Chicken Biryani

 Chicken Biryani Recipe

Ingredients

- 2 cups Basmati rice

- 500g chicken, cut into pieces

- 2 onions, thinly sliced

- 2 tomatoes, chopped

- 2 tablespoons biryani masala

- 1/2 cup yogurt

- 2 tablespoons cooking oil

- 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)

- 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste

- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (you can adjust to taste)

- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

- Salt to taste

- Fresh coriander and mint leaves (for garnish)

- Saffron strands soaked in 2 tablespoons of warm milk (optional, for color and flavor)

INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1: Wash the rice thoroughly and soak it in water for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.

STEP 2: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or a pressure cooker, heat the cooking oil and ghee over medium heat.

STEP 3: Add the sliced onions and sauté until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove half of the fried onions.

STEP 4: Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell disappears.

STEP 5: Add the chicken and cook until they turn white on all sides.

STEP 6: Add the chopped tomatoes, biryani masala, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes turns into a paste and the oil starts to separate.

STEP 7: Reduce the heat and add the yogurt. Stir well to combine and cook for a few more minutes until the chicken is tender and the gravy thickens.

STEP 8: In a separate large pot, boil water. Add rice to the boiling water. Cook the rice until it is 70-80% cooked (it should still have a slight bite). Drain the rice and set aside.

STEP 9: Layer the partially cooked rice over the chicken gravy in the pot. Sprinkle the saffron milk over the rice for a beautiful color and aroma (optional).

STEP 10: Cover the pot tightly and cook on low heat for about 20-25 minutes. Alternatively, you can place a heavy pan or tava (griddle) under the pot to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.

STEP 11: Once the biryani is done, let it rest for a few minutes before opening the lid. Fluff the rice gently with a fork, and garnish with the reserved fried onions, fresh mint leaves, and coriander leaves.

Your delicious Chicken Biryani is ready to be served. Enjoy it with raita or a salad!