Chicken Biryani

Chicken Biryani is a fragrant and flavorful Indian rice dish layered with marinated chicken, aromatic spices, and basmati rice.

Ingredients:

• 500 grams chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 cups basmati rice, washed and soaked for 30 minutes
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 green chilies, slit lengthwise
• 1/4 cup chopped mint leaves
• 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon biryani masala (or garam masala)
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
• Whole spices (cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, bay leaves)
• Saffron strands soaked in warm milk (optional)
• Fried onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Marinate the chicken pieces with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, biryani masala, salt, chopped mint leaves, and chopped coriander leaves. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. In a large pot, heat ghee or oil and add the whole spices. Sauté until fragrant.
3. Add the sliced onions and cook until golden brown.
4. Add the marinated chicken along with chopped tomatoes and slit green chilies. Cook until the chicken is partially cooked.
5. Meanwhile, parboil the soaked basmati rice with salt and whole spices until it's 70% cooked. Drain and set aside.
6. In the pot with the partially cooked chicken, layer half of the parboiled rice evenly over the chicken.
7. Sprinkle saffron-infused milk (if using) over the rice for colour and flavor.
8. Layer the remaining rice over the first layer.
9. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and cook on low heat for 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld and the rice to cook completely.
10. Once done, gently fluff the biryani with a fork, garnish with fried onions (if using), and serve hot.

‍

This will become a family favourite in no time!