Perfect Biryani


Recipe summary
Learn to make perfect restaurant-quality Biryani with chicken, basmati rice, and aromatic spices, ensuring a fluffy and flavorful dish.
Ingredients
- Chicken with bones (thighs and drumsticks)
- Plain unflavored yogurt
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Green chili (optional)
- Kashmiri red chili powder
- Turmeric powder
- Ground coriander
- Biryani Masala (preferably Shan Biryani Masala)
- Salt
- Oil
- Chopped coriander leaves
- Mint leaves
- Sliced onions
- Saffron strands
- Kewra water or rose water
- Good quality basmati rice
- Bay leaves
- Shahi jeera
- Food color (optional)
- Lemon juice
Method
- 1
Make ginger garlic paste by blending fresh ginger, garlic, and green chili with a little water until smooth.
- 2
In a bowl, mix plain yogurt, Kashmiri red chili powder, turmeric powder, ground coriander, Biryani Masala, salt, and oil to make a marinade.
- 3
Add chicken pieces to the marinade along with chopped coriander and mint leaves. Mix well and let sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
- 4
Slice onions to even thickness, add salt, and let them sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out moisture.
- 5
Prepare saffron milk by crushing saffron strands in warm milk with Kewra water or using rose water.
- 6
Rinse basmati rice multiple times until the water runs clear and soak for 30 minutes, then drain.
- 7
Use a heavy-bottomed pot to cook; add oil and warmed onions after squeezing out excess moisture.
- 8
Cook marinated chicken, adding two bay leaves, until juices boil, then lower heat.
- 9
Add raw potatoes (optional) and half of the browned onions, and a teaspoon of garam masala. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- 10
In another pot, boil water, add spices, oil, and vinegar, and then the drained rice.
- 11
Cook the rice until 70% done, then drain and set aside.
- 12
Layer the Biryani by adding cooked chicken, remaining onions, rice, chopped herbs, saffron milk, food color, and skimming oil.
- 13
Cover tightly, cook on high heat for 10 minutes, then on low heat for 15 minutes.
- 14
Let the Biryani sit for 30 minutes before serving. Fluff carefully with a spoon.






