Morog Polao

Indulge in the aromatic flavors of Morog Polao, a fragrant Bangladeshi chicken and rice dish infused with spices and yogurt. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a festive gathering, this dish is sure to warm your heart.

• 1 kg chicken, cut into pieces
• 3 cups Basmati rice
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 1 cup yogurt
• 3 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 3 cardamom pods green cardamom
• 3 cloves cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick cinnamon
• 1 cup oil
• 5 cups water

Method

1. 1

   Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and fry until golden brown. Remove half for garnishing.

2. 2

   Add the ginger-garlic paste to the remaining onions in the pot and sauté for a minute until fragrant.

3. 3

   Add the chicken pieces to the pot along with turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and yogurt. Mix well and cook for about 15-20 minutes until the chicken is well-coated and tender.

4. 4

   In a separate pot, bring 5 cups of water to a boil. Add the soaked Basmati rice and cook until it’s about 70% done. Drain and set aside.

5. 5

   Layer the partially cooked rice over the chicken in the pot. Add the whole spices (cardamom, cloves, cinnamon) on top of the rice. Cover tightly and cook on low heat for 25-30 minutes until the rice is fully cooked.

6. 6

   Once done, fluff the rice gently with a fork. Garnish with the fried onions saved earlier.

7. 7

   Serve hot with salad or raita on the side.