Chicken Pulao

A Colorful and flavorful One pot meal , this yellow chicken Pulao is  our favorite quick fix for a weekday dinner. It's really easy to make and doesn't require all those layering and  baking we do for making Biryani.It makes an excellent substitute for biryani on a busy day.

Ingredients:-

Chicken - 3 bone in thighs cut into small pieces.

Garam masala - 3/4 tsp

Ginger garlic paste - 1 1/2 tsp

Lemon juice - 1 tsp

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Crushed pepper - 1/2 tsp

Yogurt - 4 tsp

Basmati rice- 2 cups

Onion  thinly sliced - 1/2 cup + 1/2 cup for frying

Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp

Garam masala - 1/2 tsp

Bay leaves - 2

Cloves -  2

Cardamom - 3

Salt to taste

Mint leaves

Butter/Ghee

Method:-

Wash and soak the basmati rice for 20 minutes and drain.

Marinate the chicken pieces with garam masala , ginger garlic paste, lemon juice, turmeric powder and crushed pepper for 30 minutes.

Heat butter or ghee in a heavy bottomed cooking vessel and fry 1/2 cup onions till golden brown and drain on kitchen towels(if you are using raisins and cashew nuts fry it now and set aside).

Now add bay leaves, cloves and cardamom and fry it for a minute . 

Then add sliced onions and saute till it is soft. 

Add the marinated chicken pieces and fry it 8-10 minutes, till it starts to turn brown.

Add 1/2 tsp turmeric powder,1/2 tsp garam masala, chopped mint leaves and 4tsp yogurt.

Combine it well and add 2 cups rice and fry it again for a minute or two.

Add 4 1/4 cup of warm water and salt to taste , cook it covered on medium flame for 15 minutes or till it is done.Switch off the heat and let it stand covered for 5 minutes. 

Garnish it with fried onions, cashew and raisins.

Fluff it with a fork and serve warm

Cheers

Sarah