Degi Chicken Pulao is a classic South Asian rice dish made with tender chicken, fragrant basmati rice, and a blend of rich whole spices. Cooked in layers with yogurt, fennel seeds, and saffron milk, this pulao delivers deep flavor and a comforting aroma in every bite.

This easy homemade recipe is perfect for family meals, gatherings, or festive occasions. The dum cooking method enhances the taste, making it soft, fluffy, and irresistibly delicious.

Serve it hot with cooling raita and fresh kachoomer salad for a complete meal.

Mutton Yakhni Pulao Recipe

🍲 Degi Chicken Pulao

🧾 Ingredients

• 1 kg chicken
• 1 tsp salt (for marination)
• 1 cup oil

Whole spices:

• 2 star anise
• 6 cloves
• 1 tsp whole black pepper
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 4 green cardamoms
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 black cardamoms
• 2 onions (sliced)
• 2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tbsp fennel seeds
• 1 tbsp chili flakes
• 600 g rice (soaked)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Few strands of saffron
• ¼ cup milk
• 3–4 green chilies (sliced)
• 1 tomato (sliced)

Keto Spicy Cauliflower Rice

👨‍🍳 Method

1. Marinate Chicken

• Mix chicken with salt and let it rest for 30 minutes.

2. Prepare Base

• Heat oil in a pot.
• Add whole spices and sauté until aromatic.
• Add sliced onions and cook until golden brown.

3. Cook Chicken

• Add marinated chicken and fry until lightly browned.
• Add ginger garlic paste and sauté well.
• Add a little water, cover, and cook until the chicken becomes tender.

4. Build Flavor

• Add yogurt and cook until oil separates.
• Add fennel seeds and chili flakes, fry briefly.

5. Add Rice

• Add soaked rice and water (as per rice requirement).
• Adjust salt and add lemon juice.
• Cook until most of the water dries.

6. Dum (Final Cooking)

• Mix saffron with warm milk and pour over the rice.
• Top with green chilies and sliced tomatoes.
• Cover tightly and cook on low heat (dum) for 15 minutes.

7. Serve

• Gently fluff the rice and serve hot with:
  • raita kachoomer salad