Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound chicken drums or thighs
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp garlic paste
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- Juice of half a lemon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Spices: 1 tsp each of garam masala, ground coriander, cumin, smoked paprika, Kashmiri chili powder, and 1/4 tsp turmeric
Homemade Biryani Spice Mix:
- 2 star anise
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tbsp black peppercorns
- 7 cloves
- 4 green cardamom pods
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
The Rest:
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 2 shallots, sliced and tossed in flour, then fried for crispy topping
- 4 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 Serrano chili peppers, chopped
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups basmati rice
- A handful of fresh cilantro and mint, chopped
- 1 cup water
For the Saffron Water:
- Warm water
- A dollop of ghee
- A squeeze of lemon juice
- A pinch of saffron strands
Method:
- Rinse the basmati rice until the water runs clear and soak for 30 minutes.
- In a large pot, bring water to boil for the rice. Add the bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and a few cardamom pods to infuse the water.
- Heat ghee and olive oil in a separate pan, and sauté the onions until golden brown. Reserve half for topping.
- In a bowl, combine the chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, yogurt, lemon juice, and the ground spices.
- In the same pan used for onions, add the chicken mixture. Brown the chicken, then add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, and water to form a gravy. Season with salt to taste.
- Parboil the rice for 2-3 minutes, then layer half of it over the chicken in the pan. Sprinkle with cilantro, mint, chilies, and some of the crispy onions.
- Repeat the layering with the remaining chicken and rice.
- Mix the saffron water ingredients until golden and drizzle over the top layer of rice.
- Cover the pan and cook on low heat for 10 minutes until the rice is fluffy.
To Serve:
- Garnish with the remaining crispy onions and fresh herbs. Serve hot and enjoy the layers of flavors in this beloved dish.
This Chicken Biryani recipe is a true testament to the rich culinary heritage of Indian cuisine, offering a complex tapestry of flavors in a single dish. The perfect blend of spices, tender chicken, and fragrant rice make for an unforgettable meal.