Vegetable / Chicken Pilav Recipe
Serves: 2–3
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
Skill Level: Easy
A fragrant, colourful and gently spiced rice dish inspired by Kerala-style pilav. This recipe works beautifully with either vegetables or chicken and uses our authentic Pilav Spice Mix to create a light, flavourful side or main dish. Perfect with butter chicken, paneer masala or enjoyed on its own.
Shopping List
- Vegetables or chicken – 2 cups, diced into small chunks
- Basmati rice – 1 cup
- Onion – 1 medium, finely diced
- Coriander leaves – 2 tbsp, chopped
- Mint leaves – 1 tbsp, chopped
- Oil or butter – 2 tbsp
- Lemon juice – 1 tsp
- Pilav Spice Mix – 2 tbsp
- Salt – to taste
- Water – 1.75 cups for vegetables or 2 cups for chicken
Cooking Method
-
Cook the onions
Heat oil or butter in a pan.
Add the diced onion and sauté until golden brown. -
Add the spice mix
Lower the heat and add 2 tbsp Pilav Spice Mix.
Sauté for a couple of minutes. -
Add vegetables or chicken
Add the diced vegetables or chicken along with chopped mint leaves, coriander leaves, lemon juice and salt.
Stir well and cook for 1–2 minutes to coat everything in the spices. -
Add the rice
Add the washed basmati rice and sauté for 2–3 minutes. -
Add water
Pour in 1.75 cups hot water for vegetables or 2 cups hot water if using chicken.
Stir once, then cover the pan. -
Cook the pilav
Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for around 10 minutes.
The quantity of water may vary depending on rice quality, so keep an eye on it. -
Finish
Turn off the heat when all the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked.
Leave covered for 5 minutes before serving. -
Serve
Enjoy with Indian Curry Pot’s Butter Chicken, Paneer Masala or as a stand-alone dish.
Recipe Notes
- Naturally gluten free
- Add peas or sweetcorn for extra colour and texture
- Use ghee instead of butter for a richer flavour
- Perfect as a quick midweek meal or a side dish