Chicken Briyani

A popular rice dish served duirng special occasions, holidays and parties. Traditional preparation involves use of meat/vegetables marinated with yogurt, spice powders and cooked along with layered rice by following a challenging baking process called Dum. But the process can be made simple by using a pressure cooker or rice cooker. (CHICKEN BIRYANI / KOZHI BRIYANI / CHICKEN BRIYANI)

To Server 4 Adult(s)

Ingredients

Basmati rice 500 gms.
Chicken pieces 1kg.
Garam masala powder 4 tsp.
Milk ½ cup
Whole garam masala 4 tbsp.
Butter 50 gms.
Sliced onions 1 cup
Golden fried sliced onions ¾ cup
Chopped garlic 4 tbsps.
Rose Water 2 tbsps.
Chopped ginger 4 tbsps.
Oil 5 tbsps
Red chili powder 3 tsps.
Salt To taste
Coriander powder 1 tbsp.
Saffron ½ gm.
Turmeric powder 2 tsps.
Curd (yogurt) 2 cup
Bay leaf 4 nos.
Chopped tomato ¾ cup

Preparation Method

1. Marinate chicken pieces .Mix salt, ½ of the red chili powder, ½ of the chopped ginger, ½ of the chopped garlic, 1 tsp. Garam Masala Powder, ½ of the turmeric powder and Curd/Yogurt. Mix well and put chicken pieces in this for an hour.
2. Wash and soak rice in water for about 30 minutes.
3. Boil water, add ½ of the Whole Garam Masala , bay leaf and salt and boil rice till ¾th done. Drain rice and keep aside.
4. Heat oil in a thick bottomed pan. Add remaining Whole Garam masala .Let it crackle. Add Sliced onions and sauté’ until light golden brown.
5. Then add remaining chopped ginger, chopped garlic, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, 1 tsp. Garam Masala powder and chopped tomatoes. Cook for about 5 minutes. Add marinated chicken and cook till chicken is tender.
6. Dissolve saffron in warm milk and keep aside.
7. Arrange alternate layers of chicken and rice. Sprinkle saffron dissolved in milk, remaining Garam Masala powder, mint leaves, golden fried sliced onions and butter in between the layers and on top. Make sure that you end with the rice layer topped with saffron , rose water and spices.
8. Cover and seal with aluminum foil . Cook in a preheated oven, for 10-12 minutes. Alternatively cook on an indirect slow flame for 10 to 12 minutes.