Biryani is one of the most popular dishes in India. This healthy and flavorful dish is a favorite for those who love Indian food. Biryani can be made with meat, vegetables, or fruit like mangoes and pineapple. There are many different variations to this dish, but today we're focusing on making chicken biryani from scratch. Making this dish from scratch will allow you to control the ingredients and make it according to your tastes without buying pre-made ingredients and ruining your meal. Let’s talk about some facts and of this special biriyani.
The Best Indian Chicken Briyani
Chicken biryani is one of the top-rated Indian recipes that have their origins in the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the most popular dishes enjoyed throughout the region and also enjoys a slightly different version in other parts of South Asia. This recipe is derived from South Asian cuisine and is typically prepared with chicken as its main ingredient. You can find chicken biryani recipes in other parts of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Nepal. Chicken biryani is also made with lamb or meat if you prefer to use it instead.
The dish has been around for centuries and was initially served at royal courts as a dish for guests to enjoy during royal festivities or royal visits. The dish has evolved into a more varied form, with different spices and ingredients being added depending on individual preferences or regions where it was prepared. Different cooks prepare many variations throughout India, which makes this dish very different from region to region.
This dish is typically prepared with various spices and vegetables that are used as the main ingredients. Some of the commonly used ingredients include onions, ginger, garlic, spices such as cumin and coriander, green chilies, and various vegetables such as cauliflower, spinach, and potatoes. Some recipes also include other types of meat if you prefer to use it instead of chicken. The recipe below uses chicken as its main ingredient, but you can adjust the recipe by using lamb or other ingredients, depending on your preferences.
The ingredients
There are a few ingredients that you will need for this recipe.
- 1)
Chicken breasts
- 2)
Onion
- 3)
Green peas
- 4)
Cinnamon sticks
- 5)
Bay leaves
- 6)
Cardamom pods
- 7)
Cloves
- 8)
Ground coriander
- 9)
Paprika powder
- 10)
Garlic cloves
- 11)
Fresh ginger root
- 12)
Cumin seeds
- 13)
Soy sauce
- 14)
Coriander powder
- 15)
Tamari or soy sauce substitute
(wheat-free)
- 16) Oil to fry the chicken in
Step 1- Cooking the rice.
The first step in making chicken biryani is cooking the rice. There are several ways you can cook the rice, but we will use a stovetop method. Bring 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of basmati rice to a boil to cook the rice. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for five more minutes so the grains will plump up before transferring it to a serving bowl.
Step 2- Cooking the chicken/veggies.
Take the chicken and cut it into small pieces. You can use your hands or utensils to ensure that each piece is even in size, but try not to over-handle the chicken. Place a large pot on the stove with about three cups of water. Add salt and cook the chicken until it's almost cooked through.
Step 3- Cooking the raisins/sultanas.
To cook the raisins and sultanas, put them in a pan with hot water. Let them boil for a few minutes until they are soft. Drain the water and set it aside in a bowl. This is optional, but if you want to thicken the gravy at this point, then add two tablespoons of flour to thicken it up.
Step 4- Garnish with almonds and
cilantro.
Garnishing your dish before serving will let you know that you made it
from scratch. It's easy to do and adds a great touch to any dish. For this
chicken biryani recipe, we will use unsalted pistachios and cilantro. These
ingredients make an excellent garnish for any Indian meal.
First, fry them in a pan with oil to add the almonds and cilantro until they turn brown. Once they are slightly browned, transfer them onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Finally, sprinkle them onto your finished dish just before serving.
Cooking times for different cooking
methods
If you're cooking your chicken biryani on the stovetop, you'll want to cook it for about 15 minutes. You can also cook it in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-40 minutes or until the chicken is done. If you're cooking your biryani in a pressure cooker, set it to 12 minutes for white rice or 14-16 minutes for brown rice. Furthermore, if you're cooking your biryani on a slow cooker, set it to 8-10 hours. If you have a crockpot, set it to high (4-5 hours) and low (8 hours).
Serving sizes and calorie counts
This dish is best served with basmati rice and a side of raita. Biryani
can also be served in smaller sizes, making it a good dish for lunch or dinner.
Although this dish can be made in either small or large, the larger size will
have twice the calories and twice the ingredients as the smaller size.
Biryani serves six people, but you can easily make a smaller batch by cutting the ingredients in half. For those who want to cut back on carbs, you could serve biryani without rice and serve it with some white quinoa instead. Enjoy!
Conclusion
Learn how to make the best Indian chicken recipe with this easy
step-by-step guide to cooking chicken biryani. From ingredients to cooking
methods, learn how to make this dish that everyone will love.