Indian Biryani Recipe
Indian · Main course · 75 min total
A fragrant and flavorful layered rice dish made with spiced meat or vegetables, saffron, and aromatic basmati rice. This recipe yields a classic chicken biryani with a rich, complex taste.
30
min prep
min prep
45
min cook
min cook
6
servings
servings
520
kcal/serving
kcal/serving
Ingredients
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 1 lb chicken thighs, bone-in, skinless
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup ghee or vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
- 2 green chilies, slit
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 4 green cardamom pods
- 4 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup warm milk
- 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
- Salt to taste
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Wash basmati rice and soak in water for 30 minutes. Drain.
- In a bowl, mix yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Add chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat ghee in a large pot. Fry sliced onions until golden brown. Remove half for garnish.
- Add cumin seeds, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and bay leaf to the pot. Sauté for 1 minute.
- Add marinated chicken and cook on high heat for 5 minutes, stirring. Add green chilies, mint, and cilantro. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Add 3 cups water and bring to a boil. Add soaked rice, stir gently, and bring to a boil again. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
- Meanwhile, warm milk and soak saffron threads. Drizzle over the rice after cooking.
- Let biryani rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with reserved fried onions. Serve hot.
Tips
- For extra layers, you can partially cook the rice separately and layer with chicken in a pot, then dum cook on low heat.
- Serve with raita (yogurt sauce) or a simple salad.
- Leftover biryani can be refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat in a microwave or on stovetop with a splash of water.
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