Chana Pulao, also called Chickpea Pulao, is an easy, flavorful recipe perfect for weeknights. With just 10 minutes of prep time, this one-pot pulao can be made in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop.
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time20 minutesmins
Total Time25 minutesmins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian, Pakistani
Keyword: chana pulao, chickpea biryani, garbanzo beans and rice
Place the rice in a small bowl and gently wash until the water runs mostly clear. Soak in water for 20 minutes.
Stovetop Method
Heat oil or ghee in a nonstick pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add whole spices, and saute for 30 seconds.
Add the onions and sauté until they are golden brown, about 7 minutes while stirring frequently.
Add the grated ginger and green chili, and saute for another minute.
Drain the water from the soaked rice. Add chickpeas, rice, garam masala, salt, and stir. Pour in the water. Raise heat to high. Let it come to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and allow to cook for 12-15 minutes or until all the water is soaked. Turn off the heat and allow to rest for another 5 minutes. Do not stir at this time.
Use a rice paddle or fork to fluff the pulao. Garnish with cilantro. Serve with raita or plain yogurt.
Instant Pot Method
Start the Instant Pot in sauté mode. Add the oil and/or ghee. Once it is hot, the whole spices and saute for about 30 seconds until their aroma is released.
Add the onions to the Instant Pot and sauté them until golden brown, about 6-7 minutes while stirring frequently. Add the grated ginger and green chili, and saute for another minute
Add salt, garam masala, and chickpeas to the Instant Pot. Stir the 1 3/4 cups of water in the Instant Pot. Then, add the rice and mix it with the other ingredients in the Instant Pot.
Turn off the sauté mode and close the Instant Pot's lid. Set the Instant Pot for 4 minutes on high pressure. When the Instant Pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release it.
Open the lid of the Instant Pot and fluff the Pulao with a rice paddle or fork. Transfer the Pulao to a serving tray. Note: it is best to remove the steel insert from the instant pot so the lower layer of rice does not overcook.
Garnish with cilantro and enjoy!
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Notes
Rice-to-Water Ratio: For fluffy rice, it is recommended to consider the rice-to-water ratio. With basmati rice, the ratio in the recipe tends to hit the mark perfectly. If you prefer different rice, you might need to tweak that ratio a bit. Do not stir: Resist the temptation to stir while the pulao is cooking. Once the pulao is ready, let it rest for a few minutes, then fluff gently.Chickpeas: If you're not keen on using canned chickpeas, fear not! You can easily prepare chickpeas at home using your trusty Instant Pot or a good old stovetop pressure cooker.Want to add veggies? You can surely incorporate an array of colorful and nutritious veggies into this pulao. Add some carrots, green peas, green beans, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra texture and flavor.Vegan Pulao: To make this recipe vegan, use your favorite plant-based oil instead of ghee.