Main Course · Dinner · Caribbean · African ·

Aromatic Mauritian Chicken Kalia with Saffron Rice

Name: Aromatic Mauritian Chicken Kalia with Saffron Rice
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs chicken, cut into pieces; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 large onion, thinly sliced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated; 1 tsp turmeric powder; 1 tsp ground coriander; 1 tsp cumin powder; 1 tsp garam masala; 2 cups coconut milk; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1.5 cups basmati rice; 2 cups water; 1 pinch saffron threads; 1 tbsp ghee or butter; 2 cardamom pods; Salt, to taste; Fresh cilantro, chopped; Fried onions, optional

Experience the vibrant flavors of Mauritius with this chicken kalia, a blend of spices and tender chicken served with fragrant saffron rice.

5(79 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·November 7, 2025

Aromatic Mauritian Chicken Kalia with Saffron Rice — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

35 min

Cook

1 h 45 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Chicken Kalia

For the Saffron Rice

For Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 763 kcal
Protein: 30.5 g
Carbs: 64.25 g
Fat: 41.5 g
Fiber: 1.25 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 3053 kcal
Protein: 122 g
Carbs: 257 g
Fat: 166 g
Fiber: 5 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1.5 lbs chicken cut into pieces	680	90	0	34	0
2 tbsp vegetable oil	240	0	0	28	0
1 large onion thinly sliced	44	1	10	0	1
4 garlic cloves minced	18	1	4	0	0
1 tbsp fresh ginger grated	5	0	1	0	0
1 tsp turmeric powder	8	0	1	0	1
1 tsp ground coriander	5	0	1	0	0
1 tsp cumin powder	8	0	1	0	0
1 tsp garam masala	8	0	1	0	0
2 cups coconut milk	900	10	16	90	0
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1.5 cups basmati rice	1020	20	222	2	3
2 cups water	0	0	0	0	0
1 pinch saffron threads	0	0	0	0	0
1 tbsp ghee or butter	112	0	0	12	0
2 cardamom pods	2	0	1	0	0
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Fresh cilantro chopped	1	0	0	0	0
Fried onions optional	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Chicken

1
Mix spices
In a large bowl, mix turmeric, ground coriander, cumin, and salt.
2
Coat chicken
Add the chicken pieces and coat them well with the spice mixture.
3
Marinate
Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results.
Tip: For an even richer flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.

Preparing the Saffron Rice

1
Rinse rice
Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2
Soak saffron
Soak the saffron threads in 2 tbsp of warm water.
3
Combine ingredients
Combine the rice with water, saffron, ghee, cardamom, and salt in a pot.
Tip: Toast the rice on low heat for a few minutes before adding water for a nutty taste.

How to Make Aromatic Mauritian Chicken Kalia with Saffron Rice

Total time: 2 h 20 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Browning the Chicken
Heat oil in a large pot, add marinated chicken, and sear until golden brown.
2
Cooking the Kalia
Add onions, garlic, ginger to the pot, and sauté. Stir in coconut milk and garam masala, simmer until the chicken is cooked through.
3
Cooking the Rice
Bring the rice mixture to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until water is absorbed and rice is tender.