Chicken Briyani Recipe

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:

1. Rinse the Basmati rice in water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 30 minutes.
2. 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.
3. In the same pot, add the chicken and sauté for 5-7 minutes until it turns golden brown.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Drain the soaked rice and add it to the chicken mixture. Mix well until the rice is well coated with the spices.
7. Add 2 cups of water to the pot and stir gently. Add green cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf to the pot.
8. 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.
9. 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!