Qabooli Veg Biryani is a protein rich Biryani made with chickpeas and flavourful basmati rice. Serve it with Raita / salad on the side
Qabooli Biryani is a rich, inviting dish that makes parties or potlucks more inviting.. I have posted 2 pulav varieties with Chickpeas (Kabuli Channa / Garbanzo beans) : Achari Channa Methi Pulao, Kabuli Channa Pulao. This dish can be made entirely with rice and chickpeas, but I chose to add veggies as well
This biryani is a layered one and was part of a Sunday brunch (when I cook slightly elaborate meals that the whole family enjoys). Personally, I would have added a Roti / bread as well to this Thali, but it was too hot to stand and make them. Next time perhaps.
If you are a fan of Biryani, why not check out Instant Pot Veg Biryani
Do make this at home and let me know what is usually part of your Sunday brunch / lunch.

Other One pot meals with rice you may like...







Prep time - 20 mins, Cook time - 30 to 45 mins, Serves - 4 generously
Qabooli Biryani (GF, can be vegan)
Main course, Indian
What you need to make Qabooli Biryani
Spice level - medium to high:
- Long grain basmati rice - 1 cup (240 ml)
- Cooked Chickpeas - 1 cup
- Salt - to taste
- Ghee / Oil - 3 tablespoon (divided use)~ (skip ghee for vegan)
- Whole spices - black cardamom 2, green cardamom 2, cloves 4, Bay leaf 2-3, black pepper - ½ tsp
- Vegetables - 1 cup ( I used french beans, Potato and carrots)
- Yoghurt - 1 cup (200 ml)
- Spice powders - Garam Masala 2 tsp, Coriander powder 1 TBSP
PIN FOR LATER

Masala paste:
- Onions - 1 large
- Green chillies - 3 to 4
- Ginger - 2 inch piece
- Garlic - 3 to 4 pods
Topping:
- Saffron strands (few) - soaked in 4 tablespoon milk
- Mint leaves - 1 handful
- Fried Onions

How to make Qabooli Veg Biryani
Prep Work:
- Wash and drain rice several times till most of the starch is washed away and soak it in clear water for 20-25 mins. Drain and cook with a pinch of salt, 1 teaspoon oil, whole spices till 70% done. Fluff with a fork and keep aside.
- Make a paste of all the masala ingredients and keep aside.

How to make:
- In a thick bottomed pan / Kadai, add rest of the ghee / oil.
- Add the sliced onions, masala paste and sautè for 6-7 mins till oil separates. Now add the spice powders and yoghurt and mix well till the tomatoes soften, add the chickpeas now. and mix gently.
- Remove ⅔ of this filling and keep aside.
- In the same pan, add ⅓ of the partially cooked rice evenly over the chickpeas masala paste. top with a third of the saffron milk and a few mint leaves.
- Repeat this layer twice over. Sprinkle a few teaspoon of water, cover and cook till rice is done fully but not mushy.
- Serve with salad, papad, raita for a filling meal.

Qabooli Veg Biryani | Chickpeas Biryani | GF
Equipment
- Thick Bottomed Pan
- Pots and Pans
Ingredients
- 1 cup Basmati rice long grained variety
- 1 cup Chickpeas Qabooli channa cooked, but not mushy
- 1.5 teaspoon Salt or to taste
- 3 tablespoon Ghee divided use, sub ghee with neutral veg oil for vegan
- 2 black cardamom
- 2 green cardamom
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 Bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon Whole Black Pepper
- 1 cup Vegetables I used french beans, Potato and carrots
- 200 ml Yoghurt I used Homemade
- 2 teaspoon Garam Masala
- 1 tablespoon Biryani Masala
- 1 tablespoon Coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon Red Chilli powder
Masala (Spice) paste
- 1 large Onion or 2 medium
- 4 Green chillies
- 2 inch Ginger
- 4 pods Garlic
Topping / Garnish
- Saffron strands few - soaked in 4 tablespoon milk
- 4 tablespoon Mint leaves
- 4 tablespoon Fried Onions
Instructions
Prep Work
- Wash and drain rice several times till most of the starch is washed away and soak it in clear water for 20-25 mins. Drain and cook with a pinch of salt, 1 teaspoon oil, whole spices till 70% done. Fluff with a fork and keep aside.
- Make a paste of all the masala ingredients and keep aside.
How to make the Biryani
- In a thick bottomed pan / Kadai, add rest of the ghee / oil.
- Add the sliced onions, veggies, masala paste and sautè for 6-7 mins till oil separates. Now add the spice powders and yoghurt and mix well till the veggies soften, add the chickpeas now. and mix gently.
- Remove ⅔ of this filling and keep aside.
- In the same pan, add ⅓ of the partially cooked rice evenly over the chickpeas masala paste. top with a third of the saffron milk and a few mint leaves.
- Repeat this layer twice over. Sprinkle a few teaspoon of water, cover with fried onions, and cook till rice is done fully but not mushy.
- Serve with salad, papad, raita for a filling meal.





Sharmila Kingsly says
Rice , veggies and channa will be a full pack for biryani..a perfect treat it is!!
vaishali sabnani says
What a wholesome Biryani ! I have never used chickpeas in qubooli , but definitely a good variation . With all those veggies it makes it healthier .
The Biryani looks very well made Kalyani .
Suma Gandlur says
I have tried this qabooli version before. Your whole set up including qabooli along with boondi raita and salad looks pretty inviting. I bet that sunday meal was a delicious one.
Harini R says
Good pick, Kalyani. I have tried this version before and loved it. Would love to remind myself yet again with that bowl of boondi raita.
Gayathri Kumar says
That is indeed apt for celebration. The biryani looks wonderful. Today I have read so many qabooli biryani recipes and I love the fact that every recipe is unique.
sushma says
Chickpea pulao looks too good with colorful boondi raita on the side.
Srividhya says
Love this version of yours and with that boondi raita, oh man its oh so delicious only. I made qubooli biryani as well. I think its the star of the day.
Srivalli says
This is a nice version, using chickpeas is surely a filling one! The texture looks amazing.
cookwithrenu says
Proteins and carbs loaded in one dish. A healthy and a filling meal for sure.
Swati says
A wholesome and filling one pot meal.The spread with boondi raita and cucumber seems like a feast in itself.
Neha says
What a fragrant aromatic veg biryani! I have never tried Qabooli biryani. So, I am bookmarking this recipe. The combo of salad, raita with Qabooli biryani is a big thumbs-up.
Kalyani says
Thanks Neha.. do try when possible
Jayashree T Rao says
Love this chickpeas biryani. It is ideal to serve when you have guests at home.
Kalyani says
absolutely. Thanks
Seema Sriram says
We have family coming up for a visit this weekend. I will make this biryani to have with raita.
Kalyani says
awesome,Seema ! hope you / your guests also like it
Priya Vj says
I am always game for any recipe with chickpeas. The qabooli biryani is just out of the world.. I wish I stayed near you to grab a bowl when you make it next .
Kalyani says
aww. thanks pa... wish I could make you some soon !