Southern-Style Chicken and Rice: Chicken Pilau

 There are so many variations of this recipe throughout South Carolina but the most referenced date back to the around the Civil War, 1861 to 1865. These Civil War era recipes are often very plain and were treated more as a guideline rather than how we know recipes to be written today. Back then, recipes most often left seasonings and spices and other variations off the list of ingredients and left the seasonings and spiced up to the people cooking the dish to use what they had on hand.

It’s no wonder that this dish is very popular in the Lowcountry as it has grown as a part of the culture now and is the one I have selected to celebrate “Cultural Diversity Day” with my coworkers. For dessert, I am also going to bring my Benne Wafers. Each of these dishes is steeped in South Carolina’s history and traditions and is perfect to celebrate cultural diversity day with my co-workers.

How do I make Chicken Pilau?

1. Saute the vegetables. Photo 1 below.
2. Brown the rice. Photo 2 below.
3. Add the chicken stock and simmer. Photo 3 below.
4. Stir in the chicken and sausages. Photo 4 below.

For full recipe directions, see the printable recipe card below.

1. Saute the vegetables

3. Add the chicken stock and simmer.

2. Brown the rice.

4. Stir in the chicken and sausages.

What ingredients are in Chicken Bog? 

• Shredded chicken – I use leftover roasted chicken or rotisserie chicken.
• Smoked Sausage – I use Adelle’s Andouille sausages which are also gluten-free. 
• Bell pepper – red, yellow, or green – use whichever is your favorite or that you have on hand.
• Onion – I use sweet onions like Vidalia but you can also use a brown onion if you prefer.
• Carrot – we use fresh carrot rounds that we quarter, but you can also use frozen carrots. 
• Celery – We enjoy the flavor from the celery, if you do not have a stalk or two of celery, you can omit it without substitution.
• Rice – do not use quick-cooking rice. You need whole long-grain rice for the recipe. 
• Chicken Stock – I use unsalted chicken cooking stock that is gluten-free. You may use your favorite brand but if you use salted chicken stock, remember to decrease the salt in your overall dish.
• Parsley – I use fresh slat-leaf Italian parsley that has been minced. I stir this in right at the end and enjoy the pop of brightness it gives to the dish. 
• Hot Sauce – optional. Your favorite brand is always the best. 

For exact measurements, see the printable recipe card below.

Lowcountry Chicken Pilau

There are many variations for this dish, but Chicken Pilau is a southern-style chicken and rice dish which is classic comfort food.

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Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 28 minutes

Total Time: 43 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 592kcal

Author: Ronda Eagle | Kitchen Dreaming

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoons olive oil1 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup onion diced1 cup onion diced
• 1/2 green bell pepper diced1/2 green bell pepper diced
• 1 large carrot diced1 large carrot diced
• 2 stalks celery diced2 stalks celery diced
• 2 cups long-grain rice2 cups long-grain rice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt , more or less to taste1/2 teaspoon salt , more or less to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper , more or less to taste1/4 teaspoon ground pepper , more or less to taste
• 3 cups chicken broth (i use unsalted cooking stock that's also GF)3 cups chicken broth (i use unsalted cooking stock that's also GF)
• 2 cups shredded chicken leftover, roasted, or rotisserie2 cups shredded chicken leftover, roasted, or rotisserie
• 1 lb smoked sausage sliced into rounds and then quartered. Andouille is our favorite but you can use your favorite. 1 lb smoked sausage sliced into rounds and then quartered. Andouille is our favorite but you can use your favorite.
• 2 tablespoons parsley minced, mixed in and a sprinkle as garnish2 tablespoons parsley minced, mixed in and a sprinkle as garnish
• Hot Sauce Your favorite brand is aways best.Hot Sauce Your favorite brand is aways best.

Instructions

• In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil medium-high heat, add the chopped onion, green pepper, carrots, and celery. Saute until the onion is tender.
• Add the rice and saute, stirring, until lightly browned.
• Season with the 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Add the 2 cups chicken broth to the skillet.
• Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer over low heat for 15 to 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and liquid absorbed. Stir the shredded chicken, smoked sausage, and minced parsley into the rice; allow to heat through, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Taste and adjust seasonings with additional salt and pepper, if desired. Garnish with additional minced parsley, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (1/6th of recipe) | Calories: 592kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 1290mg | Potassium: 520mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2516IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Vitamin D: 1µg | Vitamin E: 1mg | Vitamin K: 29µg | Calcium: 71mg | Folate: 25µg | Iron: 3mg | Zinc: 3mg

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy, and is sourced from the USDA Food Database.

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