Chicken Biryani (Indian Chicken Rice)

By: Aiesha Patel

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Every year around Thanksgiving my grandma makes a bowl of delicious chicken rice called Chicken Biryani. I love this recipe and can’t wait for you all to try it out.

Recipe:

• Half kg of chicken ( slit the chicken piece and add to large bowl )

• 3 Tablespoons of plain yogurt

• 1 ¼ tablespoon of ginger garlic paste

• ½ to 1 tablespoon garam masala or also the biryani masala

• ½ teaspoon of salt

• ½ to 1 teaspoon of red chili powder (reduce for kids)

• ¼ teaspoon of ground turmeric powder

• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (optional)

Directions

• Mix everything well and marinate the chicken

  • Once done let it rest to the side for an hour

• After, add 2 cups of basmati rice to a large pot and rinse three times.

• Then let it soak in water for 30 minutes

• Time to cook chicken

• Heat oil in a pot or pressure cooker. (Make sure it is large)

• Use the following spices and put them in the pan once oil is heated:

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 4 green cardamoms

  • 6 cloves

  • 1-inch cinnamon piece

  • 1 star anise

  • ¾ teaspoon caraway seeds (shahi jeera)

  • 1 strand mace

• Add thin-sliced onions and stir on medium heat (fry) until turning light brown

  • Make sure to burn onions cause they will turn out bitter

• Add the marinated chicken & saute until it becomes pale for 5 min

• Lower the heat and cover the chicken in the pot till it is soft and cooked

• Take out a small piece of chicken to check if cooked.

• Taste and see if there is more salt needed

• After add the following:

  • ¼ cup plain yogurt

  • 1 teaspoon garam masala

  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon red chili powder

  • 1 slit green chili pepper

  • 2 tablespoons chopped mint leaves

• Mix well

• Get your rice and pour it in the chicken with the pot and pour 3 cups of water and add ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt

• Taste the water to make sure it’s not too salty and pour to cup around the sides and one on top

• Level the rice on top and add 2 tablespoons of mint leaves and DON'T STIR

• Finally cover the pot if using medium heat until the rice is done completely

• If rice is undercooked pour ¼ to ½ cup of boiling water (depends on the amount of rice)

• Once it is one let it rest for 15 minutes then gently mix it with a fork

• Enjoy!!!