Chicken Biryani Rice

Elevate your weeknight dinner with the irresistible flavors of Chicken Biryani Rice, a classic Indian dish that combines tender, spice-marinated chicken with fragrant basmati rice in a rich blend of aromatic spices. Layers of marinated chicken, sautéed onions, and partially cooked basmati rice are steamed together in a traditional "dum" cooking process, allowing the vibrant flavors of biryani masala, fresh herbs, and optional saffron to infuse every bite. This one-pot meal strikes the perfect balance of savory, spicy, and aromatic, making it an ideal choice for entertaining or treating your family to a restaurant-style feast at home. Serve this hearty dish hot, topped with crispy fried onions and fresh cilantro, alongside cooling yogurt-based raita or a crisp green salad for the ultimate comfort meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Basmati rice
• 1 lb Chicken (bone-in or boneless, cut into pieces)
• 0.5 cup Plain yogurt
• 2 medium Onion (thinly sliced)
• 2 medium Tomatoes (chopped)
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon Ginger (grated)
• 2 Green chilies (slit)
• 0.25 cup Cilantro (chopped)
• 0.25 cup Mint leaves (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons Biryani masala
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Garam masala
• 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 2 Bay leaves
• 4 Cloves
• 3 Cardamom pods
• 1 inch Cinnamon stick
• 4 tablespoons Vegetable oil or ghee
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 4 cups Water
• 0.5 teaspoon Saffron (optional, soaked in 2 tablespoons of warm milk)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then soak it in water for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine the chicken with yogurt, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and biryani masala. Mix well and marinate for at least 20 minutes (or up to overnight in the refrigerator for best results).

Step 3

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, bay leaves, cloves, cardamom pods, and the cinnamon stick, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the sliced onions and sauté until golden brown. Remove half of the fried onions and set them aside for garnishing.

Step 5

To the pot, add garlic, ginger, and green chilies. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until aromatic.

Step 6

Add the chopped tomatoes, along with a pinch of salt. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and the oil starts to separate.

Step 7

Stir in the marinated chicken and cook for 10-12 minutes until the chicken is mostly cooked and coated with the spice mixture.

Step 8

Add the chopped cilantro and mint leaves, mixing well. Remove the chicken mixture from the pot and set aside.

Step 9

In the same pot, add 2 more tablespoons of oil or ghee. Add the soaked and drained basmati rice, stirring gently for 2-3 minutes to coat the rice in the spices.

Step 10

Pour in 4 cups of water and 1.5 teaspoons of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cook the rice until it is 70% done (about 8-10 minutes).

Step 11

Layer the cooked chicken mixture over the partially cooked rice. Drizzle the optional saffron milk over the top, along with the reserved fried onions.

Step 12

Cover the pot tightly with a lid or aluminum foil to trap the steam. Cook on low heat for another 20-25 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together (this is called 'dum').

Step 13

Remove the pot from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before gently fluffing the biryani with a fork.

Step 14

Serve hot, garnished with additional cilantro and mint, alongside raita or a green salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2746.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2493.4

Total Fat 126.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 27.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 406.5mg	0%
Sodium 5755.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 186.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.6g	0%
Total Sugars 32.3g
Protein 158.2g	0%

Vitamin D 117.8IU	0%
Calcium 833.1mg	0%
Iron 25.5mg	0%
Potassium 3812.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.3%

Protein: 25.1%

Carbs: 29.6%