert Dr Becky Kennedy has explained why.
By Ellie Hutchings Published