Instant Pot chicken pulao is a delicious one-pot meal that combines tender chicken with fragrant rice and aromatic spices. Made with moist chicken pieces, this Indian-style chicken and rice casserole is a flavorful and satisfying dish that can be prepared in 20 minutes.
The rice is cooked to perfection, and the subtle flavors from the whole spices perfectly complement the tender chicken, making it a hit with the whole family.
Why you will love this chicken pulao recipe?
- This one-pot chicken pulao recipe is a great option for those looking for a simple and versatile meal that can be served for busy weeknights or special occasions.
- Made with basic and simple ingredients and spices, this
Instant Pot chicken pulao recipe is easy to prepare and perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients and substitutes
Chicken: I use chicken legs or drumsticks to make the pulao. You can use any cut with either bone-in or boneless chicken.
Rice: Use Basmati rice to make this chicken rice.
Spices: The whole spices I use are bay leaves, green cardamom, black cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. The powdered spices I use are garam masala, turmeric, and chili powder.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
Yakhni pulao: Yakhni means broth, and yakhni pulao is a flavorful variation where the chicken is cooked in a broth made with a blend of whole spices and onions. The rice is then cooked in this chicken stock, resulting in a rich and aromatic pulao.
Keema Pulao: Chicken keema pulao is made with ground chicken (keema) instead of chicken pieces. The keema is cooked with spices, onions, and tomatoes, and then the rice is added and cooked until done.
Green chicken pulao: This variation uses a vibrant green masala made from cilantro, mint, green chilies, and spices. The chicken is cooked with this masala, giving the pulao a fresh and herbaceous flavor. You can find my recipe to make green vegetable pulao here.
Tomato chicken pulao: In this variation, the chicken is cooked in a tomato-based gravy along with spices and aromatics. The rice is then added and cooked together, resulting in a tangy and flavorful pulao.
Step-by-step instructions
Expert tips to make Instant Pot chicken pulao
Wash the Basmati rice thoroughly in running water until the water runs clear. Then, soak it for 20-30 minutes. Soaking the rice is an important step while making any kind of pulao. Washing and soaking the rice will help to remove excess starch from it and achieve a non-sticky texture to the pulao.
The water-to-rice ratio for this
The whole spices are important to make the best-tasting pulao. You may skip the ones you don't have access to, but it will definitely change the taste of the final dish. You can also add one teaspoon of cumin seeds along with other spices.
Add green chilies along with onions to increase the heat. You can also add more red chili powder or cayenne to make a spicy pulao.
Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes. You can marinate the chicken for longer if you are planning ahead to make this dish. Place the marinated chicken in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight and then use it.
I use chicken legs or drumsticks to make the pulao. You can use any cut with either bone-in or boneless chicken. Adjust the saute time accordingly.
Click here for more one-pot meals recipes. Also, check out my collection of Indian rice recipes in Instant Pot.
What to serve with chicken pulao?
Raita and salad: Raita is a yogurt-based side dish that helps balance the spices in the pulao. Cucumber raita, onion raita, and mint raita are great options. Make a simple kachumber salad or slice cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions and place them on a wide plate. Sprinkle salt and lemon juice and serve.
Papadums or Naan: Papadums (crispy lentil wafers) or naan bread are great options to serve alongside chicken pulao.
Green Chutney: Green chutney add a zesty and refreshing element to the meal. It can be served as a dip or drizzled over the pulao. Whisk it with a dollop of yogurt to make yogurt mint chutney.
Recipe FAQs
Both biryani and pulao are rice-based dishes. The most important difference is in the assembly of the dish. In pulao, soaked rice is added along with vegetables/meat and cooked while in biryani, the rice is parboiled first and then layered with a gravy/curry made with vegetables/meat.
Basmati rice works best for this dish. Not only does Basmati rice have a great aroma, but it also has long grains that if cooked correctly, are separate, non-lumpy, and do not stick to each other.
Yes, a stovetop pressure cooker can be used. Follow this recipe and pressure cook for 2 whistles. Open the lid once the pressure goes down and mix the chicken and fluffy rice gently.
For a hands-off approach, you can prepare chicken pulao in a slow cooker. Sauté the ingredients and partially cook the chicken on the stovetop, then transfer them to a slow cooker along with the soaked rice and water. Cook on low heat for 4-6 hours until the rice and chicken are fully cooked.
More chicken recipes
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Recipe card
Instant Pot Chicken Pulao
Ingredients
For the marination:
- 4 chicken drumsticks
- ¼ cup yogurt
- 1 inch ginger grated
- 3 cloves garlic grated
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the pulao:
- 1 cup Basmati rice
- 2 tablespoon ghee (use store-bought or homemade ghee)
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cloves
- 4 cardamom
- 1 black cardamom
- 1-2 small cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon garam masala (use store-bought or homemade garam masala)
- ½-1 teaspoon salt adjust as per taste
- ¼ cup cilantro
Instructions
Prep and marinate:
- Wash the Basmati rice thoroughly and soak it in water for 20-30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, add yogurt, ginger, garlic, turmeric, salt, and chili powder. Mix well.
- Add the chicken and mix well. Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes.
Make the pulao:
- Set the Instant Pot to saute mode and add ghee.
- Once it heats, add the whole spices (bay leaf, green cardamom, clove, black cardamom, and cinnamon). Saute for a few seconds.
- Add onions and fry until the onion is golden.
- Add the marinated chicken pieces and mix well. Cover and saute for 5 minutes.
- Drain the water from the soaked Basmati rice and add the rice.
- Add garam masala, salt, and one cup of water and mix well.
- Close the lid of the Instant Pot and seal the vent. Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook mode for 5 minutes.
- Do a quick release of the pressure. Open the lid and gently fluff up the rice. Garnish with cilantro (coriander leaves).
- Serve hot with raita.
Video
Notes
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Giangi Townsend says
Great recipe!! One of my favorite. Thank you so much for all your instruction pictures, they are helpful to me. So excited to make it for my family.
Thank you for sharing
Zhen of greedygirlgourmet says
So easy and delicious! I do love chicken recipes!
Dawn Conklin says
This chicken pulao is so delicious! Love how quick and easy it is to make in the Instant Pot too. It's the perfect dinner for us on a busy day and everybody loved it so I will definitely be making it again.
Andra says
I love how easy this is to make! Super tasty and gluten-free! Thank you so so much! <3
Kayla DiMaggio says
This instant pot chicken pulao is so delicious! We loved it and it was such a hearty dinner!
Jeannie says
I like how this recipe is done in 20minutes and only uses one pot to cook the recipe.
Addie says
Such an easy and delicious recipe!
Gina Abernathy says
I love serving one pot meals. This easy chicken and rice is a breeze to make and the family loved it. Thanks for a great recipe.
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
I had convinced myself I didn't need an instant pot, since I don't really have room for yet another small appliance in my kitchen. Then I see recipes like this one and realize I really do need to get on the instant pot band wagon. This looks like such a flavourful and easy meal to make!
Shilpa says
I use my IP in so many dishes. I love how quickly I can finish cooking plus the clean-up is a breeze as it's just one pot!
Jules says
I freaking LOVE Indian food like love - literally thought about needing a good Indian food recipe yesterday! Guess the universe is listening thank you for posting this!
KK says
I’ve tried other recipes in the past but this one is spot on! Really good! Thanks!
Shilpa says
I am really glad you liked it, KK. Thank you for your feedback 🙂
- Shilpa
Rica says
Can I double the recipe? If so, do I need to add minutes to the cook time?
Shilpa Kerur says
Hi Rica, Yes you can double the recipe. The cook time remains the same. Double all the ingredients, spices, and water but keep the cook time the same. I'd love to know how you liked it.
- Shilpa