One-Pot Easy Chicken Pulao: Delicious Comfort Food
One Pot Easy Chicken Pulao
Are you in need of an easy delicious and wholesome meal that would love the entire family? Try One-Pot Chicken Pulao, the most comforting dish ever. Tender chicken aromatic spices and scented basmati rice all tossed together in a cook fit for hassle-free cooking. It’s a recipe anyone, whether you are a seasoned cook or just looking for something fun and beginner-friendly, can try. In other words, the pulao fits the bill-it’s mildly flavored to be a kid-friendly option and perfect for those who love the warm, homey flavors of Pakistani and Indian cooking.
Chicken pulao is the popular dish across South Asia, mainly in Pakistan and India.
The combination of chicken and rice happens to be one of the oldest dishes. It is appealing to everyone over a wide range because it can easily be adapted to taste preferences-from mildly flavored to the spicier, more robust alternatives. It is one of the well-loved meals in various households because of its simplicity that makes it a great comfort food for any day of the week. The flavoring of the aromatics and spices during cooking renders the chicken pulao truly special because it is what imbues both the rice and the chicken with the flavors during cooking. Most rice dishes usually involve cooking the rice first and then mixing everything together, such as meat or vegetables, but in the case of chicken pulao, everything is cooked together in one pot; therefore, the basmati rice could absorb the chicken broth and the mouthwatering mix of spices for a perfect combination of flavors.
Ingredients
Before heading to cooking, let’s first take a glimpse at the ingredients you need to prepare this easy chicken pulao below:
Bone-in chicken pieces about 500g: Using bone-in chicken pieces adds more depth and flavor to the dish as the bones enrich the broth during cooking.
Basmati rice (1.5 cups): Long-grain aromatic rice is a better choice for making pulao as it perfectly absorbs the flavors and remains soft even after it’s been cooked.
Sliced onions (1 large onion): Sauteed onions provide very sweet caramelized base to the dish.
Ginger (1 tbsp minced) and garlic (1 tbsp minced): These essential aromatics will impart deep earthy flavors.
Whole spices – 1 cinnamon stick 4 cloves 2 cardamom pods 1 bay leaf Whole spices add warmth and depth to the dish. Ground spices – 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp coriander powder ½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp garam masala These spice blends are so important in giving the authentic flavor profile of the dish. Salt – according to taste Needless flavor enhancer.
Oil: 3 tbsp. For browning the chicken and toasting the aromatics.
Water or Chicken Broth: 2.5 cups. To cook rice along with chicken in the form of a delicious broth base.
Step-by-Step Cooking Process
Let’s walk through the cooking process for this easy one-pot chicken pulao.
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Begin by rinsing the basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. The excess starch on the rice is removed, which gives the rice its fluffy texture and prevents it from lumps forming while cooking. Let that soak for approximately 20 minutes in a little water as you prepare the other ingredients.
Cut up the chicken with bones. You can actually use a whole chicken cut in pieces, or you can but chicken thighs or drumsticks pre-cut. For sure, the flavor will be more rich and savored because of the bone.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat oil in a big pot over medium heat. Add the bone-in chicken pieces when it’s hot, then browning them on all sides. This will help seal in juices and flavor base for the pulao. Once you do this, remove from the pot and set aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics
Similarly, add sliced onions to the same pot and sauté them till they are brown. Browning is an essential technique as it imparts a rich sweet flavor to the dish. Then add in the minced ginger and garlic; cook for another 1-2 minutes till fragrant.
Add whole spices (cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and bay leaf) to the pan followed by ground spices: cumin, coriander powder, turmeric and garam masala. Toast spices for about 30 seconds to a minute. This will help to release their essential oils and deepens the flavor of pulao .
Step 5: Mix Chicken and Rice
Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot and stir them into the aromatic spice mixture. Drain the soaked basmati rice and add that too. Gently stir everything together so the rice and chicken end up evenly coated with the spices.
Step 6: Add the Liquid
Pour 2.5 cups of water or chicken broth over it, making sure the liquid covers the rice and chicken. If you are using water you can add a bit more salt for flavor. Bring it to the boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the pulao simmer for about 20 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and all the liquid has been absorbed.
Step 7: Rest and Fluff
Once your rice is cooked, take it off the heat and let rest for about 5 minutes with a lid on. The time to rest will allow the grains to settle and continue their cooking time. Using a fork, fluff the rice loosely when the time for resting has been reached.
Serving Suggestions
One pot chicken pulao can be a meal in itself, but it goes perfectly well with a raita salad or some pickles to spice it all up. This dish is lightly flavored, good for kids and adults alike, but the aromatic spices make it interesting for those who care for authentic South Asian flavors.
Final Thoughts
This simple chicken pulao recipe is perfect for those wanting a flavorful yet uncomplex meal.
This dish, starting from bone-in pieces of chicken to aromatic basmati rice and the medley of spices involved, introduces people to the real richness of Pakistani and Indian cooking.
The mild flavor and its kid-friendliness make it suitable for any day of the week-it’s comforting and filling. Whether you are cooking it for a family dinner or as one of the easy weeknight dinner one-pot chicken pulao is sure to become one of your favorites in the kitchen!
