Chicken Pulao...simple and yummy...

Chicken pulao is a lighter version of chicken biryani. 

It is perfect to make on those tired nights and lazy Sundays. It is simple and quick to make yet its subtle taste is refreshing to the senses. Everyone in your family would be delighted to have them again and again.

Ingredients

1 cup basmati rice

3 chicken drumstick

1 medium size onion (thinly sliced)

1/4 cup thick yoghurt

1 ts fennel seed, 1/2 ts cumin seed, 1/2 ts peppercorn, 2 bay leaf, 1 star anise, 1 small cinnamon stick

1 inch ginger piece, 3 garlic cloves (finely grated)

6 small green chilli (slit opened)

1 ts coriander powder, 1/2 ts chilli powder

Few curry leaves

To grind

1 ts kasa kasa

3 ts grated coconut

2 cloves

1 cardamom

Grind the above into a smooth paste with very little water

Preparation

- Heat oil in a stock pot. Once hot, add the whole spices and give a quick toss till a nice aroma comes out.

- Quickly add the chopped onions and fry them until they turn light golden.

- Add the cleaned and washed chicken pieces. Add little chilli powder and salt. Fry them in high flame until the chicken gets little roasted on all sides.

- After the chicken is well roasted add curry leaves, ginger, garlic, green chillies and coriander powder. Also add the ground masala paste. Give a good mix so that the chicken is well combined with the masala.

- Now lower the flame and add well beaten yoghurt. Add little water if needed. Cook them covered in simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the chicken is half cooked. The gravy would now have thickened and oil seperated from them.

- Add the washed and soaked rice now. Give a gentle mix. Add salt and enough water. 

- Allow the mixture to boil. Then cook them covered in simmer until the rice is done.

Enjoy this simple and yummy chicken pulao with some kurma/ salna!