Andhra Chicken Pulao / Chicken Pulao (Using Coconut & Poppy Seeds)

Its been long time i shared Chicken recipes in my space. One of my friend requested me to share some Non vegetarian recipes, particularly she asked me for easy and quick chicken recipes. And me too felt that i have only few Chicken & one Fish recipes on my Non Vegetarian Recipe Index and wanted to add some more recipes to it. So after long time started cooking chicken on Sundays :)
As I don't know more varieties of non vegetarian recipes i used to search for more interesting, spicy and yummy recipes and i found this Super flavorful & Tasty Chicken Pulao from Vahrehvah.com
And remember once Nalini also recommended to try this chicken pulao and the recipe also sounds so flavorful and delicious, above all i felt its so simple and easy to make. If u love Chicken then its a must try!!!

Ingredients

1. Basmati Rice       2 cups(i used 160 ml cup)
2. Onion                2 large (sliced)
3. Green chili        5 or 6 no. (slit open)
4. Ginger Garlic paste      1 tbsp
5. Curry leaves      1 sprig
6. Coriander Powder         2 tsp
7. Turmeric powder         1/4 tsp
8. Salt         to taste
9. Mint & Cilantro/coriander leaves          1-2 tbsp each(finely chopped)

To Temper

1. Oil                2-3 tbsp
2. Shahi Jeera/Black Cumin seeds       1/4 tsp
3. Cumin seeds       1/4 tsp
4. Cardamom              3 no.
5. Cinnamon          1" stick
6. Clove        4no.

To Marinate

1. Chicken               1 lb or less(i used boneless, skinless chicken breast)
2. Yogurt             1/4 cup
3. Curry leaves     1 sprig
4. Chili Powder      1/2 tsp
5. Turmeric Powder       a pinch
6. Fennel seeds/sombu       1/4 tsp
7. Mint & Cilantro     1tsp(finely chopped)

To Dry Roast & Grind

1. Poppy Seeds       1 and 1/2 tbsp
2. Cinnamon          2" stick
3. Clove          3 or 4 no.
4. Coconut          1/4 cup (shredded)

Method

• First wash and drain chicken, then add chicken to a bowl, then add other ingredients under the heading "To marinate" and mix well and cover with cling wrap and rest for 20-25 minutes.
• Meanwhile wash and soak basmati rice, grind ginger garlic past, chop onions, cilantro and mint leaves and keep everything ready.

• Heat a pan,dry roast poppy seeds, cinnamon, clove for few minutes then grind it to a smooth paste along with coconut and keep aside.
• Now heat oil on a large skillet, add the tempering ingredients then add sliced onions and saute for a minute and add ginger garlic paste, pinch of turmeric powder and saute till the raw smell leaves.

• Then add green chili, curry leaves and stir fry for few seconds and now add the ground coconut paste and stir fry for 1-2 minutes.
• And add coriander powder and stir fry for another minute and add marinated chicken and stir fry for 1-2 minutes.
• Then cover the chicken with lid and cook till chicken gets cooked and tender.

• After that add soaked and drained rice,chopped cilantro n mint leaves and stir fry for 1-2 minutes and add enough water and salt and cook till the rice done.
• Lastly add some finely chopped cilantro, fluff the rice and serve hot with raita.

Notes:
Using Shahi jeera gives nice flavor n taste to the pulao but u can skip if u don't have it and add cumin seeds alone.
Adjust green chili amount to your taste, we love it spicy :)
You can also add 11/2 tbsp ghee and 11/2 tbsp oil for more rich and flavorful pulao.