Armenian Chicken & Walla Walla Onion Pilaf

A one-skillet Armenian-inspired chicken pilaf featuring sweet, peak-summer Washington Walla Walla onions and warm spices.

Ingredients

  • Foster Farms Fresh & Natural Chicken Thighs Value Pack
    1 lb $1.49
  • Private Selection® Walla Walla Sweet Onions
    12 oz $3.99
  • Kroger® Jasmine Rice
    1/2 cup, dry $3.89
  • Parsley
    1/4 cup chopped $1.29
  • Garlic
    2 cloves
  • Lemon juice
    1 tablespoon
  • Olive oil
    2 tablespoons
  • Ground cumin
    1 teaspoon
  • Sweet paprika
    1 teaspoon
  • Ground allspice
    1/4 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt
    1 teaspoon
  • Black pepper
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Water
    1 cup

Instructions

  1. Thinly slice 12 ounces Walla Walla sweet onions and mince 2 garlic cloves. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a deep 12-inch skillet over medium heat; cook the prepared vegetables for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden.
  2. Pat 1 pound chicken thighs dry and season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Push the softened vegetables to the edges, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, and sear over medium-high heat for 4 minutes per side.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add 1/2 cup dry jasmine rice, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; stir around the seared pieces for 1 minute.
  4. Pour in 1 cup water, scraping up the browned bits. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 18 minutes, until the grains are tender and the thickest piece reaches 165°F.
  5. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it stand, covered, for 5 minutes so the pilaf finishes steaming and the juices settle.
  6. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and scatter with 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Divide the skillet contents between two shallow bowls, placing the seared pieces on top, and serve.

Total time: 45 minutes

Estimated cost: About $5–$7 using proportional ingredient costs

Health notes: Approximately 670 calories per serving, with about 38 grams of protein and a balanced portion of rice and vegetables.

Drink pairing: A light Grenache complements the warm spices and deeply browned sweet onions.