Cashew Chicken Vermicelli

Quick, easy and spicy Cashew Chicken Vermicelli is best One Pot Meal. Soon to become staple in your kitchen, this recipe is tasty, low in mess and ready in just 30 minutes. Chicken vermicelli | chicken semiya pulao is a saviour when you are busy or lazy to cook. Chicken Vermicelli is a perfect iftar or seher meal too.

Here are more one pot meals that you may like Aloo Dum Biryani, Hyderabadi Chicken Tahari, Millet Khichdi, Qubooli, Mamidikaya Semiya Pulihora and Millet Daleem.

About This Recipe

Vermicelli is staple in Indian cuisine. We make a lot of sweet and savory dishes with vermicelli. Even vermicelli is used in soups or as a covering over cutlet, etc;

The main ingredients of this recipe are chicken, vermicelli and cashew nuts. The good part of this recipe is, you can use leftover chicken fry in making this recipe. If using leftover chicken fry, then it takes even more less time to make this chicken vermicelli recipe.

As ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, onion and lemon go in making this recipe, we can easily call this as chicken vermicelli pulao or chicken semiya pulao.

Why Should I Try This Recipe?

This chicken vermicelli recipe is quick and easy version of pulao. When you are craving for pulao and have less time, then try this amazing chicken semiya pulao. This is a good recipe to use leftover chicken.

Chicken vermicelli is a perfect meal on a busy day and also makes a good lunch box recipe. You can even pack this for overnight train or bus journey.

This is an easy 30-minute one pot meal, which is simple and nutritious. Add your choice of vegetables and make it more yum!

Main Ingredients & Tips

Vermicelli | Semiya – Generally referred to as Indian Pasta. In India, we call vermicelli as semiya or seviyan. Vermicelli is thin noodle which looks like broken down spaghetti. Both roasted and unroasted varieties of vermicelli are easily available in any grocery store. Roasted vermicelli are brown in color and unroasted vermicelli is white or cream in color.

How To Roast Vermicelli?

I used MTR Roasted Vermicelli in making this recipe. But, if you are using unroasted vermicelli, then first add tbsp. of oil to a pan and fry vermicelli. Fry on low flame by continuously stirring until vermicelli turns light golden brown. Turn off the flame and remove it on to a plate and spread evenly. Set aside till use.

Chicken – I used leftover chicken fry in making this recipe. But here is a quick recipe which you can follow to make chicken for this recipe,

Quick Chicken Fry

If using fresh chicken, try using boneless chicken cubes. Wash chicken cubes thoroughly and marinate with red chili powder, turmeric powder, ginger-garlic paste and salt. Set aside for 10 minutes. In a pan heat oil and fry the chicken pieces till they are soft and succulent. Remove and set aside till use.

Instead of chicken cubes, you can use chicken mince (keema) or mutton mince. It is purely your choice to add chicken chunks or shredded chicken. If willing to add shredded chicken, then add chicken fry to food processor and pulse for 10-15 seconds. Alternatively you can shred the chicken fry using a fork too.

Ginger-Garlic Paste – Adds flavour, spice and heat.

Garam Masala – Brings in aroma and flavour of pulao.

Cashew Nuts – Adds crunch and taste. Adding cashew nuts is purely optional. You can make this nut-free too. Or you can add cubed carrots, French beans and green peas and make this vermicelli look appetizing and nutritious.

Lemon Juice – Balances the flavours and adds nice tangy taste to the recipe.

How To Make Cashew Chicken Vermicelli

There are two methods to make this cashew chicken vermicelli. One is by pre-boiling the roasted vermicelli, straining and adding to the chicken masala.

In the other method, we add chicken to spicy onion-ginger garlic masala and then we add water. When the water starts to boil, we add vermicelli and cook till done. Generally for 1 cup of vermicelli, I use 1½  cups of water. But sometimes, in this method vermicelli gets mushy upon cooking.

If you are making this recipe for the first time, then I suggest you to go for pre-boiling vermicelli method only.

**Important Note: When using leftover chicken fry, adjust salt in vermicelli accordingly.

Step-by-Step Recipe