Chicken Upma Recipe

Chicken Upma is a delicious and satisfying twist on the classic South Indian upma. By adding tender pieces of chicken to semolina (rava), this dish becomes a wholesome and flavorful meal that works perfectly for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. It combines the light texture of traditional upma with savory chicken and aromatic spices for a comforting one-pot dish.

---

🍲 Why You’ll Love This Chicken Upma

• A hearty variation of traditional South Indian upma
• Protein-rich with tender chicken pieces
• Balanced flavour with spices, veggies and herbs
• Easy one-pot cooking — minimal cleanup
• Ready in under 30–40 minutes

---

🍛Ingredients

• 1 cup roasted semolina (rava / suji)
• ½ to ¾ cup cooked boneless chicken, diced
• 1 tablespoon ghee or oil
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1–2 Red chillies, slit
• 10–15 curry leaves
• 1–2 beans, chopped
• 1 carrot, diced
• ¼ cabbage leaf, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ½ teaspoon pepper powder
• Salt, to taste
• 1¼ to 1¾ cups water (adjust as needed)
• Optional whole spices: cloves, cinnamon, cardamom (for extra aroma)

---

👩‍🍳 Method

1. Prepare Semolina

1. Heat a dry pan on low heat. Add the roasted semolina and lightly warm it for 1-2 minutes. Remove and set aside — this helps prevent clumping later.

---

2. Start the Base

1. In a deep pan, heat ghee or oil over low flame.
2. Add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter.
3. Add green chillies and curry leaves, sauté briefly.

---

3. Add Vegetables & Spices

1. Add chopped beans, carrot, and cabbage.
2. Sprinkle salt, turmeric and pepper powder.
3. Stir and cook 2-3 minutes until vegetables soften.

---

4. Cook Chicken

1. Add the cooked chicken to the pan.
2. Sauté for a few minutes to combine flavours.
3. Pour in water and bring it to a gentle boil.

---

5. Add Semolina

1. Lower the flame.
2. Gradually add the roasted semolina while stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
3. Cover and cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the semolina absorbs the water and the upma thickens.

---

6. Rest & Serve

1. Turn off the heat and let the upma rest for 5 minutes — this allows it to fully absorb the flavours.
2. Fluff lightly with a fork.

---

🍽️ How to Serve

Serve Chicken Upma hot with:

• Coconut chutney
• Pickles
• A squeeze of lemon
• Fresh coriander garnish

It makes a hearty breakfast, lunch, or dinner meal that’s both nourishing and satisfying.

---

📝 Tips for Best Results

• Adjust the water ratio to your preferred consistency — more water for soft upma, less for firmer texture.
• You can add peas, cashew nuts, monkey nuts or tomatoes for more vegetables.
• Toasting the semolina lightly enhances texture and prevents lumping.

---

🍗 Nutrition Highlights

This semolina and chicken combination delivers a balance of:

• Carbohydrates from semolina
• Protein from chicken
• Vitamins and fiber from vegetables

Elevate your culinary experience with a Delicious Chicken Upma, a unique twist on the traditional upma dish that introduces tender pieces of chicken into the mix. This recipe harmoniously combines the wholesome goodness of upma with the rich and savory flavors of chicken, creating a hearty and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any time of the day. Prepare to embark on a flavorful journey that redefines comfort food with every delectable bite.