Chicken biryani is a classic Indian dish with many variations. Here's a basic recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 500g chicken, cut into pieces
- 2 onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
- 2 green chilies, slit
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro (coriander)
- 1/2 cup chopped mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 4 cloves
- 4 cardamom pods
- 2-inch cinnamon stick
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- Salt to taste
- Ghee or oil for cooking
Instructions:
1. Wash the rice and soak it in water for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat ghee or oil in a large pot. Add cumin seeds, cloves, cardamom pods, and cinnamon stick. Sauté until fragrant.
3. Add sliced onions and cook until golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a minute.
4. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they turn mushy.
5. Add chicken pieces and sauté until they are no longer pink.
6. Add yogurt, turmeric powder, red chili powder, salt, green chilies, half of the chopped cilantro, and half of the chopped mint leaves. Mix well.
7. Add the soaked rice to the pot and gently mix it with the chicken and spices.
8. Pour enough water to cover the rice by about an inch. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer until the rice is cooked and the chicken is tender (about 20-25 minutes).
9. Once done, remove from heat and let it sit covered for another 10 minutes.
10. Garnish with the remaining chopped cilantro and mint leaves.
11. Serve hot with raita (yogurt sauce) or salad.
Feel free to adjust the spices and ingredients according to your taste preferences.