Hyderabadi Chicken Biriyani

What you’ll need

11 tools across 7 steps.

• heavy bottomed panEssentialsteps 3, 5, 6
• kitchen towelEssentialstep 3
• mixing bowlEssentialstep 4
• colanderEssentialstep 4
• trayEssentialstep 4
• lidEssentialstep 6
• doughEssentialstep 6
• flat spoonEssentialstep 7
• bucketsteps 1, 2
• Slotted spoonstep 3
• serving cupstep 5

Method

1. 1

   Prepare the Rice

   Rinse the 500 g basmati rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in fresh water for at least 30 minutes.

   Soaking helps the rice cook evenly and prevents breakage, resulting in longer, fluffier grains.

   Rice Soaking: 30 minbucket
2. 2

   Marinate the Chicken

   In a large bowl, combine the 750 g chicken pieces with 200 g plain yogurt, 30 g ginger-garlic paste, 3 green chilies, 5 g turmeric powder, 10 g red chili powder, 5 g garam masala, 10 g biriyani masala, 5g (1 teaspoon) of salt, 15 ml lemon juice, half of the chopped mint leaves, and half of the chopped coriander leaves. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably 3-4 hours for best flavor.

   Marinating the chicken for a longer duration allows the flavors to penetrate deeply, making the chicken more tender and flavorful.

   Chicken Marination: 60 minbucket
3. 3

   Prepare Fried Onions (Birista)

   Heat 60 ml ghee or oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the 300 g thinly sliced onions and fry, stirring frequently, until they turn deep golden brown and crispy. This will take about 15-20 minutes. Remove the fried onions with a slotted spoon and spread them on a paper towel to drain excess oil. Set aside.

   Fry onions in batches if your pan is not large enough to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to steaming instead of frying. The crispiness of the birista is crucial for the biriyani's texture and flavor.

   Frying Onions: 20 minheavy bottomed panSlotted spoonkitchen towel
4. 4

   Partially Cook the Rice

   While the chicken marinates and onions fry, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the remaining 5g (1 teaspoon) of salt, 2 bay leaves, 4 green cardamom pods, 4 cloves, and 2.5 cm cinnamon stick. Drain the soaked rice and add it to the boiling water. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the rice is about 70% cooked (it should still have a slight bite). Drain immediately and spread the rice on a large tray to cool slightly and prevent further cooking.

   Do not overcook the rice at this stage, as it will cook further during the 'dum' process. The grains should be separate and firm.

   Cooking Rice: 7 minmixing bowlcolandertray
5. 5

   Prepare Saffron Milk & Assemble Layers

   In a small bowl, steep 0.5 g saffron strands in 30 ml warm milk for 10 minutes. In the same heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven used for onions (or a fresh one), spread the marinated chicken evenly at the bottom. Top with 150 g chopped tomatoes, a layer of half of the fried onions, and the remaining mint and coriander leaves. Carefully layer the partially cooked rice over the chicken and toppings. Drizzle the saffron soaked in warm milk evenly over the rice. You can also add a few drops of food color if desired for visual appeal. Top with the remaining fried onions and a final drizzle of ghee (if using).

   Ensure the chicken forms an even layer at the bottom for uniform cooking. Be gentle when layering the rice to avoid compacting it.

   Saffron Steeping: 10 minserving cupheavy bottomed pan
6. 6

   Dum Cooking (Slow Cook)

   Cover the pan tightly with a lid. For traditional 'dum' cooking, you can seal the edges of the lid with a strip of dough (made from flour and water) to prevent steam from escaping. Place the pan on high heat for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cook for 30-40 minutes. Alternatively, you can place the pan in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 30-40 minutes.

   The tight seal is crucial for 'dum' cooking, allowing the biriyani to cook in its own steam, infusing all the flavors. Do not lift the lid during this process.

   Dum Cooking: 40 minheavy bottomed panliddough
7. 7

   Rest and Serve

   Once cooked, turn off the heat and let the biriyani rest, still covered, for 10-15 minutes. This allows the flavors to settle and the rice grains to firm up. Gently mix the biriyani from the bottom up using a flat spoon, ensuring the chicken and rice are well combined without mashing the rice. Serve hot with raita (yogurt dip) and salan (spicy gravy). This recipe yields 6 servings.

   Always rest biriyani after cooking. When mixing, scoop from the bottom to bring up the flavorful chicken and masala, ensuring every serving gets a good mix of layers.

   Biriyani Rest: 15 minflat spoon