Ingredients:
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 500g chicken (bone-in, cut into pieces)
- 1 cup yogurt
- 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
- 2-3 green chilies, slit
- 1 tablespoon red chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
For the Rice:
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 4 cups water
- 2-3 whole cloves
- 2-3 green cardamom pods
- 1-2 bay leaves
- 1 stick of cinnamon
- Salt to taste
For Assembling:
- 2-3 tablespoons ghee or oil
- Fried onions (store-bought or homemade)
- Additional fresh coriander and mint for garnish
Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, combine yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, green chilies, red chili powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, salt, lemon juice, coriander, and mint. Add the chicken pieces and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours (or overnight for best results).
2. Cook the Rice:
- Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak for 30 minutes, then drain.
- In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the whole spices (cloves, cardamom, bay leaves, and cinnamon) and salt.
- Add the soaked rice and cook until it’s about 70% done (the rice should still have a bite to it). Drain and set aside.
3. Assemble the Biryani:
- In a heavy-bottomed pot or pressure cooker, heat ghee or oil. Add the marinated chicken and cook on medium heat until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
- Layer the partially cooked rice over the chicken. Sprinkle fried onions, additional coriander, and mint on top.
- Drizzle a little ghee or oil over the rice for added flavor.
4. Dum Cooking:
- Cover the pot with a tight lid. If using a pressure cooker, you can seal the lid with dough or a clean kitchen towel to trap steam.
- Cook on low heat for about 25-30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the rice to finish cooking.
5. Serve:
- Gently fluff the biryani with a fork before serving. Serve hot with raita (yogurt sauce) or salad.
Enjoy your flavorful Dum Biryani!
