When gazing from above, you see a layer of glistening golden basmati rice adorned with fried onions, raisins, and cashews. Underneath, explore layers of tender spiced chicken tinted yellow with saffron-imbued yogurt marinade. It's a harmonious blend of colors, textures, and enticing aromas.

Golden Spice Chicken Biryani

Name: Golden Spice Chicken Biryani
Prep time: 90 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 180 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: Chicken, 1.5kg cut into pieces; Basmati rice, 2.5 cups soaked for 30 mins; Yogurt, 1.5 cups; Saffron, few strands soaked in 2 tbsp warm milk; Red chili powder, 2 tsp; Turmeric powder, 1 tsp; Garam masala, 2 tsp; Ginger-garlic paste, 2 tbsp; Lemons, 2 juiced; Onions, 4 thinly sliced; Green chilies, 4 slit; Mint leaves, 1 cup chopped; Coriander leaves, 1 cup chopped; Cashews, 3 tbsp fried; Raisins, 2 tbsp fried; Cooking oil, 3 tbsp; Salt, to taste

Category Main Course

Prep 90 minutes

Cook 90 minutes

Style Indian

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly Halal

Daily Recipe: August 15, 2023

This hearty and aromatic recipe is a perfect fit to celebrate India's Independence Day in style. Its star ingredients are chicken, yogurt, and an assortment of Indian spices.

Ingredients (for 6)

Chicken - 1.5kg - cut into pieces
Basmati rice - 2.5 cups - soaked for 30 mins
Yogurt - 1.5 cups
Saffron - few strands - soaked in 2 tbsp warm milk
Red chili powder - 2 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
Garam masala - 2 tsp
Ginger-garlic paste - 2 tbsp
Lemons - 2 - juiced
Onions - 4 - thinly sliced
Green chilies - 4 - slit
Mint leaves - 1 cup - chopped
Coriander leaves - 1 cup - chopped
Cashews - 3 tbsp - fried
Raisins - 2 tbsp - fried
Cooking oil - 3 tbsp
Salt - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍲🍗⏰

In a bowl, mix ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, yogurt, lemon juice, half of the chopped mint and coriander, and salt to the chicken. Rest it for an hour, or overnight if possible in the refrigerator.
Step 2 - 🍳🧅🔥

Heat the oil in a large pot and sauté the onions until golden brown. Set half aside for garnishing later.
Step 3 - 🥘🍗🔥

Combine the marinated chicken into the pot with sautéed onions and cook until it's halfway done.
Step 4 - 🍚💧🔥

In a separate pot, boil water with salt. Add the pre-soaked and drained rice into it. Cook until 70% done, then drain the water.
Step 5 - 🥘🍚🥛

On top of the semi-cooked chicken, layer the semi-cooked rice. Drizzle the saffron-milk mixture over it.
Step 6 - 🌿🥜🍲

Sprinkle the remaining fried onion, chopped mint and coriander leaves, fried cashews, raisins and green chilies as garnish.
Step 7 - 🥘🔥⏰

Cover the pot with a tight lid and cook it on very low heat for about 30 mins, or until the rice is fully cooked and flavours have infused together.
Step 8 - 🥄🍲😊

Stir gently before serving, ensuring that each spoonful will have both chicken and rice.

Additional

Biryani is a well-loved dish throughout the Indian subcontinent, believed to have been brought by the Mughals. It's a dish of celebration, often cooked in large quantities for festive occasions. Children can help with measuring the spices, while for an interesting modification, you could use paneer or mushrooms instead of chicken for a vegetarian alternative. Enjoy this masterpiece of Indian cuisine made straight from your kitchen!