Chicken Biryani recipe

Chicken Biryani is a classic Indian dish known for its rich flavor and aromatic spices. Here's a recipe for you:

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:

1. Chicken - 1 kg, cut into pieces
2. Yogurt - 1 cup
3. Ginger-garlic paste - 2 tbsp
4. Red chili powder - 1 tsp
5. Turmeric powder - ½ tsp
6. Garam masala powder - 1 tsp
7. Coriander powder - 1 tsp
8. Cumin powder - 1 tsp
9. Lemon juice - 2 tbsp
10. Salt - to taste

For the Rice:

1. Basmati rice - 2 cups, washed and soaked for 30 minutes
2. Whole spices - bay leaves (2), cloves (4), green cardamoms (3), cinnamon stick (1 inch), star anise (1)
3. Salt - to taste

For the Biryani:

1. Onions - 2, thinly sliced
2. Tomatoes - 2, chopped
3. Green chilies - 2-3, slit
4. Mint leaves - a handful, chopped
5. Cilantro (coriander) leaves - a handful, chopped
6. Saffron - a pinch, soaked in ¼ cup warm milk
7. Oil or ghee - for cooking
8. Water - as needed

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken:

   • Combine all the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl. Add the chicken pieces and mix well. Marinate for at least 1 hour, preferably longer.

2. Cook the Rice:

   • Boil water in a large pot, add the whole spices and salt. Add the soaked rice and cook until it's about 70% done. Drain and set aside.

3. Fry Onions:

   • In a large pot, heat oil or ghee. Fry the onions until golden brown. Remove half for garnishing.

4. Cook the Chicken:

   • In the same pot, add the marinated chicken. Cook until the chicken is half done.
   • Add the chopped tomatoes, green chilies, mint, and cilantro. Cook until the chicken is almost done.

5. Layer the Biryani:

   • On the chicken, layer the partially cooked rice. Sprinkle the saffron-infused milk over the rice.
   • Add the fried onions, mint, and cilantro on top.

6. Dum (Steam Cook):

   • Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. You can seal the edges with dough to trap the steam.
   • Cook on a very low heat for about 20-25 minutes.

7. Serve:

   • Gently fluff and mix the biryani before serving. Serve hot with raita (yogurt sauce) and salad.

Enjoy your Chicken Biryani! The key to a good biryani is in the balance of flavors and the quality of rice used. Each region in India has its own version of biryani, so feel free to experiment with different spices and techniques.