Orange-roasted Chicken Thighs with Green Olives and Basmati Rice
Orange-roasted chicken thighs with green olives and basmati rice is a Mediterranean-style main course where juicy, skin-on chicken roasts in a fragrant spice blend of coriander, cumin and oregano. The Thermomix TM7 grinds the whole spices, chops the garlic and mixes the marinade in seconds, delivering deep citrus flavour with briny olives alongside fluffy rice.
About this recipe
Orange-roasted chicken thighs with green olives and basmati rice Thermomix TM7 recipes bring genuine Mediterranean bistro flavour to your table with minimal effort. In this recipe, skin-on chicken thighs marinate in a freshly ground blend of coriander seeds, cumin and oregano, then roast slowly until the skin crisps and the orange juices caramelise around briny green olives. Served over fragrant basmati rice, it becomes a complete one-pot main course perfect for a relaxed Sunday lunch or a quick weeknight dinner when you want something a little special. The all-in-one kitchen machine earns its place immediately: whole spices are ground to an aromatic powder in seconds, garlic cloves are chopped finely without sticky fingers, and the marinade is mixed to an even consistency so every thigh is coated. If you have been searching for easy Thermomix TM7 chicken recipes with bold citrus notes, this olive-studded bake with tender basmati rice is one to add to your weekly rotation.
Preparation tips
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with kitchen paper before adding the spice marinade; dry skin renders crisper in the oven and the ground coriander and cumin adhere better, giving every thigh an even golden crust.
- Rinse the basmati rice until the water runs clear before cooking, then let it rest with the lid on for a few minutes; this keeps the grains separate and light under the rich orange and olive juices.
- Swap the orange for blood orange in winter or lemon in summer, and add a handful of halved cherry tomatoes for extra sweetness; children usually prefer the olives finely chopped so they melt into the sauce.
Recipe variations
- Lactose-free by nature, this recipe easily becomes dairy-lighter still by serving the chicken over couscous instead of basmati rice; keep the green olives and orange but add preserved lemon for a more North African character.
- For a festive winter variation, replace the basmati with spiced basmati cooked with a cinnamon stick and a few sultanas, and scatter toasted flaked almonds and fresh coriander over the finished chicken and olives.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Grinding the whole coriander seeds freshly in the TM7 releases far more aroma than pre-ground spice, deepening the marinade in seconds.
- Chopping the garlic cloves in the Thermomix gives an even, fine texture so the orange marinade coats every chicken thigh consistently.
- Mixing the marinade in the TM7 blends olive oil, citrus and spices into a uniform mixture faster than whisking by hand.
- Weighing the basmati rice directly in the mixing bowl guarantees the correct rice-to-water ratio for fluffy, separate grains every time.
- Heating the spice blend gently in the Thermomix before marinating blooms the cumin and oregano, intensifying the roasted flavour.
Ingredients
- chicken thighs, skin on, bone in
- garlic cloves
- coriander seeds
- dried oregano
- ground cumin
- fine sea salt
- orange juice
- orange
- pitted green olives
- onions