Hello food lovers! Today, I’m sharing one of the most loved dishes in every Indian kitchen – Biryani! Whether it’s a Sunday feast, a family get-together, or a festival celebration, Biryani brings everyone to the table with a smile. And guess what? You don’t have to be a master chef to make it. I’ll guide you step by step, using simple ingredients and an easy cooking style.
Let’s make your kitchen smell like heaven!
What is Biryani?
Biryani is a flavorful rice dish made with long-grain basmati rice, aromatic spices, and meat or vegetables. It’s believed to have originated from Persia and became a royal dish in India. Today, we have many types – Hyderabadi, Lucknowi, Kolkata, and even Veg biryani for our vegetarian friends.
Ingredients for Chicken Biryani
Here’s what you need (serves 4 people):
For Rice:
- 2 cups basmati rice (soaked for 30 minutes)
- 4 cups water
- 1 bay leaf
- 2-3 green cardamoms
- 2-3 cloves
- Salt (as per taste)
For Chicken Marinade:
- 500g chicken (with bone)
- 1 cup curd (yogurt)
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp biryani masala
- Salt (as per taste)
For Biryani Layer:
- 2 large onions (thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsp oil or ghee
- A few saffron strands soaked in 2 tbsp warm milk (optional)
- Fresh coriander and mint leaves (handful)
Step-by-Step Biryani Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Take a bowl and add chicken, curd, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, chili powder, biryani masala, and salt. Mix well and keep it aside for at least 30 minutes. This makes the chicken soft and full of flavour.
Chef Tip: You can keep it overnight in the fridge for extra taste.
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Source: https://in.pinterest.com/
Step 2: Prepare the Rice
In a big pan, boil water with bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, and salt. Add soaked rice and cook till it’s 70% done. Drain the rice and keep it aside.
Why only 70%? Because we’ll cook it again with chicken – this keeps the rice fluffy and not sticky.
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Step 3: Fry the Onions
Heat oil or ghee in a deep pan. Add sliced onions and fry them until golden brown. Remove half of them and keep aside for garnish.
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Step 4: Cook the Chicken
In the same pan, add the marinated chicken. Cook on medium flame for 10-12 minutes till the chicken is half done and gravy becomes thick.
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Source: https://in.pinterest.com/
Step 5: Layering the Biryani
Now comes the fun part!
- On top of the chicken, spread half of the cooked rice.
- Sprinkle some fried onions, mint, and coriander leaves.
- Add the remaining rice, then saffron milk (optional), and the rest of the onions and herbs.
- Cover tightly with a lid. You can seal the sides with dough to trap the steam (called dum).
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Source: https://in.pinterest.com/
Step 6: Dum Cooking
Cook on a low flame for 15-20 minutes. You can also keep a tawa (griddle) under the pan to avoid burning. After that, let it rest for 5 minutes.
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Your Chicken Biryani is Ready!
Open the lid and enjoy the royal aroma! Serve it with raita, salad, or boiled eggs. One bite, and you’ll feel the magic.
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Source: https://in.pinterest.com/
Tips for Perfect Biryani
- Use good quality basmati rice – It gives long, fluffy grains.
- Marinate chicken well – This adds flavor deep into the meat.
- Don’t overcook rice – Slightly undercooked is best for biryani layering.
- Use homemade biryani masala – Store-bought works too, but homemade is more fragrant.
- Keep it on dum (steam) – This slow cooking method blends all the flavours beautifully.
Variations You Can Try
- Veg Biryani: Replace chicken with vegetables like carrots, beans, potatoes, and peas.
- Egg Biryani: Add boiled eggs instead of meat.
- Mutton Biryani: Use tender pieces of goat meat; increase cooking time.
- Paneer Biryani: A great vegetarian twist for paneer lovers.
Biryani Side Dishes
Here are some simple sides that go well with biryani:
- Boondi Raita
- Onion-Tomato Salad
- Green Chutney
- Papad or Pickle
- Gulab Jamun or Kheer for a sweet touch
Why We All Love Biryani
- It’s a complete meal with rice, protein, and spices.
- You can make it ahead and store it.
- Perfect for parties, lunchbox, or dinner.
- It tastes even better the next day!
Final Thoughts
Making biryani at home doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little preparation and a lot of love, you can bring restaurant-style biryani to your own kitchen. I hope you try this recipe and enjoy it with your family and friends.
If you liked this recipe, do share it with your loved ones. And if you want more simple and tasty recipes like this, keep visiting HerDuniya.
