Best Chicken Biryani Recipe: How to Make Chicken Biryani at Home

Biryani is an aromatic, flavorful and mouthwatering dish popular not only in India but all around the globe. It belongs to Indian Mughlai cuisine as it was introduced by the Mughals. This luscious treat is enjoyed on special occasions. This delicious Indian dish is known for its succulent meat (goat or chicken) layered with long grain basmati rice. In this blog we will learn how to make Chicken Biryani at home.

Chicken biryani preparation

Chicken biryani is a delicacy which is made on special events. Exceptional preparations are taken to make this luscious dish. Though making biryani looks like a daunting task, but here it’s my job to simplify the chicken biryani recipe for the readers. Now you can make chicken biryani at home with this simple yet authentic recipe. Here is the list of ingredients used in chicken biryani.

1. Chicken (with bones) about 2 pounds.
2. Onions 2 medium size.
3. Tomatoes 3 medium size.
4. Green Chilies 6-8 whole.
5. Ginger Garlic paste 1 and half tablespoons.
6. Salt to taste.
7. Red chili powder 1 and a half teaspoon.
8. Coriander powder 2 teaspoons.
9. Turmeric powder one fourth teaspoon.
10. Fennel powder 2 teaspoon.
11. Plain yogurt 3 tablespoons.
12. Dried plums 5-6.
13. Saffron infused milk half cup.
14. Ghee.
15. Fresh coriander leaves chopped.

Whole spices

1. Bay leaf 1
2. Green Cardamoms 4
3. Cloves 6
4. Cinnamon Stick 1
5. Three fourth teaspoon shahi Jeera ( caraway seeds)
6. Black Cardamom 2

To make chicken biryani at home it’s very important to use the best quality basmati rice. The aged basmati rice gives the flavor and aroma to the dish. The golden hue color in the extra-long grain basmati rice is the proof that rice is of the best quality. Soaking the raw rice before partially boiling it is also very important as it helps in puffing up the rice. Many recipes on the internet says about marinating the chicken with the spices, but I prefer not to marinate. I lean towards adding the spices one by one.

Chicken Biryani Recipe – How to Make Chicken Biryani Step by Step

Here I am going to share the step by step recipe of chicken biryani. Don’t get intimidated by the list of spices and the steps involved. Once you start cooking, it’s the most phenomenal experience.

Instructions

Step 1 – In a large pot add 1 cup oil, I use canola oil. Add the whole spices mentioned above. Once the whole spices starts to crackle, add thinly sliced onions in it. Keep stirring them so that they don’t burn.

Step 2 – Once the onions are beautiful brown in color, add chicken pieces in it. Keep frying them on high flames as chicken will release moisture. Also add ginger garlic paste and keep on stirring the chicken. As chicken turns light golden pink, add thinly sliced tomatoes and whole green chilies in it and mix them well. Close the lid of the pot and put the flames on medium high. Let it cook till the tomatoes are tender. Don’t forget the stirring part, as we don’t want the chicken to get burnt.

Step 3 – In a bowl mix the yogurt well. Now when the tomatoes are tender and mushed up completely, add whisked yogurt, and all the ground spices mentioned above. Mix them well and also add the dried plums here. Once the oil starts to separate from the mix, add enough water in it. Put the lid back on and simmer the flames on low. Let the chicken cook for another 20-30 minutes. Keep the stirring going on during regular intervals as this won’t let the chicken spices stick to the vessel. In about 30 minutes the chicken will become tender and one part of our biryani will be ready.

Preparing Rice for the chicken biryani

Now is the time to prepare the rice for the simple chicken biryani recipe at home.

Ingredients needed for this part are as follows:-

1. Rice 4 cups (Basmati long grain).
2. Salt 8 teaspoons.
3. Bay leaf 1.
4. Cloves 3-4.
5. Garlic 2-3 cloves whole.
6. Ginger 2-3 pieces.

Soak rice in enough water for at least half an hour. Wash it, and now transfer the rice in a deep pot, add at least 12 cups of water OR enough to boil them partially and put the above mentioned ingredients in it. Boil the rice to partially cooked (3/4th cooked) and now drain the excess water. At this point remove and discard the bay leaf, cloves and garlic cloves and also ginger. They were added to enhance the flavor and aroma to the rice. The aromatic Indian spices are perfect as a flavor enhancers to any dish.

Layering the chicken biryani

This is the best step in preparing the chicken biryani. In a thick bottom pot, preferably the wide open mouth pot, layer it with half of the rice. Now add the prepared chicken over it, add chopped fresh coriander leaves on it and now cover it with the remaining rice. Add saffron infused milk over the rice for the color and also aroma. Add melted ghee at this point. Cover the pot with the lid and put in on low flames for 20-25 minutes. This steaming of biryani is called “Dum”.

Now your tasty chicken biryani is ready to be served.

Readymade Spice mixes

Right now the markets are flooded with tons of readymade spice mixes. They have all sorts of spice mixes. There are options available for biryani masalas also. My personal favorite is Chicken biryani masala from Lucky Masale. It has the right concoction of ground and whole spices in it. The color and flavor are unforgettable. So if you don’t want to make the chicken biryani from scratch, you can always try it with this Masala packet. The chicken biryani recipe is easy to follow and the taste is authentic.

Chicken Biryani recipe tips

Here are some tips for making chicken biryani at home.

1. Always keep in mind that while making chicken biryani the ratio is very important. I take 3:2 ratio. 3 parts of chicken and 2 parts of rice.
2. Quality of rice is very important, don’t compromise on it. Use long grain rice only.
3. Soaking the rice before boiling it is very important. It allows the rice to puff up completely.
4. Salt is the taste enhancer and a must ingredient for boiling the biryani rice. A secret which is passed down to me from my mother in law is what I’m sharing it here. For example, if you are taking 4 cups of rice add 8 teaspoons of salt in it. Same for 3 cups of rice add 6 teaspoons of salt. It’s because when the excess water is drained out from the rice, the salt becomes perfect.
5. Thick bottom pan is very important for the biryani as it saves the rice from burning at the bottom of the pan.
6. Time control is very important, as it makes sure that the rice are not only fully cooked but are also separate. Rice should not be mushy and for that look for the visual signs.

Why is Chicken Biryani so famous?

Though a Persian dish, Biryani was introduced by Mughals in India. Every region has its own version of biryani. Today Chicken Biryani is found on every restaurant menu list around the world. This dish is a delight to eat. The reason why Biryani is so popular is that it is a complete meal in itself. The succulent meat pieces infused with spices and herbs and layered with rice, is a perfect meal anybody could want. The flavors are very engaging and biryani is a favorite meal in every age group. The long grain basmati rice enhances the flavor. When the chicken gravy and the rice are layered together it satiates the taste buds. The best part is, now you can make it at home with the above mentioned chicken biryani recipe.

Health benefits and effects of chicken biryani

Today, healthy lifestyle is a big concern for the people. More and more people are turning towards the healthier options. They take care of what they are eating and keep a check on the calorie intake. Everyone needs a healthy diet to keep them fit, but once in a while, one needs to indulge and refresh. Chicken biryani is a good option to replace the healthy meal without unhealthy effects on your body. The above mentioned Chicken biryani recipe is a healthy option to get indulged. Biryani is a calorie and nutrient rich complete meal. It is best served with Raita, a condiment made with yogurt and cucumbers.