Tikka Chicken Rice Bowl with Pickled Red Onions
Charred tikka chicken over fluffy rice with crunchy cucumber, bright pickled onions and a squeeze of lime.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Tikka marinade. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 mins plus marinating
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.54 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Make your ready made tikka marinade and pickled red onions first (see the base recipes). Stir the chicken strips through 150 g of the marinade. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- 2
Rinse the rice and boil it in salted water for 10 to 12 minutes until tender. Drain and keep warm.
11 min - 3
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a high heat. Cook the chicken in two batches for 5 to 6 minutes until charred and white all the way through.
6 min - 4
Toss the cucumber and tomatoes with a pinch of salt and half the lime juice.
- 5
Divide the rice between four bowls and top with the chicken, cucumber salad, pickled red onions and coriander. Serve with the remaining lime.
Tips
- Cook in batches so the chicken fries rather than stews.
- Cool leftover rice quickly within 1 hour and refrigerate, reheating only once.
- Add a spoonful of yoghurt for extra creaminess.
Storing and freezing
Chicken and rice keep separately in the fridge for up to 2 days if cooled within 1 hour. Reheat rice only once, until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Is this good for meal prep?
Yes, for up to 2 days. Cool rice and chicken fast, store them in separate boxes and reheat until steaming hot. Add the fresh salad on the day.
Can I swap the rice?
Yes. Quinoa, brown rice or cauliflower rice all suit the bowl. Adjust cooking times as packet instructions say.
How spicy is it?
Mild to medium. The Kashmiri chilli adds colour more than heat, so most families enjoy it.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Pescado al Guajillo al Horno (Baked Fish in Guajillo Sauce)
DFEFNFRamen de Birria (Birria Ramen)
DFEFNFKorean Style Bulgogi Burgers
NFSticky Laksa Chicken Wings
DFEFNFSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
