Pakistani style Chicken Pilau (One pot chicken and rice)

Ingredients

• 1 kg bone in chicken ( I used drumsticks, but you can use boneless chicken as well)
• 1/4 cup oil
• 3-4 small cinnamon sticks (bark)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp or to taste crushed red pepper flakes
• 5-6 cardamom pods
• 8-10 whole peppercorn
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 green chillies chopped
• 2 small tomatoes diced
• 1 heaping tbsp garlic paste
• 1 heaping tbsp ginger paste
• 1.5 cups fried onion
• 3 cups of water total
• 2 cups rice (washed several times, soaked for 30 minutes then drained)
• Handful of fresh coriander leaves chopped

Method

1. Heat a large pot on med heat with the oil.
2. Add whole spices and sauté for a minute (do not burn)
3. Increase heat to med high.
4. Add chicken and cook until light golden.
5. Add in ginger and garlic paste and cook for a few minutes until fragrant.
6. Add in powdered spices and green chilies and mix. Cook for a couple of minutes.
7. Add in tomatoes and sauté.
8. Add 1/2 cup water and cover and cook for 5-6 minutes.
9. Add fried onions and chopped cilantro.
10. Cover and cook for 3 minutes- add 1 tbsp of water each time if sticking to the bottom.
11. Add rice + 2.5 cups of water. Taste the water for salt, should be salty.
12. Let water come to a boil, then decrease the heat to low and cover. Let cook for 20 minutes- check if rice is cooked and water evaporated.
13. Place the pot covered in a preheated oven at 250F for 10 minutes. garnish with additional cilantro and fried onions ( optional) enjoy!