Classic Chicken Biryani Recipe

Ingredients

• For the rice:
  2 cups basmati rice
  4 cups water
  2 bay leaves
  4-5 cloves
  2-3 cardamom pods
  1 cinnamon stick
  Salt to taste

• For the chicken marinade:
  500g chicken, cut into pieces
  1 cup yogurt
  1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
  1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  1 teaspoon red chili powder
  1 teaspoon garam masala
  Salt to taste

• For the biryani:
  2 large onions, thinly sliced
  2 tomatoes, chopped
  2 green chilies, slit
  1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped
  1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
  1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  1 tablespoon biryani masala
  1/2 cup milk
  A pinch of saffron strands (optional)
  3 tablespoons ghee or oil

• 
  Prepare the Biryani:
  Heat 3 tablespoons of ghee or oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan.
  Add the sliced onions and cook until they are golden brown and caramelized. Remove half of the onions and set aside for garnishing.
  Add cumin seeds, green chilies, and chopped tomatoes to the pan. Cook until the tomatoes are soft.
  Add the marinated chicken to the pan. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
  Add the biryani masala, chopped coriander, and mint leaves. Mix well.
  Layer the Biryani:
  In a small bowl, warm the milk and add a pinch of saffron strands (if using) to it. Let it infuse.
  In the pan with the chicken, spread half of the partially cooked rice over the chicken layer.
  Drizzle half of the saffron milk over the rice, and sprinkle some of the reserved caramelized onions.
  Repeat with the remaining rice, saffron milk, and caramelized onions.
  Dum Cooking:
  Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid. You can seal the edges with dough to keep the steam inside.
  Cook on low heat (you can place the pan on a tawa/griddle to prevent direct heat) for 20-25 minutes.
  Turn off the heat and let it rest for another 10 minutes before opening.
  Serve:
  Gently fluff up the biryani with a fork, mixing the layers.
  Serve hot with raita, salad, or a side dish of your choice.
  Enjoy your delicious homemade Chicken Biryani!