Indian Chicken Biryani
A fragrant, aromatic masterpiece of tender chicken and fluffy basmati rice infused with warm spices and caramelized onions.
Ingredients
- •1.5 lbs (700g) boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- •2 cups basmati rice, soaked for 20 minutes
- •3 tablespoons neutral oil or avocado oil
- •2 large onions, thinly sliced
- •3 cloves garlic, minced
- •1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- •1 cup tomato puree
- •1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- •1 tablespoon garam masala
- •1 teaspoon ground cumin
- •1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- •3 cups water or chicken stock
- •1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- •1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- •1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and fry the onions until deep golden brown, then remove half for garnish.
- 2
Add the chicken pieces to the pot with the remaining onions and sear until browned on all sides.
- 3
Stir in the garlic, ginger, turmeric, garam masala, cumin, and chili powder, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 4
Pour in the tomato puree and cook for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- 5
Add the soaked and drained rice to the pot, stirring gently to coat the grains in the spice mixture.
- 6
Pour in the water or chicken stock and add salt, bringing the mixture to a boil.
- 7
Reduce heat to low, cover tightly with a lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
- 8
Remove from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
- 9
Garnish with the reserved fried onions, fresh cilantro, and mint before serving.
💡 Chef tips
- For extra depth, toast your whole spices like cardamom pods or cloves in the oil before adding the onions.
- You can prepare the fried onions a day in advance to save time during the main cooking process.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat with a splash of water to keep the rice moist.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished dish should have distinct, fluffy grains of rice, tender chicken infused with deep earthy spices, and a vibrant aroma of toasted onions and fresh herbs.