Chicken And Basmati Rice Pilau With Saffron, Spinach, And Cardamom

• 1 1/2 cups uncooked basmati rice
• 3/4 cup dried lentils
• Cooking spray
• 10 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 1 1/4 pounds)
• 2 cups vertically sliced onion
• 2 teaspoons chopped peeled fresh ginger
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• 4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon grated orange rind
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 orange)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 1/2 cups warm fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 1/8 teaspoon saffron threads, crushed
• 1 (6-ounce) package fresh baby spinach, coarsely chopped
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1/2 cup blanched almonds

1. Cover rice with cold water. Let stand for 20 minutes. Drain and rinse the rice with cold water. Drain.
2. Sort and rinse lentils. Place lentils in a small saucepan; cover with water to 2 inches above lentils. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes or until almost tender. Drain.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 4 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Remove chicken from pan. Add onion and ginger to pan; saute 7 minutes or until tender. Add carrot and cardamom; saute 2 minutes. Return chicken to pan. Add rice, lentils, rind, juice, salt, and pepper. Combine broth and saffron; stir until saffron is dissolved. Add saffron mixture to pan; bring to a simmer. Cover and cook 15 minutes or until rice is almost tender and liquid is absorbed. Stir in spinach. Remove from heat. Cover with a towel; place lid over towel. Let stand 10 minutes.
4. Melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add almonds; cook 5 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring frequently. Sprinkle almonds over chicken mixture.

basmati rice, dried lentils, cooking spray, skinless, onion, fresh ginger, carrot, cardamom pods, orange rind, orange juice, salt, black pepper, chicken broth, saffron threads, baby spinach, butter, blanched almonds

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-basmati-rice-pilau-with-saffron-spinach-cardamom (may not work)