Chicken Biryani

 

If there is one, momentous food that could define happiness for me, it would be Biryani, Scrumptious – mouth watering Chicken Biryani. Even the sound of the word is pleasing. A regal dish, Biryani is a dish which is fit to be eaten by a King.

 

It is a perfect meal  to make when you have company or when you are alone(This dish is so good it will be perfect whenever you make it ). Traditionally Biryani was a festive food. But isn’t there always something to celebrate especially when you have such lip smacking food.
There are many variations of this dish and today I am making the classic Chicken Biryani.

To make this you will need:-

For marinating Chicken

•  600-650 gm of cleaned and cut chicken without liver and gizzards
•  ½ cup yogurt
• 2 teaspoon of Ginger Garlic Paste –
• 2 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper (Red Chilli Powder)
• 2 teaspoon of Biryani Masala (Here is a link to my Home Made Biryani Masala)
• Salt – As per taste
• 2 to 3 teaspoons of Lemon Juice
• ¼ cup of Fresh mint leaves
• ¼ cup Golden Brown Fried Onions

For Preparing Rice

• 2 cups Long grained Basmati Rice
• 2 Bay leaves
• 2 Green Cardamoms
• 2 Black Cardamoms
• 4 Cloves
• 8 Black Peppercorn
• 1 inch Cinnamon Stick
• 6 cups of water
• A pinch of salt
• One small muslin cloth

For Cooking Chicken

• 2 tablespoon  Oil
• Marinated Pieces of Chicken

For Arranging Biryani Layers

• ½ cup fried Onion slices
• 1 cup melted ghee (butter)
• A pinch of Saffron soaked in ½ cup Milk (Lukewarm)
• 1 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
• ¼ cup Mint Leaves
• ¼ cup Cilantro (Coriander leaves) chopped
• 3 green chilies
• 6 drops of orange food color(optional)

Steps:

1. First step is to marinate the chicken. For this add the curd, fried onions, mint leaves, red chili powder(Cayenne), Biryani Masala, salt and yogurt and mix well to form a paste.
   
2. Add the chicken pieces to this paste, coat the chicken on all sides and refrigerate covered for 30 minutes.
   
3. To prepare the rice, tie the green and black cardamoms, cloves, black peppercorns, cinnamon stick and bay leaves together in a small muslin cloth. (We do this so that the rice is flavored with spices and then the spices can be easily removed from the rice once it is cooked so that nobody bites into them)
   
4. Now in a pan add the rice and water along with the muslin cloth with spices . Add salt to season the rice. Now bring the rice to boil. Remove from heat once the rice is 3/4th cooked. Remove the muslin cloth with spices. Drain the rice and set aside.
   
5. Now heat oil in a pan and add the marinated chicken into it. Cook till chicken is tender and cooked.
   
6. The next step is to assemble the different layers of Biryani. We will start with a layer of Rice. Spread a layer of rice in a thick bottom pot.
   
7. Now add a layer of chicken that you cooked .
   
8. Now  sprinkle some(approx 1/3 of all ingredients as we will make 3 layers) fried onions, mint leaves, chopped cilantro(coriander leaves), ghee/butter and one green chilli.
   
9. Add 2-3 tablespoon of milk with saffron
   
10. Now add 2-3 drops of food color (optional)
    
11. Finally sprinkle some garam masala and your first layer is complete.
12. Now add another layer of rice and repeat the steps 6, 7, 8 and 9
    
13. Once you have prepared the layers cover the pot with Aluminum foil
14. Finally cover the pot with lid and seal the edges with dough. Put and flame on low flame and let it cook for about 20 minutes.
    

Garnish with some onion and fresh coriander and your briyani is ready.

Serve hot with green chutney and Raita ..

Enjoy your chicken briyani..

What is your favorite rice recipe? Please let me know which other rice recipe you would like me to share in the comment section below.

Stay Cheerful..Stay Flavorful !!