Instant Pot Chana Pulao (Chickpea Rice)

Chana Pulao is a delicious, one-pot Indian style chickpea and rice casserole. It is gluten-free, vegan, and takes exactly 10 minutes in an instant pot. You can make this pulao on the stovetop, and pressure cooker as well. Do you need any more reasons to bookmark this awesome chickpea rice recipe?

My REASONS To Love Chana Pulao…

gluten-free and vegan

one-pot, wholesome, casserole

easy to pack and reheat

instant pot and stovetop friendly recipe

Canned vs Dried Chickpeas

You can use canned or dried chickpeas for making the pulao. I prefer using dried chickpeas for this pulao recipe or making Indian chana masala.

Cooking chickpeas from scratch in the masala make pulao more delicious.

• Saute Time: 7 Minutes
• Cook Time: 3 Minutes
• Total: 10 Minutes

Drain the canned chickpeas in a colander or sieve. Rinse with water to get rid of preservatives and starchy liquid. Add them to the masala along with uncooked rice. Cook for 3 minutes in PRESSURE COOK mode and the pulao is ready!

• Saute Time: 10 Minutes
• Cook Time: 33 – 35 Minutes
• Total Time: 45 Minutes

Rinse and soak chickpeas in water for 4 – 5 hours or overnight. Drain all the soaked water. Transfer the chickpeas to the inner pot of the IP along with masala (as suggested in the recipe).

Add water. If you have 1 Cup chickpeas add 2 1/4 cups of water.

Close the lid of the IP. Set the PRESSURE COOK mode. Move the pressure valve to the Sealing position. Cook the chickpeas for 30 minutes (I like fully cooked, soft chickpeas and not al dente).

After 30 minutes, open the lid, check chickpeas for doneness, add soaked rice, and potatoes. Stir to mix. Cook for 3 Minutes in the PRESSURE COOK MODE.

Instant Pot Chickpeas Pulao Cooking Method:

Set the SAUTE Mode of IP for 10 minutes. Add cooking oil, bay leaf, cardamom, and cumin seeds to the inner pot of IP. Saute spices for 20 – 30 seconds to release the aroma.

Next, add sliced onion and fry till onion become light golden in color.

Add ginger-garlic paste, soaked chickpeas (no water), salt, spices and stir to combine. Saute for 1 – 2 minutes. (If you are using canned chickpeas then at this stage you can add rice, potato, water and cook he pulao for 3 minutes.)

Next, add water and stir. Seal the lid of the IP. Cancel SAUTE Mode. Set PRESSURE COOK Mode for 30 minutes to cook chickpeas.

After IP beeps, release the pressure. Open the lid and check chickpeas for doneness.

Add potato and soaked/drained rice. Stir to combine. Seal the lid. Set PRESSURE COOK mode for 3 minutes.

After the set cooking time, open the lid and fluff the rice using a fork.

Can I cook this chana pulao on a stovetop?

Can this kabuli chana pulao recipe be made on a traditional stovetop pressure cooker if I don’t have an instant pot? Yes, you can easily make this chana pulao in the traditional pressure cooker.

Follow the pulao recipe ingredients, measurements, and cooking method. Cook soaked chickpeas for 2 – 3 whistles on low heat. Allow the steam to release naturally.

Add soaked rice, stir to combine, and once again cook for 1 whistle. Open the lid, and fluff the pulao using a fork.

Usually, I prefer slow cooking rice without lid in the pressure cooker. Once the rice is cooked, the liquid is dried, cover and slow cook (dum cook) pulao for 3 – 5 minutes at lowest heat.

My Tried & True Tips To Make Perfect Chana Pulao:

Use long-grain basmati rice or any other medium-grain rice with less starch for making the pulao.

Before starting the pulao making process, wash and soak the rice in water for 15 – 20 minutes.

I use 2 1/4 cups of water to cook 1 cup dried chickpeas and 1 cup rice. Adding too much liquid to cook rice always results in a mushy and sticky pulao.

If you are using canned chickpeas then 1 1/2 cups of water is sufficient to cook the rice.

For cooking liquid, you can use vegetable stock, chicken broth, or plain water.

Apart from potatoes, one can add broccoli, peas, carrot, squash, greens, or any other seasonal vegetable in this chana pulao.

You can add a teaspoon of achaar (pickle) masala or (leftovers masala from the pickle jar ) if you want to make Achari Kabuli Chana Pulao.

Serving Suggestions:

Here are few side-dish suggestions that compliment chana pulao:

Mint Raita or Buttermilk (Chaas)

Green Chutney or Tomato Chutney

Chilled Masala Yogurt or Curd

Pickled Onion or Green Salad

Indian Style Curry or Gravy Sauce

More Instant Pot Recipes For You:

Instant Pot Chicken Pulao

Instant Pot Mushroom Pulao

Instant Pot Mushroom Masala

Instant Pot Dum Aloo

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