Ingredients

• 1 ¹/₂ cups plus 2 tablespoons 5-7% thick-style yogurt such as Greek or Skyr
  
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  
• ¹/₄ teaspoon ground turmeric
  
• 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning onions and chicken
  
• 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
  
• 2 medium yellow onions, half of one onion grated and and set aside the rest thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
  
• 1 ¹/₂ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  
• ¹/₂ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed for the rice
  
• 2 cups basmati rice, rinsed
  
• 1 medium egg
  
• 1 teaspoon saffron threads, crushed and dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water
  
• 2 tablespoons room temperature ghee or unsalted butter (optional)