Chicken Biryani Recipe

Chicken Biryani Recipe 😍

### Ingredients

#### For the Rice:
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 4 cups water
- 2-3 green cardamom pods
- 4 cloves
- 1-inch cinnamon stick
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt to taste

#### For the Chicken Marinade:
- 500 grams chicken (cut into pieces)
- 1 cup yogurt
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste

#### For the Biryani:
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 2-3 green chilies, slit
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
- 1/2 teaspoon saffron strands soaked in 2 tablespoons warm milk
- Fried onions (optional, for garnish)

### Instructions

#### Preparing the Rice:
1. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, and salt.
3. Add the rice and cook until it's 70% cooked (it should still have a bite to it). Drain the rice and set it aside.

#### Marinating the Chicken:
1. In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt.
2. Cover and marinate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight in the refrigerator.

#### Cooking the Biryani:
1. Heat ghee or oil in a large pot. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
2. Add the sliced onions and cook until they turn golden brown.
3. Add the chopped tomatoes and green chilies. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and the oil starts to separate.
4. Add the marinated chicken and cook on medium heat until the chicken is cooked through and the oil starts to separate.
5. Layer the partially cooked rice over the chicken mixture.
6. Sprinkle the chopped cilantro and mint over the rice.
7. Drizzle the saffron milk over the top.
8. Cover the pot tightly with a lid or aluminum foil to trap the steam.
9. Cook on low heat (dum) for about 20-25 minutes, until the rice is fully cooked and the flavors have melded together.

#### Serving:
1. Gently fluff the rice with a fork, being careful not to break the rice grains.
2. Garnish with fried onions, if using.
3. Serve hot with raita or your favorite side dish.

Enjoy your Chicken Biryani!