Punjabi Chana Dal Khichdi Recipe (2024)

Chana Dal Khichdi is a very popular Punjabi style khichdi made with basmati rice, and chana dal (Bengal Gram). This dal khichdi is gluten-free, easy to make, and very similar to a pulao.

Pin

What is ‘Chana Dal’?

Chana Dal is known as Bengal Gram. It is a yellow color lentil from the chickpea family. In India, it is well known as chana dal, cholar dal, or chole ki dal.

Bengal Gram is a plant-based source of protein that is rich in fiber, minerals, and iron. It is easy to store, and cook.

Many people confuse it with white kabuli chana (chole/chickpeas). Both are different in color, taste, and texture.

Kabuli Chana cannot be used as a substitute for Bengal Gram and vice versa.

Pin

In Punjabi Cuisine, chana dal khichdi is one of the most popular comfort food recipes. In many households, this dal khichdi is commonly prepared for lunch on a regular basis.

In my husband’s Sikh family, it is a must-cook dish on special festive and celebratory occasions such as Sankranti, as a sign of a good omen.

Khichdi vs Pulao

Is this a khichdi or pulao? Chana Dal Khichdi has a texture and cooking process more like a pulao. Unlike, traditional dal khichdi it is more fluffy like a pulao.

As it is a combination of dal and rice, hence, it is called khichdi. Otherwise, I find it more like a pulao. In the Punjabi language, it is also called chole ki dal ke chawal, or chole ki dal ka pulao, or chana dal pulao.

Ingredient Required

Rice: Short to medium grain rice works best for this khichdi recipe.

Chana Dal: Make sure to soak the Bengal Gram for 20 minutes before making the khichdi.

Ginger and Garlic: I use chopped ginger and garlic. You can add a teaspoon of the ginger garlic paste as well.

Cooking Oil: You can use either flavorless vegetable oil or ghee.

Spices: Cumin Seeds, Red Chili Powder, Turmeric, Asafoetida

Other Ingredients: Onion, Salt, Water

How To Make

The chana dal khichdi is cooked in two steps. Both the cooking steps can be easily done on a pressure cooker or an instant pot.

Step 1) The first step is to cook the Bengal gram or chana dal without rice in the pressure cooker.

• Wash and soak rice in water for 20 minutes. Similarly clean, wash and soak Bengal gram (chana dal) in water for 20 minutes in a separate bowl.
• Heat ghee in a pressure cooker. Add cumin seeds, asafoetida, and onion. Fry till the onion turns golden brown. (image 2)
• Add ginger-garlic and fry for another 10 – 20 seconds to remove the raw smell.
• Drain water from the soaked Bengal gram. Add it to the pressure cooker along with the salt to taste and spices. Fry for 1 minute.
• Add 1 ¼ cup of water. Stir to mix. Pressure cook the dal for 2 – 3 whistles over medium heat. Turn off the heat. Let the steam release naturally.

Pin

See Also

Healthy Chana Salad RecipeMasala Khara Bath RecipeWhole Wheat Khasta Kachori RecipeAloo Palak Puri Recipe

Step 2) The second step is to cook rice with the flavored chana dal to make khichdi.

• Open the lid, add the soaked rice without water and stir to combine (image 6). Taste for seasoning.
• Reduce the heat to low and let the rice cook uncovered over slow heat. At this stage, you can also pressure cook it for 1 whistle. (image 8)
• After cooking the chana dal khichdi, fluff it using a fork, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes before serving. This ensures each grain of rice and lentil is non-sticky and fluffy.

Pin

Serving Suggestion

Like other Indian khichdi’s this dal khichdi also tastes best with:

spicy pickle

ghee or butter

fresh curd or raita

sliced onion or kachumber salad

green chutney or tomato chutney

Pin

My Tried & True Tips

Do not add too much water to cook the dal. The ratio of 1: ¼ (dal to water) works perfectly.

For me, in a stovetop pressure cooker, it takes 2 – 3 whistles over medium heat to cook the dal perfectly for khichdi. In an instant pot,

To make a vegan khichdi, you can use coconut oil or vegetable oil.

After cooking the chana dal khichdi, fluff it using a fork, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes before serving. This ensures each grain of rice and lentil is non-sticky and fluffy.

Pin

More Indian Pulao Recipes

Chana Pulao

Chicken Pulao

Mushroom Pulao

Vegetable Pulao

Tawa Paneer Pulao

Subscribe to ourweekly newsletteror follow us onYoutubefor video recipes.

If you try this recipe and love it, please leave a comment and a rating. This helps us grow and reach other food lovers like you.