Flavorful Chicken Biryani
Ingredients
- 1 cup oil
- 4 large onions, sliced (2 for frying, 2 for cooking chicken)
- 4 green cardamom
- 2 black cardamom
- 3 bay leaves
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium roaster chicken, cut into small pieces
- 4 green chillies, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp garam masala (used as biryani masala)
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1.5 tsp chilli powder
- 1.5 tsp cumin powder
- 1.5 tsp coriander powder
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- A handful of fried onions
For rice
- 3 cups washed basmati rice
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp garam masala
For layering
- Fried onions
- A few sprigs of mint
- Chopped coriander
- 1.5 tbsp kewra water
- 1.5 tbsp rose water
- 2 colors food coloring (optional)
Preparation
Heat 1 cup oil in a large pan, fry 2 sliced onions till golden brown, and set them aside on paper towels (or use ready fried onions).
In the same pan, add the whole spices, 2 sliced onions, minced ginger, minced garlic, tomatoes, bell pepper, salt, chicken, green chillies, ground spices, and yogurt. Cook until the oil separates from the masala.
While the chicken cooks, boil a large pot of water. Add 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp garam masala, and the washed rice. Boil until the rice is 80% cooked.
Layer the partially cooked rice over the chicken masala in the pan. Top with fried onions, mint, and chopped coriander.
Sprinkle kewra water and rose water over the rice for aromatic flavor. Add food coloring if desired.
Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and cook on low heat for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the rice to cook fully.
Once done, gently fluff the biryani with a fork, mixing the layers lightly. Serve hot and enjoy!