Student Special Afghani Chicken Pulao Recipe | Easy One Pot Chicken Pulao Recipe

basmati rice

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: long-grain rice

Quinoa is a nutritious alternative, while long-grain rice is more budget-friendly.

almonds

🥗Healthier: walnuts

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Walnuts provide healthy fats, while sunflower seeds are often less expensive.

chicken

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Tofu is a plant-based option, while thighs are more affordable than breasts.

raisins

🥗Healthier: dried apricots

💰Cheaper: sultanas

Dried apricots offer a different flavor, and sultanas are usually less costly.

Heat ½ cup of cooking oil in a large pan over high heat.

Add 2 cups of thinly sliced onions and cook until they turn light brown.

Once onions are light brown, add 2 bay leaves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 5-6 bruised cardamom pods, 2 bruised black cardamoms, 8-10 peppercorns, and 3-4 broken green chilies.

Continue cooking over medium-high heat until the onions are brown.

Lower the heat and stir in 1½ tbsp of garlic paste, cooking until fragrant, about 30-40 seconds.

Add the chicken pieces, mixing well. Season with 1 tsp salt and crushed mace. Mix again.

Cover and cook over low heat for 3 minutes, then sauté for a few more minutes.

Pour in 5 cups of hot water, add 2 tsp salt (adjust to taste), and bring to a simmer.

Add the pre-soaked basmati rice and 3 additional green chilies to the pan.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to the lowest setting. Optionally, stir in 2 tbsp of powdered milk.

Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and cooked through.

Once cooked, stir in 1 tbsp of ghee.

Create a small space in the center of the pulao, place a small bowl with a hot charcoal piece in it.

Pour 1 tsp of ghee over the charcoal and cover the pan immediately to trap the smoke. Allow it to smoke for 2 minutes.

Remove the charcoal, mix the pulao well to distribute the smoky flavor.

Cover the pulao and let it rest for a few minutes to settle the flavors.

Serve hot and enjoy the rich, smoky, and aromatic Afghani chicken pulao.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens