- ½ cup yogurt
- 2 tomatoes
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 (2-inch) piece ginger
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 green chilies
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken (I use thighs)
- 1/3 cup oil
- 3 onions, thinly sliced
- 2 (2-inch) cinnamon sticks, broken into smaller pieces
- 2 or 3 green cardamom pods
- 3 cloves
- 1 cup orzo
- 2½ cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon saffron
- 1 tablespoon oil or butter
- 1 tablespoon sliced almonds
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint
- To marinate the chicken: Place the yogurt, tomatoes, cilantro, ginger, garlic, and green chilies in a blender and puree. Place the chicken in a bowl and toss with the marinade to coat. Set aside for at least 2 hours.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften and turn a golden shade of brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in the cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, and cloves.
- Add the chicken with marinade and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6 to 7 minutes, until the mixture is somewhat dry.
- Stir in the orzo and broth and bring to a simmer and cook for about 6 minutes.
- Stir in the saffron and turn off the heat. Cover and let this rest for 20 minutes (by now the mixture should be soft and pale brown).
- For the finish: Heat the oil and stir in the almonds and pine nuts and cook until pale golden. Stir in the mint. Add to the pilaf and serve immediately.