Yakhni Pulao Recipe

Food

Yakhni Pulao is a fragrant and mildly spiced rice dish made by cooking basmati rice in a flavorful meat broth (yakhni). Unlike Biryani, it has a subtle yet rich taste, as the essence of whole spices and meat infuses the rice. This dish is a staple in South Asian cuisine and is often served with raita or salad for a comforting meal.

Level :

Hard

Total time :

1 Hour 5 Minutes

Prep time :

15 Minutes

Cooking time :

50 Minutes

Ingredients:

500g bone-in chicken (or mutton)
6 cups water
1 onion (cut into quarters)
4 cloves garlic
1-inch piece ginger
1 cinnamon stick
2-3 green cardamoms
2-3 cloves
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
2 cups basmati rice (soaked for 30 minutes)
1 large onion (thinly sliced) For Pulao
2-3 green chilies (slit)
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon garam masala powder
2 teaspoon salt (adjust as needed)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder
1/4 cup yogurt (optional, for richness)
1/4 cup cooking oil or ghee
tablespoons fresh coriander (chopped, for garnish)
2 tablespoons fried onions (for garnish)

Instructions:

Prepare the Yakhni (Broth):

In a large pot, add chicken (or mutton) along with water, onion, garlic, ginger, cinnamon stick, cardamoms, cloves, cumin seeds, bay leaf, salt, and black peppercorns.
Let it simmer for 30-40 minutes until the meat is tender and the broth is infused with flavors.
Strain the broth and set it aside. Separate the meat for later use.

Cook the Pulao:
- In a separate pot, heat oil or ghee and add cumin seeds. Let them crackle for a few seconds.
- Add sliced onions and sauté until golden brown.
- Stir in green chilies, coriander powder, black pepper powder, and garam masala.
- Add the cooked meat and mix well.
- If using, add yogurt and cook for 2-3 minutes until well combined.
Add Rice & Broth:
- Add the soaked and drained rice to the pot and mix gently.
- Pour in the prepared yakhni (broth) in a ratio of 1 cup rice = 1.5 cups yakhni. Adjust salt if needed.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and fluffy.
Dum Cooking (Steaming):
- Once the liquid is absorbed, place the pot on very low heat and let it steam for 5-10 minutes.
Fluff & Serve:
- Gently mix the pulao to avoid breaking the rice grains.
- Garnish with fresh coriander and fried onions.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Yakhni Pulao hot with yogurt raita, fresh salad, and pickles for a delicious and wholesome meal.

Enjoy your aromatic and flavorful homemade Yakhni Pulao! 🍚🔥

June 5, 2020

By wajed.qureshi88

Recipes