Spiced Chicken Pilau with Cardamom and Cloves

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-12 · Updated 2026-06-12

Fragrant Tanzanian-style pilau rice cooked with tender chicken, aromatic spices like cardamom and cloves, creating a rich and flavorful one-pot meal. This african-inspired chicken ready in about 70 minutes pairs skin removed bone-in chicken thighs, medium, thinly sliced onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 460 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 45 min Serves 6 African cuisine 460 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs, skin removed bone-in chicken thighs
2 cups, rinsed and soaked for 20 minutes basmati rice
2 medium, thinly sliced onion
3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
4 tbsp vegetable oil
3.5 cups water or chicken broth
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
6 pods, lightly crushed green cardamom pods
4 cloves whole cloves
1 stick (2 inches) cinnamon stick
1 leaf bay leaf
2 tsp, divided salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup chopped for garnish fresh cilantro

Equipment for this recipe

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 4 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add 2 medium thinly sliced onions and sauté for 8-10 minutes until caramelized and golden brown.
Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger to the pot. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Add 1.5 lbs bone-in chicken thighs to the pot and brown on all sides for 6-7 minutes. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp ground coriander, coating the chicken and onions evenly.
Step 5: Add 6 lightly crushed green cardamom pods, 4 whole cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 bay leaf to the pot, stirring to release their aroma.
Step 6: Drain 2 cups rinsed and soaked basmati rice and add it gently over the chicken without stirring.
Step 7: Pour in 3.5 cups water or chicken broth and sprinkle 1 tsp salt evenly on top. Bring to a boil uncovered over high heat.
Step 8: Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 20 minutes until rice is fluffy and chicken is cooked through.
Step 9: Remove from heat and let the pilau rest covered for 10 minutes. Discard cinnamon stick and bay leaf.
Step 10: Fluff rice gently with a fork, garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and serve the aromatic chicken pilau hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Chicken Pilau with Cardamom and Cloves take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Spiced Chicken Pilau with Cardamom and Cloves?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, thinly sliced onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Chicken Pilau with Cardamom and Cloves?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Spiced Chicken Pilau with Cardamom and Cloves for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Spiced Chicken Pilau with Cardamom and Cloves?

African chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.