Chicken biryani is a famous dish in Asia especially in India and Pakistan. But now it has got a reputation worldwide. Chicken biryani is popular for its unique mixture of spices, fried and tender chicken, and tasty basmati rice.
Chicken biryani originated in India but its unique taste and flavor have spread to the remaining part of the world and now it is the main dish of each home and restaurant. Chicken biryani is a one-pot dish that’s why people make it during dinner, festivals, or other gatherings.
In this article, we will look through the simple and best chicken biryani recipe.
Chicken biryani recipe
Chicken biryani recipe is comprised of:
Ingredients
- bone-in chicken pieces = 2 lbs
- basmati rice = 2 cups
- sliced large onions = 2
- chopped large tomatoes = 2
- yogurt = 1 cup
- cumin powder = 1 tsp
- coriander powder = 1 tsp
- turmeric powder = 1 tsp
- garam masala = 1 tsp
- cinnamon sticks = 2
- cardamom pods = 4
- cloves = 4
- bay leaves = 2
- ghee or oil = 1/2 cup
- chopped fresh mint leaves = 1/4 cup
- chopped fresh cilantro = 1/4 cup
- sliced green chilies = 2-3
- Salt = according to the taste
- A pinch of saffron strands
- warm milk = 1/4 cup
How to cook chicken biryani
To make chicken biryani you should follow the following steps:
Step 1: Soak the Basmati Rice in cool water
- Rinse 2 cups of basmati rice thoroughly in cold water until clear water runs.
- For 30 minutes soak the basmati rice in cold water.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
- Add 1 cup of yogurt, 1 tsp of cumin powder, 1 tsp of coriander powder, 1 tsp of turmeric powder, 1 tsp of garam masala and 2 pounds of bone-in chicken pieces in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix all the items well and marinate them for at least one hour or one night in the refrigerator.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken and Spices
- Heat half cup of oil or ghee in a large biryani pot (heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven) on medium heat.
- Add 4 cloves, 2 bay leaves, 4 cardamom pods, and 2 cinnamon sticks. Fry them for a minute until fragrant.
- Add 2 chopped onions and cook them until it’s become golden brown.
- Now add marinated chicken and cook them for 5-8 minutes until it becomes brown.
- Add 1/4 cup of chopped fresh mint leaves, 2-3 sliced green chilies and 2 sliced tomatoes.
- Cook these entire ingredients for 5-10 minutes until the tomatoes become soft and chicken is cooked.
Step 4: Cook the Rice
- Drain the soaked rice from the bowl and add it to the biryani pot.
- Add the required salt and stir well.
- Add sufficient water to cover the surface of the rice by 1 inch.
- Boil the rice and then reduce the heat to low and cover the biryani pot tightly with a lid.
- Cook the rice for 15-20 minutes until the basmati rice is tender and fluffy.
Step 5: Layer the Rice and Chicken
- When chicken and rice are cooked then remove the biryani pot from the heat and keep it aside.
- Add 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee over medium heat in a separate pan.
- Spread one layer of rice on the bottom of the pan and then spread a layer of chicken and a mixture of sauce. Repeat this process until all the rice and chicken are used up. But the topmost layer should be the rice layer.
- Now cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid.
- Place the pan on the medium heat and let it cook for 10-15 minutes.
Step 5: Add Saffron Milk
- Soak a pinch of saffron strands in 1/4 cup of warm milk for 15-20 minutes in a small mixing bowl.
- When the basmati rice is cooked, turn off the heat and sprinkle saffron milk over the rice.
- Cover the biryani pot with a lid and rest it for 7-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step 6: Serve your chicken biryani
- Garnish chicken biryani with cashews, fried onions.
- Serve the chicken biryani with salad, pickle, raita, pickle or sauce.
- Enjoy homemade chicken biryani with your family.
Important tips for chicken biryani
- You can use both boneless chicken and bone chicken. It is depended on your choice.
- Add salt according to your taste. But I suggest you use less salt because of several health benefits.
- To make chicken biryani more delightful, you can add fried onions, raisins or cashews as a topping.
- Always use a heavy bottom biryani pot to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom and burning.
chicken biryani calories
The number of calories in chicken biryani is depended on the recipe and serving size.
However, 150 grams or 1 cup of chicken biryani provide around 350-450 calories.
The calorie content of chicken biryani is depended on its ingredients. Rice is the main ingredient of chicken biryani and it contains huge content of carbohydrates which have a significant number of calories.
The types of rice also play a key role in the count of calories because there is variation in the rice calorie content. For instance, basmati rice is famous for chicken biryani and it has low calories as compared to other types of rice.
Chicken is the main source of protein in chicken biryani and it is also an essential ingredient. So the calorie content is affected by the way it is cooked. Chicken has high-calorie content if it is cooked in oil or ghee because oil and ghee increase the calorie content of chicken.
Spices are low in calories but they are an essential ingredient of chicken biryani. They may also contribute to calorie counts when they are used in a high amount.
Note: To know the exact calorie numbers then calculate the calories count for each ingredient.
Chicken Biryani instant pots
Biryani pots are known as degchi or handi. They are made from different materials and come in various sizes and shapes. Here are the most common and durable biryani pots.
Clay Biryani Pots
Clay biryani pots are very famous and represent the tradition of some countries such as Pakistan and India. These biryani pots are prepared from clay and have various sizes and shapes. They have the ability to retain heat for longer periods of time. But they are fragile and can be easily broken. So they require extra care and maintenance.
Brass Biryani Pots
Brass biryani pots are usually used for commercial catering services and kitchens and they are made from brass. They are more expensive than clay biryani pots and can be easily cleaned. They are very strong but they can’t retain health for a longer time. Moreover, they do not react with the acid ingredients of biryani.
Stainless Steel Biryani Pots
Stainless steel biryani pots are usually used on a low scale, especially in home kitchens. They are cheap from brass biryani posts. These biryani pots can be easily cleaned and reduce the time of cooking. If you want to cook biryani at home then these biryani posts are a perfect option for you. For proper heat distribution, the bottoms of stainless steel biryani posts are made from either copper or aluminum.
Sizes of Biryani Pots
Biryani pots have various sizes, ranging from small to large. The size of the biryani pot is depended on the quantity of biryani you want to cook. Usually in homes, small biryani posts are used while large biryani pots are used in catering services or restaurants.
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FAQ
Q1. Is biryani healthy or unhealthy?
Ans. The healthiness of biryani always depends on the recipe and the ingredients used in it. If is made of lean meats and vegetables then it is a good source of protein and is considered as healthy. But it can be unhealthy if it is made with high content of ghee or oil because it will have a high number of calories.
The healthiness of biryani depends on the specific recipe and ingredients used. It can be a good source of protein and nutrients if made with lean meats and vegetables, but can also be high in calories and unhealthy if made with excessive amounts of oil, ghee, or unhealthy additives.
Q2. Is chicken biryani very spicy?
Ans. The level of spiciness in chicken biryani is depended on personal choice and the recipe. Some chicken biryani recipe has moderate spices, while other chicken biryani recipe is very spicy. To cook chicken biryani, it is best to check the recipe before or ask the cook to prepare chicken biryani according to your choice.
Q3. Is biryani good for gym?
Ans. Biryani is a good dish for muscle recovery and energy if it is made from lean meats, vegetables, and less oil or ghee. Meat and vegetable are good sources of protein and carbohydrates which provide energy to muscles. However, it can be unhealthy if it contains huge amounts of oil and other high calories ingredients. If you are a gym lover always try to eat biryani in moderation.
Q4. Is it good to eat biryani at night?
Ans. For good health, it is not recommended to eat heavy meals at night such as biryani, because it can significantly disturb your digestion and sleep. It is better to eat light meals at night time because they promote your sleep and digestion.
Q5. What does chicken biryani taste like?
Ans. The taste of chicken biryani is mildly spicy and tangy with an aromatic flavor. The taste of chicken biryani may vary because it is depended on the spices and the ingredients used in it.
Summary
Chicken biryani is a famous dish in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Due to its taste, now it has got popularity worldwide.
Chicken biryani is a one-pot delicious and flavorful meal and a perfect dish for any special occasion.
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