- 1
Wash 500 gms of basmati rice thoroughly and soak it in water for 30 minutes. After soaking, drain the water and set the rice aside.
- 2
In a large bowl, mix 500 gms of boneless chicken pieces with 200 gms of yoghurt, 1 tsp of ginger-garlic paste, 1 tsp of red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder, 1 tsp of garam masala, 1/2 tsp of coriander powder, and salt to taste.
- 3
Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes. This helps the chicken to absorb the flavours well.
- 4
Heat 4 tbsp of oil or ghee in a large pan over medium heat. Add 2 thinly sliced onions and fry them until they turn golden brown.
- 5
Once fried, remove half of the onions from the pan and set them aside for garnishing later.
- 6
In the same pan with the remaining onions, add 2 chopped tomatoes, 1/2 tsp of ginger-garlic paste, and two slit green chillies. Cook until the tomatoes become soft and the mixture turns aromatic.
- 7
Add the marinated chicken to the pan. Cook on medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ensure the chicken is well-cooked and the oil starts to separate from the masala.
- 8
In a separate large pot, bring 1.5 litres of water to a boil. Add 2 tsp of salt, 2-3 cloves, 2-3 green cardamoms, 1-inch cinnamon stick, and one bay leaf to the boiling water.
- 9
Add the soaked and drained rice to the pot and cook until the rice is about 70% done. This means the rice should still be firm. Drain the rice and set it aside.
- 10
In the pan with the cooked chicken, start layering the biryani. First, add a layer of the chicken mixture, then a layer of the partially cooked rice.
- 11
Repeat the layers, ensuring the topmost layer is of rice.
- 12
Sprinkle the reserved fried onions, chopped coriander leaves, and chopped mint leaves over the top layer of rice.
- 13
Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid or seal it with aluminium foil. This helps to trap the steam and cook the biryani evenly.
- 14
Cook the biryani on low heat for 20-25 minutes. This slow cooking allows the flavours to meld together beautifully, resulting in a fragrant and delicious dish.
- 15
Once the biryani is fully cooked, gently fluff it up with a fork, mixing the layers together.
- 16
Serve the hot chicken biryani with raita or your favourite side dish. Enjoy your flavourful and aromatic homemade biryani.
- 17
If you liked this recipe of Chicken Biryani, don't forget to share it with your friends and family.