SIMPLE CHICKEN BIRYANI FOR BEGINNERS

Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Clean & wash the chicken pieces. Drain the water or pat dry.
  2. 2Slice the onions and tomatoes.
  3. 3Slit 6 green chillies.
  4. 4Chop 1 cup coriander leaves and 1 cup mint.
  5. 5Whisk the yogurt and set aside.
  6. 6Wash & soak the Basmati Rice for 30 mins.
  7. 7Heat 6 tbsp oil in a heavy bottom pan and add the sliced onions.
  8. 8Fry onions on high heat for around 12 mins till they are light brown.
  9. 9Add the ginger garlic paste and fry on low heat for 2 mins.
  10. 10Now add the chicken pieces, mix and fry on high heat for 2-3 mins.
  11. 11Add the ready made Biryani Masala, mix and fry on medium heat for 3 mins after adding a splash of water.
  12. 12Now add the sliced tomatoes, mix it well and cook on medium to low heat for 4-5 mins till soft.
  13. 13Keep the heat on low and add the whisked curd/yogurt. Give a mix and then add the chopped coriander and mint leaves.
  14. 14Cook on low heat for 2 mins till oil separates.
  15. 15Cover & cook on low heat for around 20-25 mins till chicken is tender. Remove lid after 10 mins, give a mix and close the lid again.
  16. 16Dry up any excess water to get a thick gravy.
  17. 17Take one more heavy bottom pan & add around 2.5 litres of water. Place it on high heat.
  18. 18Once the water starts to boil or bubble, add Shah Jeera - 1/2 tsp, Green cardamom -4, Cloves - 4, Cinnamon- 2 pieces and Salt- 2 1/2 tablespoon.
  19. 19Stir it well to dissolve the salt completely. The water must be very salty.
  20. 20Once the water starts boiling, add the strained basmati rice & stir it well.
  21. 21Continue to boil it on high heat, stirring few times very gently to not break the rice.
  22. 22After 8-9 minutes when the basmati rice is almost done (90%) remove it from heat and strain the water. Set it aside.
  23. 23Take a heavy bottom pan and spread half the cooked rice as the 1st layer.
  24. 24Now spread the cooked chicken with gravy on top of the rice uniformly.
  25. 25Next, spread the balance rice as the top layer.
  26. 26Sprinkle some mint leaves on top of the rice. Close the lid and cook on low heat for 7-8 mins.
  27. 27Allow it to rest for around 20 mins.
  28. 28Once you open the lid, mix the chicken and rice evenly.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg Chicken, large pieces with bones
  • 700 gms Basmati Rice
  • 400 gms Onions, sliced
  • 2 tbsp Ginger Garlic paste
  • 4 medium Tomatoes, sliced
  • 6 numbers Green Chillies, slit
  • 1 cup Coriander leaves, chopped
  • 1 cup Mint leaves, chopped
  • 1 cup Whisked curd/plain yogurt
  • 5 tbsp Ready made Biryani Masala
  • 0.5 tsp Shahjeera (caraway seeds)
  • 4 Green cardamom
  • 4 Cloves
  • 2 pieces Cinnamon
  • 2.5 tablespoon Salt
  • 2.5 litres Water to boil the rice
  • 10 leaves Mint leaves
  • 6 tbsp Oil
  • splash Water

Equipment

CELA Large Stainless Steel Cutting BoardCELA 2 in 1 Glass Oil Sprayer and Dispenser BottleCELA Digital Kitchen Timerheavy bottom pan

Tips

  • Readymade Biryani Masala usually contains salt, so check if the biryani masala you are using has salt in it and adjust accordingly.
  • You may include the water in which rice was soaked when boiling for enhanced flavour & taste.
  • When boiling rice, stir gently to not break the rice.
  • Allow the biryani to rest for around 20 minutes after cooking on low heat with the lid closed.