Murgh Pulao
Murgh Pulao is a fragrant and flavorful rice dish where chicken is cooked with aromatic basmati rice and a blend of spices. It's a one-pot meal that's both comforting and celebratory, often served at gatherings.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups Basmati rice(rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes)
- 1 kg Chicken(cut into pieces)
- 2 large Onions(thinly sliced)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 2 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste
- 3 to taste Green chilies(slit)
- 0.5 cup Yogurt
- 1 inch Cinnamon stick
- 4 pieces Green cardamom pods
- 4 pieces Cloves
- 8 pieces Black peppercorns
- 2 pieces Bay leaves
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Red chili powder(or to taste)
- 1.5 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.25 cup Oil
- 3.5 cups Water
- 2 tbsp Fresh coriander(chopped, for garnish)
- 0.25 cup Fried onions(for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sliced onions and fry until golden brown and caramelized. This will take about 10-15 minutes. Remove half of the fried onions and set aside for garnish.
- 2
Add ginger-garlic paste to the pot and sauté for a minute until fragrant. Add chicken pieces and cook until they change color.
- 3
Add chopped tomatoes, green chilies, yogurt, cinnamon stick, green cardamom, cloves, black peppercorns, bay leaves, cumin seeds, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well and cook for 5-7 minutes until the tomatoes soften and the oil starts to separate.
- 4
Add the rinsed and soaked basmati rice and gently mix it with the chicken and spices. Be careful not to break the rice grains.
- 5
Pour in the water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the water is absorbed.
- 6
Once the rice is cooked, let it rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes. Fluff the pulao gently with a fork. Garnish with reserved fried onions and fresh coriander.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Soaking the rice is crucial for fluffy, separate grains.
- ✓Don't stir the rice too much once the water is added, to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- ✓Adjust spices according to your preference.
🔄 Variations
- Add a few strands of saffron soaked in milk for a richer flavor and color.
- Include other vegetables like carrots or peas for a more colorful pulao.