Chicken Breyani is a popular South Asian dish that has become a favourite food for many people around the world. Whether it be a festive occasion or just another ordinary day, chicken breyani is a sure way to make any mealtime special. It is a delicious and fragrant rice-based dish that is filled with perfectly seasoned chicken and an array of spices that give it its unique flavour. In this article, we will be discussing how to make chicken breyani at home, in just a few simple steps.
Ingredients
Before we start with the cooking process, let's gather all the ingredients we need to make Chicken Breyani:
- 2 cups of basmati rice
- 500g of chicken
- 1 cup of plain yoghurt
- 1 cup of fried onions
- 2 tsp of ginger and garlic paste
- 1 tsp of red chilli powder
- 1 tsp of turmeric powder
- 1 tsp of coriander powder
- 1 tsp of cumin powder
- 1 tsp of garam masala powder
- 3-4 tbsp of oil
- Salt to taste
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4-5 cloves
- 2-3 cardamom pods
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup of fresh coriander
- 1 cup of fresh mint leaves
Instructions
Now that we have all our ingredients ready, follow these instructions to make Chicken Breyani:
Step 1: Soak the rice
Wash the basmati rice thoroughly and soak it in water for at least 30 minutes. This will help the rice cook faster and more evenly.
Step 2: Prepare the chicken
Cut the chicken into small pieces and marinate it with yoghurt, ginger and garlic paste, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala powder and salt for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Step 3: Fry Onions
Heat oil in a large pot and fry the onions until they are golden brown. Remove the onions from the oil and keep them aside on a paper towel to drain any excess oil.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
In the same pot with the remaining oil, add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom pods and bay leaves. Stir the spices for 30 seconds, then add the marinated chicken and cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
Step 5: Layer the Rice and Chicken
Drain the soaked rice and add it to the pot with the chicken. Add a cup of water and the fresh coriander and mint leaves. Give everything a good stir and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes until the rice is fully cooked.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once the biryani is ready, turn off the heat and garnish it with the fried onions. You can also sprinkle some fresh coriander leaves on top. Serve hot with raita and your favourite salad.
Conclusion
Cooking chicken breyani may seem daunting at first, but with these simple steps, you can easily cook a batch of delicious breyani that the whole family will enjoy. Be sure to follow the steps carefully and add or reduce spices based on your taste preferences. We hope that you find this recipe helpful and that you enjoy a delicious bowl of homemade chicken breyani soon!
