Chicken biryani | Chicken Biryani

Biryani is a popular Indian rice dish made with aromatic spices, either with the meat of your choice (chicken, beef, goat, lamb, fish, shrimp) or with eggs or vegetables (potato, mushrooms, sweetcorn, cauliflower, paneer, etc.)

Ingredients for chicken marinade -

• 400 grams chicken thighs
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 cup of Basmati rice
• 1 tablespoon of oil
• 4 to 5 cups of water
• 1 teaspoon of salt

• 2 onions chopped lengthwise
• 5 to 6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 inch ginger, finely chopped
• 2 to 3 green chilies, chopped
• 5-6 fresh mint leaves
• 2 diced tomatoes
• 6 to 8 strands of cilantro or coriander leaves
• 1/4 cup of Mint or Pudina leaves
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter
• 1-inch cinnamon stick
• 3 to 4 cardamom pods
• 3 to 4 cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
• 1 tablespoon of biryani masala
• 3-4 tablespoons of butter
• 1/4 cup of water

COOKING RICE -
Wash and soak the rice in water for 15 minutes. In the pot, add the rice along with the water and salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the rice is 80% cooked. Drain and set aside.

CHICKEN MARINADE -
In a bowl, add the chicken thighs, turmeric powder, chili powder, salt, and the juice of one lemon. Mix and set aside for 15 minutes.

Chicken Biryani Preparation -

• In a pan, add ghee. Once hot, add the cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, bay leaf, and cumin seeds, and sauté for a few seconds.
• Add the marinated chicken and cook for 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, add the garlic, ginger, green chilies, and mint leaves. Turn the chicken over and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Add onion, tomato, cilantro leaves, mint leaves, and biryani masala and mix well. Cook for a minute. Now spread it evenly to cover the base of the pan.
• Add the partially cooked rice, spread evenly, and garnish with a little more mint and cilantro leaves.
• Finally, add ghee and sprinkle a little more biryani masala powder, then add 1/4 cup of water. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked. Now enjoy the chicken biryani with your favorite salad.

Tips:

• Use basmati or long grain rice for best results.
• Adjust spices to taste.
• If the rice remains uncooked after the indicated time, splash water and continue cooking.
• Marinating makes the chicken flavorful, tender, and juicy when cooked. So don't skip this step.
• Chicken thighs and drumsticks are always good for biryani.