Afghani Pulao Recipe

Total Time
1 Hr, 20 Mins
Serves
4
Serving Size
1 chicken thigh plus 1 cup rice
Meal
Dinner

Total Time

Prep Time
30 Mins
Cook Time
50 Mins
Total Time
1 Hr, 20 Mins

Nutrition

Calories
932 cal
Total Fat
47 g
Polyunsaturated Fat
16 g
Cholesterol
154 mg
Sodium
754 mg
Carbohydrates
87 g
Dietary Fiber
4 g
Protein
39 g

Ingredients

  • 4 bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed
  • 1-1/2 cup basmati rice
  • 1/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons oil, divided
  • 2 medium onions, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 tablespoon store bought garam masala spice mixture
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • 4-1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons hot water, divided
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup California walnuts
  • 3 carrots, julienned
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder (optional)

Preparation

  1. Wash and rinse the rice 4 times. Soak it in water and set aside for at least 30 minutes.
  2. In a saucepan over medium heat, add 1/3 cup oil and fry the onion until brown in color. Remove onion from oil, preserving the oil.
  3. Add onion to a blender. Add 3 tablespoons water to the blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
  4. In a large pan, heat the remaining oil from the onion over medium heat. When hot, add the chicken thighs.
  5. Brown the chicken thighs, cooking 3-4 minutes on each side. Add the blended onion, garlic, salt, garam masala, cumin and cinnamon. Mix well.
  6. Add 1½ cups of hot water, let the mixture simmer about 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked. When around 1/4 cup water is left in the pan, remove the chicken and set aside.
  7. Add remaining 3 cups of water to the pan, when it comes to a boil add the rice. Reduce heat to low, cover the pan, and cook for 35 minutes.
  8. Add 3 tablespoon oil to a frying pan and shallow fry raisins and walnuts for 3 minutes over medium heat. Remove and set aside. Add carrot and cardamom powder, fry for 3 minutes.
  9. To serve, dish the rice on a big plate, add the chicken and garnish with fried carrots, raisins and walnuts.