Simple Chicken Briyani Recipe

Chicken biryani is a popular and flavorful Indian dish made with chicken, rice, and a blend of aromatic spices. It's a delightful combination of tender chicken pieces, fragrant rice, and a rich, spiced gravy. Here's a basic recipe for chicken biryani:

Ingredients:

For Marinating the Chicken:

• 500 grams of chicken pieces (bone-in or boneless)
• 1 cup yogurt
• 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• Salt to taste

For Cooking the Rice:

• 2 cups basmati rice
• Water
• Salt
• Whole spices (bay leaves, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon)

For Assembling the Biryani:

• Saffron strands soaked in warm milk (for garnish, optional)
• Ghee or oil for frying onions
• Sliced onions
• Chopped mint leaves
• Chopped coriander leaves

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken:

   • In a bowl, mix the yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, and salt.
   • Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated.
   • Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.

2. Cook the Rice:

   • Wash the rice and soak it in water for 30 minutes.
   • In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add salt and the whole spices.
   • Drain the soaked rice and add it to the boiling water.
   • Cook the rice until it's 70-80% done (it should still have a slight bite to it).
   • Drain and set aside.

3. Fry Onions:

   • In a separate pan, heat ghee or oil and fry the sliced onions until they are golden brown and crispy.
   • Remove the fried onions and set them aside.

4. Assemble the Biryani:

   • In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, layer the marinated chicken at the bottom.
   • Add a layer of partially cooked rice on top of the chicken.
   • Sprinkle a handful of chopped mint and coriander leaves over the rice.
   • Add a few saffron strands soaked in warm milk for a rich color and flavor (optional).
   • Repeat the layers until all the chicken and rice are used up.
   • Top it with the fried onions.

5. Dum Cooking:

   • Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid or seal it with dough to ensure no steam escapes.
   • Cook on low heat for about 30-40 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook and the flavors to meld.

6. Serve:

   • Gently fluff the biryani with a fork before serving, taking care not to break the rice grains.
   • Serve hot with raita or a side salad.

Chicken biryani is a delicious and aromatic dish that's perfect for special occasions or any day you want to enjoy a flavorful Pakistani meal. You can adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more or less chili powder and garam masala.