2cupswhite Basmati ricewashed and soaked in 2 cups water
1red onionbig, sliced
2tablespoonginger and garlic paste
2tablespoonyogurt
1teaspoonred chilli flakes
1teaspoongaram masala
¼cupcooking oil
1teaspoonsaltto 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.