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Chicken Tikka Biryani is loved only because the marinated chicken comes together with basmati rice and aromatic spices to bring forth a delicious blend of flavours to assuage your taste buds.
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Though this process may take a little time, its finished product serves as a good prize to that exercise in itself.
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So here's a step-by-step guide to making a luscious Chicken Tikka Biryani sure to impress family and friends.
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Marinate 500 gms of boneless chicken pieces in flavours. Mix 200 gms of yoghurt, 2 tablespoons of ginger-garlic paste, 1 tablespoon of red chilli powder, 1 tablespoon of garam masala, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and salt according to taste in a large mixing bowl.
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Yogurt mellows out the roughness inside the meat, while spices make it even more flavourful. Ensure all the pieces of chicken are well marinated-coated.
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Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you prefer. This marinating will do the trick to make juicy, flavourful chicken.
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Cook basmati rice while the chicken is marinating. Rinse 500 gms of basmati rice in running cold water till the waters run clear.
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This step removes extra starch and also facilitates holding the rice grains apart. In a large pot, bring 1.5 litres of water to a boil.
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Add two teaspoons of salt, two bay leaves, three cloves, and 2 green cardamoms for flavour.
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Put the soaked and cleaned rice into boiling water and cook until it is 70% done, around 6-8 minutes. The cooked rice should be slightly crunchy.
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It will remain to be cooked when it is placed in the oven later. Drain the water and put the half-cooked rice aside.
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Now, the marinated chicken needs to be cooked. Place 4 tablespoons of oil in a large pan and put it on the fire with medium heat.
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Add the marinated pieces of chicken, spreading the pieces evenly across the pan so that everything gets cooked at the same time.
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Saut the chicken until it is 90% cooked, which should take about 10-12 minutes.
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At this point, do not overcook the chicken since it will be finished cooking later with the rice. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set it aside.
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Add 2 tablespoons of oil, if required, in the same pan, and then add 2 sliced onions. Saut the onions until they attain a golden brown, around 6-8 minutes.
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The caramelised onions will give sweetness as well as depth to your biryani.
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Once the onions turn golden, add 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste and let it cook for another 2 minutes. This time it should let that raw aroma go away.
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Add to the pan 2 tomatoes that have been chopped, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 red chilli powder, 1 teaspoon garam masala, and salt to taste.
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Mix well and continue cooking till the tomatoes are soft and the oil separates from the masala, which will take about 5-7 minutes. This step prepares a rich, flavourful base for the biryani.
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Now once the masala is ready, then put cooked chicken pieces over it. Spread this well over all the pieces so that every bite has flavour in it.
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After that, you'll put a layer of half-rice preparation over the chicken. Layering is important in biryani because it brings flavours together very nicely.
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To finish, top the rice with 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves and 1/4 cup of chopped coriander leaves, plus 1/4 cup fried onions. The aroma and flavours from the fresh herbs and fried onions will elevate the dish.
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Cover a pan with a closed lid or aluminium foil to trap steam inside and lock flavours in. Heat it low for 20-25 minutes by which the chicken gets fully cooked and the rice absorbs all the mouth-watering flavour and aroma of the spices and herbs.
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Remove the lid carefully and let the steam escape. Once this is done, simply mix the biryani lightly without breaking the rice grains.
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If need be, it can be fluffed up with a fork to prevent layers of chicken and rice from getting mushy.
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Serve your recipe of chicken tikka biryani hot and accompanied by raita, salad, or your favourite side dishes.
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This chicken tikka biryani will surely become a family favourite, praised for its aromatic flavours and fulfilling textures that come in perfect harmony.
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Enjoy the delightful experience of sharing this classic dish with loved ones!