07/05/2026
You got it 👍 Here’s a simple *Chicken Biryani recipe for 4 people*
*Ingredients*
*For rice:*
- Basmati rice 2 cups, soaked 30 min
- Whole spices: 3-4 cloves, 3 cardamom, 1 small cinnamon stick
- Salt 1.5 tsp, Oil 1 tbsp
*For chicken marinade:*
- Chicken 750g, cut medium
- Yogurt 1/2 cup
- Ginger garlic paste 2 tbsp
- Chili powder 2 tsp, Turmeric 1/2 tsp, Garam masala 1 tsp, Salt
- Lemon juice 1 tbsp
*For gravy/layering:*
- Onions 3 large, thinly sliced & fried golden
- Tomatoes 2, chopped
- Biryani masala 2 tbsp
- Mint + coriander leaves, handful each
- Green chilies 3-4, slit
- Milk 1/4 cup with pinch saffron or yellow food color
- Rose water 1 tsp, Ghee 2 tbsp
*Steps*
1. *Marinate*: Mix chicken with all marinade ingredients. Rest 1 hour minimum.
2. *Rice*: Boil 6-7 cups water with whole spices, salt, oil. Add soaked rice. Cook till 70% done - grain should break when pressed but still firm. Drain.
3. *Cook chicken*: In a heavy pot, cook marinated chicken till water dries and oil separates. Add tomatoes, half the fried onions, mint, coriander, biryani masala. Cook 5 min.
4. *Dum layering*: On top of chicken, spread half the rice. Sprinkle fried onions, mint, coriander. Add remaining rice. Pour saffron milk, rose water, ghee on top.
5. *Dum*: Seal pot lid with dough or tight lid. Cook on very low heat 20-25 min. Don’t open.
6. *Serve*: Gently mix from sides. Top with boiled egg, fried onions. Best with raita + pickle.
*Quick tips*:
- 70% cooked rice = no mushy biryani
- Low heat for dum or place tawa under pot
- Rest 10 min after dum before opening
Want a Sri Lankan style version with more curry flavor, or a beef/mutton one?