Chicken Pulao is flavored rice cooked with chicken and mild aromatic spices. This amazing rice dish is bursting with rich flavors of basmati rice, juicy chicken pieces, caramelized onions, and Indian spices. Chicken pulao is one of those dishes that can easily be prepared on a laid-back afternoon by quickly marinating chunks of chicken in yogurt and spices and then cooking it with basmati rice and whole spices. Interestingly, this dish was relished by the royalty in ancient India.
Health Benefits
Chicken pulao is rich in iron, calcium, vitamin A and C. Potassium and calcium are important for strong bones and muscles. Vitamins and proteins help in preventing diseases and are good for overall health.
Ingredients
lb chicken chopped: 1
cup basmati rice: 3
ml water: 500
tbsp yogurt (curd): 5
tbsp garlic peeled and crushed: 1
tbsp ginger minced: 1
medium onions thinly sliced: 2
tsp garam masala: 1
tsp red chili powder: 1/2
tsp turmeric powder: 1/2
tsp coriander powder: 1
tsp cumin seeds: 1/2
inch cinnamon stick: 1
bay leaf: 5
green cardamom: 6
black cardamom: 2
tbsp olive oil: 2
tsp lemon juice: 1
green chili finely chopped: 1
cup cilantro finely chopped: 1/2
tsp salt: 1 1/2
How To Make Chicken Pulao
- Wash and soak rice for 20 minutes. Drain the water and set aside.
- Marinate the chopped chicken in a mix of yogurt, lemon juice, red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and ½ tsp salt for 1 – 2 hours.
- Heat a pot or pressure cooker with remaining oil on a medium flame.
- Add cumin seeds, bay leaves, black and green cardamom, and cinnamon stick to the heated oil and stir for a minute.
- Add onions and fry till golden brown. Add green chili, ginger, and garlic to the pot and fry for 2-3 minutes on a medium flame.
- Transfer the marinated chicken to the pot and cook for 5 minutes on a low flame.
- Add rice, remaining salt, and water to the pot.
- Mix well and cover the pot.
- Cook for 15 -20 minutes till the rice is completely done. Stir in between.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro.
Trivia
Basmati rice has been grown in India for over 8000 years. It is fragrant rice with a distinct nut-like flavor. More than 140,000 varieties of rice are grown all over the world. Asia produces almost 90 percent of the total rice grown all over the world. Rice is an important part of Asian culture and is associated with many ceremonies.