Chicken Biryani

Ingredients:

Chicken pieces 2 bowls
Sonamasoori/ Basmati rice 2 cups
Milk(Whole or 2%) 2 cups
Water 2 cups
Yogurt ½ cup
Ginger paste (fresh) 2 tsp
Garlic paste (fresh) 2-3 tsp
Onions 2 (Chopped)
Green chillies 4-6
Chilli powder 2-3 tsp
Coriander powder 2 tsp
Turmeric powder ¼ tsp
Cumin powder ¼ tsp
Saffron strands ½ tsp
Lemon juice 5 tsp
Pepper powder ¼ tsp
Peppercorns 1 tsp
Cloves 5-6
Cinnamon 2” stick
Bay leaves 2
Shahajeera ½ tsp
Coriander leaves/Cilantro 1 cup (Chopped)
Mint/Pudina (fresh 1 bunch/ dry 2 tsp)
Cardamom 4
Black cardamom 2
Star anise 2
Bombay Biryani masala 3-4 tsp
Salt
Ghee/Butter/Oil

Method:

1. Clean the chicken and cut it into medium sized pieces. Squeeze all the water from it.

2. In a bowl add chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, lemon juice and salt. Mix well. Add the chicken pieces, mix well and marinate it for 2-3 hrs. Keep aside or keep it in fridge overnight.

3. Soak saffron in milk and keep aside.

4. Wash and soak the rice in water for 30 minutes and keep aside.

5. Heat ¼ cup ghee/ butter / oil in cooker add cloves, cinnamon, pepper corns, cardamoms, black cardamoms, star anise, shahajeera, green chillies, bay leaves, mint one by one and fry them.

6. Add onions and fry till golder brown. Add ginger garlic paste and fry.

7. Now add marinated chicken and yogurt. Mix well and cook the chicken for 5 minutes in medium flame.

8. Add soaked rice and mix well. Add 2 cups water and 2 cups milk into it.

9. Add Bombay biryani masala and pepper powder. Mix well.

10. Add some salt and chilli powder (if it’s required). Cook till the rice gets half cooked.

11. Add cilantro and 1 tsp lemon juice. Cover the lid and cook till the cooker releases the steam. OR cook till 1 whistle in medium heat and again cook for 5 minutes in low heat. Switch off the stove. Let the cooker to drop the pressure.

12. Now remove the lid and take the cooked biryani in a large bowl/plate and garnish with onions and cilantro. Serve hot with raita and chicken curry.

Note: There are different methods to prepare Biryani but I prefer this method. Use only MDH Bombay Biryani masala.