Chicken Pulao

This one-pot flavoured chicken pulao rice recipe is cooked with mild Indian spices. Chicken pulao is a delicious dish made of boiled basmati rice, meat, spices, and herbs. This chicken rice is super easy to make for a weeknight dinner. It is mildly spiced compared to its counterpart chicken biryani.

Caramelised onions, whole spices and moist chicken pieces peeping through fluffy basmati rice that clings to the chicken. The layers of flavours in this comforting dish bring back the authenticity and taste of India to your door. Perfect served at a dinner party and sure to be a showstopper!

Rice is a staple in many cuisines and each culture has its own versions of this popular ingredient. However, when I think of rice, the first thing I think of is pilau. I love pilau in all forms. Whether it is a mutton pilau or a vegetable pilau or a chicken pilau.

I make this pilau recipe a lot. The difference between this chicken pilau recipe and my mutton pilau recipe is that this recipe is made in one pot. A lot of experience, time and motherhood has helped me evolve how to make a delicious pilau with the intense pressure of the demands of my young children.

I have made this chicken pilau much more approachable for mothers. Being a busy mother myself, who really doesn’t need the extra hassle (or dishes!) to deal with, but still wants to cook a family dinner this made me develop this recipe.

I love using this chicken pilau for dinner because I know it will be guaranteed to go down well. Usually, I serve it with my homemade raita, which my daughter makes.

That’s usually how I serve it when it is just me, my husband, and my kids. However, for dinner parties and larger events, I serve it with my lamb curry and a variety of different starters.

This rice recipe is definitely perfect for large family gatherings because you can easily double, even TRIPLE, the recipe to feed more people. When it comes to brown the onions, it’s important that you add a splash of water. This allows the onions to release their colour and become caramelised.

The colour of these onions at this point is what will determine the end colour of the rice. If the onions are not browned properly the rice grains will end up looking white, almost like boiled rice. Although the taste will be there, it won’t look like a pilau!

Here are some more recipes for you to enjoy! If you like them don’t forget to rate and leave a comment.

• Chicken Biryani
• Keema Pulao
• Vegetable Fried Rice
• Rice Kheer
• Mutton Pulao

If you have any recipe suggestions, please do not hesitate to ask me. A great way to stay in contact with me is through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Don’t forget to tag me @cookwithnabeela in your recipe photos!

Chicken Pulao

by Nabeela Kauser

A delicious weeknight dinner made with mild Indian spices. This is comfort food at its best. Rice and chicken combined in a delicious dish and packed with flavour.

4.97 from 33 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 1 hr 5 mins

Total Time 1 hr 15 mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Servings 6

Calories 399 kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• ▢ 300 g Rice
• ▢ 50 ml Olive Oil
• ▢ 1 Onions
• ▢ 1 tsp Salt
• ▢ 1 tsp Ginger Paste
• ▢ 1 tsp Garlic Paste
• ▢ 1 tsp Garam Masala
• ▢ 1 tsp Crushed Chillies
• ▢ 1 tsp Peppercorn
• ▢ 2 Bay Leaf
• ▢ 2 tsp Cumin Seeds Jeera
• ▢ 2 Green Chillies
• ▢ 600 ml Water
• ▢ 750 g Chicken

Instructions

• In a small bowl wash the rice then soak for at least 30 minutes
• Whilst the rice is soaking heat the oil in a pan on medium heat until hot
• Add the whole black pepper, cumin seeds and bay leaves then sauté for 1-2 minutes
• Add the finely sliced onions then cook on medium heat for 6-8 minutes until browned
• Add 2 tablespoons of water then cook for 1-2 minutes – the colour of the onions at this point will determine the end colour of the rice
• Add the ginger paste, garlic paste, and crushed chillies then sauté for a further 1-2 minutes
• Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes
• Add the salt, garam masala and green chilli then cook for 6-8 minutes on medium heat
• Add the water and cook on medium heat for a further 6-8 minutes
• Add the rice and cook for 6-8 minutes on high heat until the majority of the water is absorbed
• Cover and cook on low heat for another 15 minutes
• Serve alongside some homemade raita and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 399kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 15gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 495mgPotassium: 230mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 198IUVitamin C: 4mgVitamin D: 0.1µgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Chicken, Dinner, Pilau, Rice

Tried this recipe?Mention @CookwithNabeela or tag #CookwithNabeela!