Name: One Pot Chicken Pulao (Indian Chicken and Rice Recipe)
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup Royal Basmati Rice, soaked for 15 minutes; 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 2 tbsp oil or ghee; 1 red onion, thinly sliced; 3 green chilies, slit open; 1 tomato, sliced; Small handful of curry leaves; Small handful of fresh cilantro; 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste); ½ tsp ground black pepper; 1 tsp coriander powder; ½ tsp garam masala; Pinch of turmeric; 1 tbsp plain yogurt (optional); ¾ cup water; 1 tsp cumin seeds; 3 green cardamom pods; 3 whole cloves; 1 bay leaf; 1 star anise; 1 cinnamon stick; 4 cloves garlic, finely minced; 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced

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If you’re craving a comforting bowl of Indian chicken and rice, this one pot chicken pulao is exactly what you need. It’s hearty, fillling and way easier than a full-on chicken biryani.

Why This Chicken Pulao Recipe?

There’s a good reason that this chicken pulao recipe has been a go-to in my weeknight dinner rotation. Whether you’re using bone-in or boneless chicken, this dish is easy to customize and packs in major flavor with minimal effort — especially when made in the Instant Pot. Once you try it, it’s the one you’ll keep coming back to as well :

All you need is one pot. You can make this easy chicken and rice recipe in a single pot, dutch oven, or my personal favorite Instant Pot. It’s a true one pot dish, making clean-up a breeze
Lots of Flavor. This Instant Pot chicken pulao recipe uses whole spices, long-grain basmati rice, and moist chicken pieces for maximum flavor
Perfect weeknight meal! Anytime you’re craving Indian cooking or comfort food, this can be whipped up in around 30 minutes.

Boneless Chicken Pulao Rocks!

This one-pot chicken pulao is proof that comforting, flavorful meals don’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re a pro or just learning to make pulao, this pulao with a simple prep and bold flavors will be a favorite in your rotation.

So go ahead — make this pulao, follow the recipe, and enjoy the aroma that’ll make your kitchen smell like home.

I grew up eating pulao, and nothing compares to the comfort of a pot of steaming rice and chicken, the sides of the pot just a little crispy, and the satisfaction of a meal made with love.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Instant Pot Chicken Pulao

To make this delicious chicken pulao, you’ll need:

Basmati Rice – Soak it for 15 minutes to help it cook evenly and stay fluffy.
Boneless chicken thighs – Juicy and flavorful, they cook quickly and soak up all the spices beautifully.
Whole spices – Cumin seeds, green cardamom, cloves, bay leaf, star anise, and a cinnamon stick — they bring that warm, fragrant base every good pulao needs.
Onion, garlic, ginger, green chilies, tomato – Your classic aromatic mix for deep flavor and a bit of heat.
Curry leaves, cilantro – Fresh herbs to brighten it all up.
Yogurt (optional) – A spoonful helps tenderize the chicken and adds subtle creaminess.
Ground spices – Coriander powder, garam masala, black pepper, turmeric — this combo brings all the magic.
Oil or ghee, salt, and water – The essentials to bring it all together..

Step-by-Step: How to Make Chicken Pulao

1. Prep your ingredients

Rinse the rice and soak the rice for 15 minutes.
While the rice soaks, prep your chicken and chop all vegetables.

2. Fry the aromatics

Set your Instant Pot or pressure cooker to Sauté mode. Heat ghee in your pot or pan. Add the whole spices and sauté until fragrant.
Add onions and cook until golden with garlic, ginger, curry leaves, and green chilies. Add tomatoes, cilantro and cook down.

3. Add the chicken pieces

No need to marinate the chicken for this recipe! Add chicken pieces along with yogurt (if using), coriander powder, garam masala, black pepper, turmeric, and remaining salt. Cook the chicken for 5 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink on the outside.
If using bone-in chicken, first pressure cook the chicken for 5 minutes in the Instant Pot or cover and simmer on the stove. I always use boneless.

4. Add rice and water

Add the rice, then water to the pot. Season with salt.
Cook the rice and chicken on low heat until the rice is cooked and the chicken is done.

How to Make This Pulao in the Instant Pot

I love making this pulao in the Instant Pot because it’s a lot easy to set on autopilot.

Use the sauté function to toast the whole spices, cook the onions and fry the chicken.
Then add chicken, tomatoes, yogurt, and spices.
Finally, add the rice and water.
Pressure cook on high for 4 minutes, then natural release for 10 minutes.
This Instant Pot chicken pulao is a game changer for weeknights!

Looking for more Instant Pot recipes? Try this easy instant pot dal makhani recipe.

What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?

I always prefer to use boneless chicken like thighs or chicken breast for a faster cook time. Using bone-in chicken gives a lot of flavor but a lot more annoying to deal with in my opinion. You can also use chicken tenders or mixed chicken pieces for variety.

Tips for the Best One-Pot Chicken Pulao

For the best one pot results, don’t skip whole spices. Cooking the rice with all these spices really adds all those spices right into the rice and chicken.
Always fluff the rice gently with a fork or use a rice paddle so the grains stay separated. If you’re not sure what to serve with chicken pulao, some sliced onions and raita do the trick.
Want extra richness? Add a touch of ghee over the cooked rice right before serving.
Don’t rush — let it sit for 5 minutes after cooking so the flavors settle & the end result doesn’t feel soggy.

What to Serve with Chicken Pulao

Not sure what to serve with chicken pulao? Try:

Pair it with some raita! All you need to do is mix up some plain yogurt with salt, chaat masala and some cucumber. Here’s an easy raita recipe to try out.
Some pickled onions or kachumber salad never hurts.
You can also just turn this into a matar pulao or vegetable pulao

Watch the Chicken Pulao Video

Want to see how it’s done in action? Check out my chicken pulao video on my Instagram @eatsbyramya for a full step by step of this easy chicken pulao recipe made in an Instant Pot.

More Indian Recipes to Try

If you love Indian recipes, check out: