Amich (Armenian rice with dried fruit and chicken)

Instructions

1. Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear, then leave it to drain.
2. Cut the chicken into pieces, season with salt, pepper and cumin, then brown it in a casserole with 1 tablespoon of butter for 6 minutes.
3. Add the sliced onions and let them colour for 5 minutes, then remove the chicken and set it aside.
4. In the same casserole, toast the rice for 2 minutes in the remaining butter, then pour in the hot stock and add the cinnamon stick.
5. Return the chicken to the rice, cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes without lifting the lid.
6. Meanwhile, toast the almonds in a dry pan, then fry the raisins and chopped apricots in a little butter.
7. Remove the cinnamon stick, gently fold the dried fruit into the rice and add the infused saffron if using.
8. Spread the rice on a serving dish, decorate with the toasted almonds and parsley, then serve warm.