Recipes

$6 One-Pot Chicken Pilau (EBT-Friendly)

by StudioLink's Diet.
December 03, 2025
View the Studiolink

$6 One-Pot Chicken Pilau (EBT-Friendly)

Fragrant, spiced rice with tender chicken – a complete meal in one pot. Simple ingredients create extraordinary flavor.

Total Cost of Ingredients Used: $5.50-$7.00

(Cost reflects only what’s used in the recipe, not full package prices)

Ingredients:

0.5x
1x
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  •   2 tbsp vegetable oil
  •   1 lb chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
  •   1 large onion (chopped)
  •   4 cloves garlic (minced)
  •   1 tbsp fresh ginger (grated)
  •   2 cups basmati rice (rinsed)
  •   2 tsp ground cumin
  •   4 whole cloves
  •   2 cardamom pods
  •   1 cinnamon stick
  •   1 tsp salt
  •   4 cups chicken broth ((or water + 2 bouillon cubes))

Ingredients are subject to availability at local stores. Unavailable items will be automatically substituted at best-effort.

Instructions

1

Brown the chicken: Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high. Add 1 lb chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless, cut into pieces) and brown on all sides, about 5-6 minutes. Remove and set aside.

2

Sauté aromatics: In the same pot, add 1 chopped onion. Cook 4-5 minutes until soft. Add 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and cook 1 minute until fragrant.

3

Toast spices and rice: Add 2 cups basmati rice (rinsed), 2 tsp cumin, 4 whole cloves, 2 cardamom pods, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 tsp salt. Stir 2 minutes until rice is coated and spices are fragrant.

4

Add liquid and chicken: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth or water with 2 bouillon cubes. Return chicken to pot. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes.

5

Rest and serve: Remove from heat, let stand covered 5 minutes. Fluff rice with fork. Remove whole spices if desired. Garnish with cilantro or fried onions if available. Serve with lemon wedges.

Aromatic, flavorful rice that fills your kitchen with incredible smells – and your family with great food.

This EBT-friendly pilau proves that simple ingredients can create magical results. Chicken thighs infuse the rice with rich flavor while whole spices perfume every grain. It’s a complete, comforting meal that requires just one pot and pantry staples. Perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week.

Budget Grocery List + Cost Breakdown

All items EBT-eligible. Prices based on Walmart/ALDI/international markets.

Protein & Starches

Used in recipe: 1 lb chicken thighs ($3.00) + 2 cups basmati rice ($0.60)

Package cost: $3.00 (family pack) + $1.50 (1lb rice) = $4.50 total

Aromatics & Vegetables

Used in recipe: 1 onion ($0.35) + garlic ($0.10) + ginger ($0.15) + optional garnish ($0.25)

Package cost: $0.70 + $0.50 + $0.50 + $1.00 = $2.70 total

Spices & Broth

Used in recipe: Cumin, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon ($0.25) + broth ($0.75) + oil ($0.15)

Package cost: $4.00 (spice set) + $2.00 (carton) + $3.00 (oil) = $9.00 total

Total Used in Recipe: $5.45-$6.95

Serves 4-6 people • Cost per serving: $0.91-$1.74

Note: Whole spices last for years. Use water + bouillon if broth is unavailable. Chicken drumsticks work too.

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