A delicious one-pot chicken pulao recipe that's super easy to make with just a few ingredients. The perfect weeknight meal! Instant pot and stovetop versions included.

Out of ideas for weeknight dinners? Make this one-pot chicken pulao recipe. With just a few ingredients including the chicken and rice, it is ready in 40 minutes flat!
If you've been elsewhere on this blog, you know I'm all about making Indian cooking more approachable. I love sharing easy, beginner-friendly Indian recipes that are big on taste. This chicken dinner is right in line with that philosophy. It doesn't have the flamboyance of its sister, the stylish chicken biryani, but where this simple and unassuming dish scores is the almost ridiculous ease with which it is made.
By the way, since biryani did get a mention here, do check out these biryani recipes on the blog if you're in the mood. Here they are -
- Egg dum biryani (Hyderabadi style)
- Chicken biryani
- Keema biryani
Which brings us to a question that's very commonly asked:
What is the difference between chicken pulao and chicken biryani?
The major difference between pulao and biryani lies in the technique of cooking. For making any kind of biryani (chicken or lamb), the meat and rice are cooked separately, then brought together in another pot. Pulao, however, is made by cooking the meat and rice together in one pot.
Another difference between the two is the number of ingredients used. In addition to the ingredients in pulao, biryani has more spices (powdered and whole), saffron or food colour, and sometimes, even nuts.
Needless to say, biryani is a more involved recipe. Pulao, in comparison, is made easily.
Ingredients
There is no long list of ingredients here, so you don't have to worry about assembling a gazillion things before you start cooking. All you need is:
- boneless chicken strips (breast or thigh meat)
- rice (basmati is preferable)
- onions
- ginger-garlic paste
- garam masala (an Indian spice blend that's found in most stores)
- yogurt
- chilli flakes
Plus cooking oil and salt, of course. That's it.
Instructions
Preparation
1. Wash and soak 2 cup basmati rice in 2 cups water for 15 minutes.
2. While the rice is soaking, slice the onions and mince the ginger and garlic.
Instant pot method
Step 1: Fry the onions.
Turn the instant pot to saute mode (normal) and fry the onions in the oil until reddish brown. Keep stirring frequently to prevent uneven browning.
Step 2: Add the rest of the ingredients except chicken and rice.
In goes the ginger-garlic paste, yogurt, chilli flakes, garam masala and salt. Saute for 4-5 minutes adding a few splashes of water to keep the masala from drying out.
Step 3: Add the chicken and half a cup water.
Saute the chicken in the masala for 3-4 minutes or until it becomes whitish in color.
Step 4: Add the rice and the water in which it was soaked (2 cups).
Mix everything well. Then cancel the saute mode and switch on the pressure cooking mode (manual in some models).
Step 5: Pressure cook.
Pressure cook on high pressure for 4 minutes. Once the timer beeps, release pressure after 5 minutes.
Stovetop method
Step 1: Fry the onions.
Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the onions. Fry until reddish brown. Keep stirring frequently to prevent uneven browning.
Step 2: Add the rest of the ingredients except chicken and rice.
When the onions caramelize, add the ginger-garlic paste, yogurt, chilli flakes, garam masala and salt. Saute for 4-5 minutes adding a few splashes of water to keep the masala from drying out.
Step 3: Add the chicken and half a cup water.
Saute the chicken in the masala for 3-4 minutes or until it becomes whitish in color.
Step 4: Add the rice and the water in which it was soaked + a half cup extra water.
Mix everything well and cook on high until the liquid starts bubbling. Then lower the heat and leave the pulao to simmer for 10 minutes or until most of the water has been absorbed by the rice. Cover with a lid and let it rest for another 5-10 minutes.
Note: the extra half cup of water is added because a lot of water evaporates quickly in an open pan whereas in a pressure cooker the water remains inside as steam.
Delicious chicken pulao is ready to be served!
Who said Indian cooking is intimidating;)
One simple hack to make this recipe faster
Sometimes when I'm short of time and want to put dinner on the table asap, I use store-bought fried onions and ginger-garlic paste. These are available in any Indian grocery store or even supermarkets like Walmart.
Side dishes
Simple! Make a quick raita (whisked yoghurt with salt and dry roasted and ground cumin). Raita goes very well with pulao and biryani both.
Or have it with a fresh salad of your choice. Anything goes: sliced cucumber, onions and tomatoes.
More pulao recipes
- Prawns pulao - A delicate and flavorful prawn and rice dish ready in 30 minutes.
- Yakhni pulao - Long-grain Basmati rice teams up with the choicest cuts of bone-in meat and whole spices to make this authentic Awadhi pulao
- Mushroom pulao - A flavourful pulao with white button mushrooms. Ideal for a quick one-pot lunch or dinner.
- Chana pulao - Rice, chickpeas, fried onions, and spices come together in a protein-packed pulao. Another dead-simple recipe.
- Kashmiri Pulao - A sweet pulao with fruit and nuts!
📖 Recipe
Easy Chicken Pulao
Ingredients
- 1 boneless chicken breast cut into strips
- 2 cups white Basmati rice washed and soaked in 2 cups water
- 1 red onion big, sliced
- 2 tablespoon ginger and garlic paste
- 2 tablespoon yogurt
- 1 teaspoon red chilli flakes
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ¼ cup cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon salt to taste
Instructions
Preparation (10 minutes)
- Wash and soak the rice in water.
- Slice the onion.
- Mince the ginger and garlic.
- Cut the chicken into strips.
Instant Pot Method (30 minutes)
- Turn the instant pot to saute mode (normal), add oil and fry the onions until reddish-brown. Keep stirring frequently to prevent uneven browning.
- Add the ginger-garlic paste, yogurt, chilli flakes, garam masala and salt. Saute for 4-5 minutes adding a few splashes of water to keep the masala from drying out.
- Add the chicken and half a cup water. Saute the chicken in the masala for 3-4 minutes or until it becomes whitish in color.
- Add the rice and the water in which it was soaked. Mix everything well. Then cancel the saute mode and switch on the pressure cooking mode (manual in some models). Make sure the vent is in the sealing position.
- Pressure cook on high pressure for 4 minutes. Once the timer beeps, release pressure after 5 minutes.
Stovetop Method (30 minutes)
- Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the onions. Fry until reddish brown. Keep stirring frequently to prevent uneven browning.
- When the onions caramelize, add the ginger-garlic paste, yogurt, chilli flakes, garam masala and salt. Saute for 4-5 minutes adding a few splashes of water to keep the masala from drying out.
- Add the chicken and half a cup water. Saute the chicken in the masala for 3-4 minutes or until it becomes whitish in color.
- Add the rice and the water in which it was soaked + half a cup extra water. Mix everything well and cook on high until the liquid starts bubbling. Then lower the heat and leave the pulao to simmer for 10 minutes or until most of the water has been absorbed by the rice. Cover with a lid and let it rest for another 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- The extra half cup of water is added in the stovetop method because a lot of water evaporates quickly in an open pan whereas in a pressure cooker the water remains inside as steam.
- You can use store-bought fried onions and ginger garlic paste if you are in a hurry. Works well for this recipe.
Juli says
That looks delicious! I love the approach for a straighforward dinner!
Lisa Bryan says
I always wondered the difference between pulao and biryani - good to know! And I love them both. 🙂
Saima says
Thanks Lisa!
Neli Howard says
Made this for dinner tonight and we all loved it including my kids. Thanks a lot Saima for such an easy yet flavorful recipe. I really like that it uses so little basic spices and still turns out so yum!!
Saima says
You're welcome Neli! I'm so glad your family enjoyed it.
lola@cheflolaskitchen says
Okay finally got to know the difference between these two dishes! I've already tried Biryani and pulao is surely next on my list.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
I'm definitely going to be giving this a try, it looks like the perfect weeknight dinner for the whole family.
Aleta says
Wow this looks delicious; you sure know how to make Indian food look easy to make! I love the simplicity of using one pan only. Yum! Can'r wait ti give Indian cooking a try!
Saima says
Thanks, Aleta! Try it for sure!
Elaine Benoit says
One of the great things about the internet is that I can learn about food from different cultures! I've never heard of Pulao! But now that I have seen your delicious recipe, I have to make it myself to see if it is as tasty as it looks!
Saima says
You do that Elaine Benoit:) Don't forget to share how it went though!
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen says
Love this idea! I'm always a fan of a one pot meal in the weekdays, will be trying it this week!
Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli says
I would substitute the chicken for me, but my husband would love it! Sounds like a great weeknight and tasty meal!
Analida Braeger says
Ahhh every culture has a protein+rice recipe. In Latin America we just call it arroz con pollo. This Indian version looks absolutely delectable. Cannot wait to try it.
Saima says
Arroz Con Pollo sounds quite exotic to my ears, but I get what you mean!
Sherri says
I've never had chicken pulao before but it looks like a dish the whole family can enjoy! And, thanks to your helpful tips, it looks pretty easy to make too! 🙂
Farwin says
Love love biryani and pulaos! It's an easy meal I turn to often. This pulao looks delicious!
Saima says
Thanks, Farwin
Jennifer says
My family loved this! It was so delicious and full of flavor. Will definitely be making this again!
Saima says
Thanks Jennifer. Glad you liked it:)
Nicolas Hortense says
Wow very intrigued by this dish but I love how it all comes together! (:
Anne Lawton says
This chicken sounds delicous! I am adding it to my list of recipes to try real soon!
Amanda Mason says
Ok YUM!! I'm so excited to make this...I'm printing it out now! I've not tried a recipe like this before but it looks amazing!!
Krista Price says
I had all of the ingredients on hand, so I made this for dinner tonight! Love when that happens. Absolutely delicious! ❤️
Saima says
That's great Krista! Thanks!
Ajoke says
This looks so delicious, can I swap the chicken for beef?
Saima says
Of course. You can use beef strips instead of chicken, you'll just have to cook the beef longer before you add the rice.
Cyndi says
I assume the “yogurt” is plain yogurt. Would Greek yogurt work, to add a little more protein? I have never eaten or cooked Indian food , but this looks so good and my hubby loves anything with chicken and rice!
Saima says
Yes, Cyndi, yogurt is plain yogurt but in this recipe it really doesn't matter. You can use Greek yogurt too. Hope your husband enjoys the pulao!