How to make Chicken Biryani : Step by Step

Here's a recipe for making chicken biryani:

Ingredients:

1 lb. chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 cups basmati rice
4 cups water
2 onions, thinly sliced
2 tomatoes, diced
2 green chilies, finely chopped
2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
4 cardamom pods
4 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
1/2 cup plain yogurt
Salt, to taste
2 tablespoons ghee or vegetable oil
Handful of chopped coriander leaves
Few saffron strands (optional)

Instructions:

Rinse the basmati rice several times until the water runs clear. Soak it in enough water for about 20 minutes.

In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the soaked and drained rice, along with a pinch of salt. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked.

In a separate large pan, heat the ghee or vegetable oil. Add cumin seeds, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and bay leaf, and stir for a few seconds until fragrant.

Add the sliced onions and sauté until golden brown. Then, add the ginger-garlic paste and green chilies, and sauté for another minute.

Add the diced tomatoes and sauté until the tomatoes are soft and mushy.

Add the chicken pieces, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and garam masala powder. Mix well and cook for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink.

In a small bowl, mix the yogurt and salt.

Add the yogurt mixture to the pan and mix well. Simmer on low heat until the chicken is cooked.

Layer the cooked rice on top of the chicken mixture in the pan. Sprinkle chopped coriander leaves and saffron strands (if using) on top.

Cover the pan and simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes until the flavors are well combined.