Chicken Biryani is a popular South Asian dish made with aromatic rice, tender chicken, and a blend of spices. It’s a flavorful and satisfying dish that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make chicken biryani step by step.
Ingredients:
1 lb. chicken, bone-in, skinless
2 cups basmati rice
1 large onion, sliced thinly
2 tomatoes, chopped
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 tbsp. ghee or clarified butter
2 cloves
2 cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. cumin seeds
1 tsp. coriander powder
1 tsp. garam masala
1 tsp. red chili powder
1 tsp. turmeric powder
Salt to taste
4 cups water
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup fried onions (optional)
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and marinate with salt, red chili powder, and turmeric powder for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: Wash and Soak the Rice
Wash the rice in several changes of water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Fry the Onions
Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Add the sliced onions and fry until golden brown. Remove the onions from the pot and set aside.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
In the same pot, heat ghee or clarified butter. Add the cloves, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, and cumin seeds. Sauté for a few seconds until fragrant. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they are soft and mushy. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 10-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 5: Cook the Rice
In a separate pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the soaked rice along with salt, coriander powder, and garam masala. Cook the rice until it’s 70% done. Drain the water and set the rice aside.
Step 6: Layer the Biryani
In the pot with the cooked chicken, add a layer of half of the cooked rice. Sprinkle half of the chopped cilantro, mint leaves, and fried onions on top. Add the remaining rice on top and sprinkle the rest of the cilantro, mint leaves, and fried onions.
Step 7: Cook the Biryani
Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and the flavors have melded together.
Step 8: Serve the Biryani
Gently fluff the rice with a fork and serve hot with raita, a side salad, or any other accompaniment of your choice.
Tips:
You can add other vegetables like peas, carrots, or potatoes to the biryani for added flavor and nutrition.
To make the biryani spicier, add more red chili powder or green chilies to the recipe.
Make sure to use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to prevent the biryani from burning or sticking to the bottom.
You can also use a pressure cooker to cook the chicken and rice separately and then layer them together in a pot for the final cooking stage.
In conclusion, chicken biryani is a delicious.
