Authentic Chicken Biryani Recipe: How to Make Flavorful Indian Biryani at Home in 6 steps

Guide to mastering the art of cooking Chicken Biryani

Chicken Dum Biryani is a beloved dish celebrated for its rich flavors and aromatic spices. Originating from the kitchens of Mughal India, this culinary masterpiece combines tender marinated chicken with fragrant basmati rice, cooked together in layers to create a symphony of tastes. Follow this detailed recipe to recreate this iconic dish at home. Chicken Dum Biryani is widely popular among different states of India with each region has its twist to it.

Ingredients for Chicken Dum Biryani

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 1 kg chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 2 teaspoons red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt to taste

For the Rice:

• 3 cups basmati rice
• 6 cups water
• 2-3 green cardamom pods
• 1-2 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt to taste

For Layering and Cooking:

• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 2-3 green chilies, slit
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup fried onions (store-bought or homemade)
• 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup milk
• 3-4 Saffron threads soaked in 2-3 teaspoons of warm milk.
• 1 teaspoon kewra water (optional)
• 1 teaspoon rose water (optional)

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, lemon juice, and salt.
2. Make sure the marinade coats the chicken evenly by mixing thoroughly.
3. Refrigerate the bowl for a minimum of two hours after covering it with a lid or plastic wrap. Marinating it overnight will enhance its flavor more.

Step 2: Prepare the Rice for Chicken Biryani

1. To get rid of extra starch, rinse the basmati rice in cold water until the water runs clean.
2. Soak the rice in water for 30 minutes. This helps the rice grains cook evenly and prevents them from breaking.
3. Heat six cups of water in a big saucepan until it boils.
4. Add the green cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon sticks, bay leaf, and salt to the boiling water.
5. Drain soaked rice and then add it to boiling water.
6. Cook the rice until it is 70% done. The grains should be firm but cooked through. This typically takes about 7-8 minutes.
7. Use a colander to drain the rice & set it aside. Discard the whole spices used for boiling the rice.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

1. In a heavy-bottomed pan (kadhai), heat vegetable oil and half of the ghee over medium heat.
2. In the same pan Sauté thinly sliced onions until they are caramelized turning golden brown.
3. Sauté slit green chilies in the same pan for a minute until fragrant.
4. Now in the pan add marinated chicken along with the rest of the marination.
5. Cook the chicken for chicken biryani on medium-high heat until it is partially cooked and the marinade starts to thicken. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Stir in the chopped mint and coriander leaves. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 4: Layering and Dum

1. In the same pan with the partially cooked chicken, spread half of the cooked rice evenly over the chicken layer.
2. Sprinkle half of the fried onions over the rice layer.
3. Drizzle half of the saffron milk, kewra water, and rose water mixture over the rice.
4. Repeat the layering process with the remaining rice, fried onions, saffron milk, kewra water, and rose water.
5. Drizzle the remaining ghee over the top layer of rice.
6. Pour the milk evenly over the layered biryani. This helps in keeping the rice moist during the dum cooking process.

Step 5: Dum Cooking (Slow Cooking)

1. Cover the pan tightly with a lid. If the lid is not tight enough, seal the edges with dough (atta) to trap the steam inside.
2. Reduce the heat to low and cook the biryani on dum for 30-35 minutes. Dum cooking ensures that the flavors mingle and the rice absorbs the aroma of the spices and chicken.
3. Turn off the heat and let the biryani rest for 10 minutes without opening the lid. Flavors intensify only when you allow them to rest.

Step 6: Art of Serving the Chicken Biryani

1. Gently fluff the biryani with a fork to mix the layers without breaking the rice grains.
2. Serve hot Chicken Dum Biryani garnished with fresh coriander leaves and accompanied by raita (yogurt-based side dish) and salad.

 

FAQ’s

– Why is Dum Given to Biryani?

Dum cooking refers to the method of allowing rice and chicken to cook under pressure, enhancing the infusion of aromas while trapping them inside the cooking pot. Traditionally, handis (pots) are sealed with dough or cloth to seal in steam, which cooks the meat and rice to perfection.

– Origins of Biryani: A Historical Perspective

Historians trace the origin of biryani to Persia, brought to India by the Mughals during their reign. The Mughal royal kitchens further refined biryani by incorporating various types of meats, leading to the diverse array of biryanis we enjoy today, including Chicken Biryani and Mutton Biryani.

– Serving Chicken Biryani: Regional Variations

Chicken Biryani is typically served with Onion Raita, though regional variations abound. For instance, in Maharashtra, it is accompanied by Onion Raita and a bowl of Chicken Curry (Rassa), whereas in other parts of India, it may be served with Onion Raita alone.

– How to Tell When Chicken Biryani is Ready

Determining the readiness of Chicken Biryani is primarily done by its aromatic fragrance. Typically, Chicken Biryani cooks in about 35-40 minutes, whereas Mutton Biryani requires 45 minutes to 1 hour for perfect doneness.

 

Conclusion

Enjoy the exquisite flavors and aroma of homemade Chicken Dum Biryani with this detailed recipe. Perfect for special occasions or a delightful family meal, this dish captures the essence of traditional Indian cooking. Experiment with the spice levels and ingredients to suit your taste preferences. Prepare this aromatic masterpiece and savor India’s rich culinary heritage. For more non-vegetarian recipes, explore our collection of nonveg recipes.