🍗🍅🥑🍚 Grilled Chicken Thighs with Avocado Tomato Salad & Saffron Rice
🍽️ Servings: 4
⏱️ Prep Time: 25 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: 25 minutes
🌿 Total Time: ~50 minutes
📝 Ingredients
🍗 For the Grilled Chicken Thighs:
1½ lbs (about 6) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 tbsp olive oil
1½ tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
Juice of 1 lemon 🍋
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional: chili flakes for a kick 🌶️
🍚 For the Saffron Rice:
1½ cups basmati or jasmine rice
2¾ cups water or chicken broth
1 pinch saffron threads (about ¼ tsp)
1 tbsp warm water (to bloom the saffron)
1 tbsp butter or olive oil
Salt to taste
Optional garnish: chopped parsley or slivered almonds
🥑🍅 For the Avocado Tomato Salad:
1 ripe avocado, diced 🥑
1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved 🍅
¼ red onion, finely chopped
Juice of ½ lime or lemon 🍋
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish 🌿
🍳 Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, mix olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Add chicken thighs and coat thoroughly. Let marinate for at least 20 minutes (or up to 8 hours in the fridge).
2. Prepare the Saffron Rice
Soak saffron threads in 1 tbsp warm water for 5 minutes to bloom.
Rinse rice until water runs clear. In a pot, combine rice, water/broth, bloomed saffron (including liquid), butter, and salt.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until tender. Fluff with a fork before serving.
3. Grill the Chicken
Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
Grill chicken thighs 5–6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked (internal temp 165°F/74°C) and nicely charred.
Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
4. Make the Avocado Tomato Salad
In a bowl, gently toss avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Add herbs if using. Keep chilled until serving.
5. Plate and Serve
Spoon saffron rice onto each plate.
Top with sliced grilled chicken thighs.
Serve avocado tomato salad on the side or over the top.
Garnish with herbs, a drizzle of olive oil, or lemon wedges. ✨
💡 Tips & Variations
🧄 Add a garlicky yogurt or tahini sauce drizzle for extra richness.
🥬 Serve over a bed of greens for a light, grain bowl-style variation.
🍋 No saffron? Use a pinch of turmeric and lemon zest for a golden alternative.
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