Biryani is an aromatic, flavorful and mouthwatering dish popular not only in India but all around the globe. It belongs to Indian Mughlai cuisine. This delicious Indian dish is known for its succulent meat (goat or chicken) layered with long grain basmati rice. In this blog we will learn how to make Chicken Biryani.
Chicken biryani preparation
Now you can make chicken biryani at home with this simple yet authentic recipe. Here is the list of ingredients used in chicken biryani.
- chicken ( with bones) about 2 pounds
- Onions 2 medium size
- Tomatoes 3 medium size
- Green chilies 6-8 whole
- Ginger garlic paste 1 and half tablespoons
- Salt to taste
- Red chili powder 1 and a half teaspoon
- Coriander powder 2 teaspoons
- Turmeric powder one fourth teaspoon
- Fennel powder 2 teaspoon
- Plain yogurt 3 tablespoons
- Dried plums 5-6
- Saffron infused milk half cup
- Ghee
- Fresh coriander leaves chopped
Whole spices
- Bay leaf 1
- Green cardamoms 4
- Cloves 6
- Cinnamon stick 1
- Three fourth teaspoon shahi Jeera ( caraway seeds)
- Black cardamom 2
To make biryani at home it’s very important to use the best quality basmati rice. The aged basmati rice gives the flavor and aroma to the dish. The golden hue color in the extra-long grain basmati rice is the proof that rice is of the best quality.
Instructions
Step 1 – In a large pot add 1 cup oil, I use canola oil. Add the whole spices mentioned above. Once the whole spices starts to crackle, add thinly sliced onions in it. Keep stirring them so that they don’t burn.
Step 2 – Once the onions are beautiful brown in color, add chicken pieces in it. Keep frying them on high flames as chicken will release moisture. Also add ginger garlic paste and keep on stirring the chicken. As chicken turns light golden pink, add thinly sliced tomatoes and whole green chilies in it and mix them well. Close the lid of the pot and put the flames on medium high. Let it cook till the tomatoes are tender. Don’t forget the stirring part, as we don’t want the chicken to get burnt.
Step 3 – In a bowl mix the yogurt well. Now when the tomatoes are tender and mushed up completely, add whisked yogurt, and all the ground spices mentioned above. Mix them well and also add the dried plums here. Once the oil starts to separate from the mix, add enough water in it. Put the lid back on and simmer the flames on low. Let the chicken cook for another 20-30 minutes. Keep the stirring going in regular intervals as this won’t let the chicken and spices stick to the vessel. In about 30 minutes the chicken will become tender and one part of our biryani will be ready.
Preparing Rice for the chicken biryani
Ingredients needed for this part are as follows:-
- Rice 4 cups ( Basmati long grain)
- Salt 8 teaspoons
- Bay leaf 1
- Cloves 3-4
- Garlic 2-3 cloves whole
- Ginger 2-3 pieces
Soak rice in enough water for at least half an hour. Wash it, and now transfer the rice in a deep pot, add at least 12 cups of water OR enough to boil them partially and put the above mentioned ingredients in it. Boil the rice to partially cooked (3/4th cooked) and now drain the excess water. At this point remove and discard the bay leaf, cloves and garlic cloves and also ginger. They were added to enhance the flavor and aroma to the rice. The aromatic Indian spices are perfect as a flavor enhancers to any dish.
Layering the chicken biryani
This is the best step in preparing the chicken biryani. In a thick bottom pot, preferably the wide open mouth pot, layer it with half of the rice. Now add the prepared chicken over it, add chopped fresh coriander leaves on it and now cover it with the remaining rice. Add saffron infused milk over the rice for the color and also aroma. Add melted ghee at this point. Cover the pot with the lid and put in on low flames for 20-25 minutes. This steaming of biryani is called “Dum”.
Now your tasty chicken biryani is ready to be served.
Readymade Spice mixes
Right now the markets are flooded with tons of readymade spice mixes. They have all sorts of spice mixes. There are options available for biryani masalas also. My personal favorite is Chicken biryani Masala by Łucky Masale. It has the right concoction of ground and whole spices in it. The color and flavor is unforgettable.
Conclusion
Biryani is a calorie and nutrient rich complete meal. It is best served with Raita, a condiment made with yogurt and cucumbers.
