Chicken Biryani Recipe - Traditional Layered Biryani with Spiced Chicken, Fragrant Rice & Saffron - Eid ul Adha Recipe
Ingredients
Biryani Gravy Ingredients:
- Chicken - 2 lbs. (legs & thighs)
- Fried Onion - 1/2 cup
- Yogurt - 1 cup
- Ginger/Garlic Paste - 1 Tbs
- Almonds - 15 -20
- Dry Coconut - 2 Tbs
- Green Chilies - 3-4
- Cilantro- 1/2 bunch
- Tomato - 1 medium size
- Garam Masala - 1 Tsp
- Kashmiri chili powder - 1 Tsp
- Red chili powder - 1 Tsp
- Coriander powder - 1 1/2 - Tsp
- Biryani Masala (any brand) - 1 Tbsp
- Salt - 1 tsp or according to your taste
- Dry Plums - 4 to 5
- Bay leaves - 2
- Black Cumin - 1/2 Tsp
- Cinnamon stick - 1/2 inch piece
- Green Cardamom - 3 to 4
- Black Cardamom - 2
- Cloves - 4-5
- Oil - 1/2 cup
Biryani Rice Ingredients:
- Water - 7-8 cups
- Basmati Rice - 3 1/2 cups
- Bay leaves - 1
- Black Cumin - 1/2 Tsp
- Cinnamon stick - 1/2 inch piece
- Green Cardamom - 3
- Black Cardamom - 2
- Star Anise - 1
- Cloves - 4
- Salt - 1 tsp
Additional Biryani Ingredients:
- Fried Onion - 1/2 cup
- Green Chilies - 2 cut into halfs
- Cilantro - 1/2 cup roughly chopped
- Lemon Juice - 2 Tsp
- Red/Orange food color - 1/4 tsp each
- Unsalted Butter/Ghee - 4 tsp
- Saffron - 1 tsp
This Eid, treat your loved ones to a rich and aromatic Chicken Biryani that captures the essence of South Asian celebration. Made with tender chicken legs and thighs, this biryani is layered with fragrant basmati rice, whole spices, fried onions, and a creamy yogurt-based gravy infused with almonds, coconut, and green chilies. The slow dum (steam) cooking method allows all the bold flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a dish that’s festive, hearty, and utterly satisfying.
Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make Chicken Biryani. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our chicken biryani calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below.
Instructions
How to make Chicken Biryani Gravy:
1) In a small pan on medium heat, dry roast almonds and shredded coconut until fragrant and set aside.
2) Next, in a blender add roasted coconut, almonds and some water and blend.
3) Now add 1 cup fried onion, and more water to make a smooth paste. Remove the paste from the blender into a bowl and set aside.
4) In the same blender add cilantro, green chilies, and mint leaves and a little bit of water to blend, make a smooth paste, set aside.
5) Next, in a pot, heat 1/2 cup oil.
6) Add whole spices: bay leaves, black cumin, cinnamon stick, green cardamom, black cardamom, star anis, cloves and cook for 1-2 min.
7) Now add Ginger/Garlic paste and chicken.
8) Cook until the chicken changes color.
9) Once the chicken has changed color add chopped tomatoes, almonds/coconut/fried onion paste, and green chili paste. Mix everything and cook for 2-3 mins.
10) Next, add red chili powder, garam masala powder, kashmiri chili powder, coriander powder, biryani masala, dried plums, salt and yogurt. Mix everything well and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated.
11) Lastly add a cup and a half of water and cook until oil separates and meat is cooked.
How to make Biryani Rice:
12) In a large pot on medium/high heat add 8 cups water and whole spices, bring it to boil.
13) Once boiling, add basmati rice and salt.
14) Cook the rice until about half way done. Should take about 10-12 minutes.
15) Once half way cooked, drain the water from the rice and set aside
16) Next in a large dish start layering your ingredients.
How to Assemble & Cook Chicken Biryani:
17) Start by adding half of the rice to the bottom of the dish
18) Next add the meat gravy, chopped cilantro, mint leaves, fried onions, and sliced green chilies.
19) Now add the rest of the rice on top of the gravy.
20) On top of the rice, sprinkle fried onions, lemon juice, saffron, red/orange food color, and butter/Ghee.
21) Cover and bake at 350 F for 20-25 min.
22) Before serving, blend rice and gravy together and enjoy!
This Eid, treat your loved ones to a rich and aromatic Chicken Biryani that captures the essence of South Asian celebration. Made with tender chicken legs and thighs, this biryani is layered with fragrant basmati rice, whole spices, fried onions, and a creamy yogurt-based gravy infused with almonds, coconut, and green chilies. The slow dum (steam) cooking method allows all the bold flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a dish that’s festive, hearty, and utterly satisfying.
Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make Chicken Biryani. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our chicken biryani calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below.
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