How many calories are in Chicken Yakhni Pulao?

A serving of approximately 440g has around 650-750 calories. The exact count can vary based on the cut of chicken used (with or without skin) and the amount of ghee.

Is Chicken Yakhni Pulao healthy?

It can be a well-balanced meal, providing protein from chicken and carbohydrates from rice. The bone-in chicken broth is a good source of collagen. To make it healthier, use lean chicken cuts, control the ghee quantity, and pair it with a vegetable raita or salad to boost fiber intake.

What is the difference between Biryani and Pulao?

The primary difference lies in the cooking method. In Pulao, rice and meat are cooked together in a measured amount of stock. In Biryani, rice is par-cooked separately and then layered with a separately cooked, spicier meat gravy before being steamed ('dum'). Pulao is typically milder in flavor compared to the more complex and robust Biryani.

My rice became mushy. What went wrong?

Mushy rice is usually caused by excess liquid or overcooking. Ensure you use the precise 1:1.75 rice-to-yakhni ratio. Soaking the rice for 30 minutes is also vital. Avoid stirring the rice after adding the liquid and always let it rest for 10 minutes after cooking before fluffing.

Can I make this without the spice potli (muslin bag)?

Yes, you can add the whole spices directly into the stock. However, you will need to strain the stock very carefully to remove all the spices, which can be tedious. The potli is a convenient way to infuse flavor without having to pick out spices from the final dish.

Chicken Yakhni Pulao Recipe

Ingredients

For 4 servings

500 g Chicken (Bone-in, curry cut pieces)

2 cups Basmati Rice (Aged basmati rice is recommended)

4 tbsp Ghee (Can be substituted with vegetable oil)

3 medium Onion (1 halved for stock, 2 thinly sliced for pulao)

1 inch Ginger (Roughly crushed, for stock)

4 cloves Garlic Cloves (Roughly crushed, for stock)

1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste

3 pcs Green Chillies (Slit lengthwise)

0.25 cup Curd (Whisked until smooth, at room temperature)

1 tbsp Coriander Seeds (For the spice potli)

1 tbsp Fennel Seeds (For the spice potli)

1 tsp Black Peppercorns (For the spice potli)

5 pcs Cloves (For the spice potli)

5 pcs Green Cardamoms (For the spice potli)

1 pcs Black Cardamom (For the spice potli)

1 inch Cinnamon Stick (For the spice potli)

1 pcs Bay Leaf (For the spice potli)

1 tsp Cumin Seeds (For tempering)

1.5 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste; 1 tsp for stock, 0.5 tsp for pulao)

4 cups Water (For making the stock)

Instructions

Prepare Rice & Spice Potli

Rinse the basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. Soak it in fresh water for 30 minutes, then drain completely and set aside.
Take a small piece of clean muslin cloth. Place coriander seeds, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, cloves, green cardamoms, black cardamom, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf on it. Tie the cloth tightly to form a small spice bag (potli).

Prepare the Yakhni (Chicken Stock)

In a large pot, combine the chicken pieces, 4 cups of water, the prepared spice potli, the halved onion, crushed ginger, crushed garlic, and 1 tsp of salt.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is just cooked and tender.
Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the chicken pieces and set them aside. Strain the stock (yakhni) through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup or bowl. Discard the spice potli and onion. Measure out exactly 3.5 cups of stock. If you have less, top it up with hot water.

Sauté Aromatics & Prepare Birista

Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven over medium heat.

A fragrant and aromatic one-pot rice dish where tender chicken and long-grain basmati rice are cooked in a flavorful chicken stock. This Mughlai classic is subtle, elegant, and perfect for a special meal.

This mughlai recipe takes 75 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 704.99 calories per serving with 32.35g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for lunch or dinner.

Chicken Yakhni Pulao

Ingredients

Nutrition per Serving

Instructions

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