Chicken Biryani is a classic South Asian dish made with aromatic spices, long-grain Basmati rice, and tender chicken pieces that are cooked together to create a flavorful and hearty meal. Here’s a simple recipe for making Chicken Biryani at home:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Basmati rice
- 1 lb chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 large onion, sliced thinly
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp garam masala
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves (coriander)
- 1/4 cup chopped mint leaves
- 2-3 whole green cardamom pods
- 2-3 whole cloves
- 1-inch cinnamon stick
- 1 bay leaf
- Saffron strands (optional)
- Fried onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Rinse the Basmati rice in water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 30 minutes.
- Heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions and fry until they turn golden brown. Remove the fried onions from the pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the chicken and sauté for 5-7 minutes until it turns golden brown.
- Add ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, garam masala, and salt to the chicken. Mix well and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Add yogurt to the chicken mixture and mix well. Cook for another 5 minutes until the chicken is tender and the spices have blended well.
- Drain the soaked rice and add it to the chicken mixture. Mix well until the rice is well coated with the spices.
- Add 2 cups of water to the pot and stir gently. Add green cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf to the pot.
- Cover the pot and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the rice is cooked and the water has evaporated. If using saffron, dissolve it in 1-2 tbsp of warm water and sprinkle it over the rice.
- Once the rice is cooked, remove the pot from heat and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with fried onions, cilantro leaves, and mint leaves.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ready Time: 60 minutes
This recipe makes 4-6 servings of Chicken Biryani. Enjoy!
