Chicken Pulao
Pakistani chicken pulao — basmati rice cooked in spiced chicken broth with tender chicken pieces. Less complex than biryani (one-pot, not layered) but equally satisfying.
Prep Time
29 min
Cook Time
46 min
Servings
6
Calories
540 cal
🛠 Interactive Recipe Tools — Use them right here on this page
Smart Servings Scaler
- Chicken750 g
- Rice2 ¼ cups
- Cumin Seeds1 ½
- Coriander Powder1 ½
- Garam Masala1 ½
- Onion1 ½ medium
- Yogurt¾ cup
- Ginger1 ½ tsp
- Garlic4 ½ cloves
All quantities scaled automatically from 6 servings.
Ingredients
Makes 6 servings · Use the Servings Scaler above to adjust
- Chicken750 g
- Rice2.25 cups
- Cumin Seeds1.5
- Coriander Powder1.5
- Garam Masala1.5
- Onion1.5 medium
- Yogurt0.75 cup
- Ginger1.5 tsp
- Garlic4.5 cloves
Instructions
- 1
Rinse 2 cups basmati rice three times. Soak 30 minutes. Drain.
- 2
Heat 3 tablespoons ghee in a heavy pot. Add 1 sliced onion, cook 10 minutes until golden. Add 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste, cook 1 minute.
- 3
Add 1.5 lb bone-in chicken pieces. Add whole spices: 4 cardamoms, 4 cloves, 1-inch cinnamon, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon coriander seeds.
- 4
Cook chicken with onions 5 minutes. Add 1 chopped tomato, 1 teaspoon red chili powder, 1.5 teaspoons salt. Add 4 cups water, bring to boil.
- 5
Cover, simmer 25-30 minutes until chicken is tender. Strain broth; reserve both. Measure broth — need 3.5 cups. Add water if short.
- 6
Return broth and chicken to pot with the drained rice and 1 teaspoon garam masala. Boil, reduce heat to lowest, cover tightly. Cook 18 minutes. Rest 10 minutes. Fluff. Serve with raita.
Watch how to make Chicken Pulao
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💡 Expert Tips
- 1.Soak the rice 30 minutes.
- 2.Brown the onions well.
- 3.Right broth-to-rice ratio.
- 4.Don't lift the lid during rice cooking.
🔬 Why It Works
Chicken pulao is the one-pot version of biryani — same fragrant rice and tender chicken, cooked together. The chicken broth (from initial cooking) provides the cooking liquid for the rice, infusing it with deep flavor. Slow cooking the chicken first tenderizes it; rice cooks separately at the end.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 6 servings)
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 6 servings)
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.
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