Chicken Biriyani

Chicken Biriyani is probably one of the most popular non-vegetarian dish. There are numerous varieties and styles of chicken biriyani like Hyderbadi,Malabar etc. Each region of India has added its own unique influence to this popular dish. This recipe is a simple and basic biriyani variety which we liked immensely.

What you need to make Chicken Biriyani:

• Basmati rice - 2 1/2 cups
• Chicken- 1/2 kg
• Onion(medium) - 6 nos(chopped finely)
• Tomato(medium) - 3 nos(chopped finely)
• Garlic - 7 big cloves
• Ginger - 1 and 1/2 inch piece
• Green chilly - 2
• Garam masala powder - 1 tbsp
• Yogurt - 4 tbsp
• Coriander leaves - 1 cup
• Mint leaves(Pudhina) - 1/4 cup
• Ghee - 1/2 cup
• Lime juice - 4 tsp
• Chilly powder - 1 tsp or Pepper powder - according to taste
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tbsp
• Cardamom - 2 nos
• Cinnamon - 3 small pieces
• Cloves - 2 nos
• Salt to taste

The preparation method:

• Grind garlic,ginger and green chilly together to make paste.Set aside.
  
• Heat ghee in a pan.Saute onions till golden brown.
• Add garlic-ginger-green chilly paste and fry for 2 minute.
• Add chopped tomatoes, chilly powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, mint leaves ,salt and coriander leaves into it.Saute for a few minutes till the masala becomes thick.
• Add cut and cleaned chicken pieces and stir.Pour little water [if required] and mix.
• Cook till chicken is done.Add yogurt.Mix well.
• Boil water in another vessel.Add enough salt, a pinch of turmeric powder, cardamoms, cinnamon, cloves and 1 spoon ghee into this.
• Cook rice until it is done and drain.Take care the rice not to be sticky.
• Heat a vessel.Pour a little of ghee.Put a little of cooked rice and spread 1 tsp of lime juice over it.Place one layer of the chicken masala above it and repeat the process till the rice and masala are over.Close the lid tightly and heat on a low flame for about 10 minutes.Mix before serving.
• Tasty and yummy chicken biriyani is ready to be served hot with raitha(yogurt mixed with chopped onion,tomato and green chilli).