Chicken biryani recipe

 A recipe for chicken biryani: the yummiest and basic chicken biryani you can make eat home 

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Marinade:

- 500g chicken, cut into pieces

- 1 cup yogurt

- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste

- 1 teaspoon red chili powder

- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

- 1 teaspoon garam masala

- Salt to taste

For the Rice:

- 2 cups basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes

- 4-5 cups water

- 1 bay leaf

- 2-3 green cardamom pods

- 2-3 cloves

- Salt to taste

For the Biryani:

- 2 onions, thinly sliced

- 2 tomatoes, chopped

- 2-3 green chilies, slit

- 1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped

- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped

- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee

- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder

- Saffron strands soaked in 2 tablespoons warm milk (optional)

Instructions:

1. Marinade the chicken: In a bowl, mix the chicken with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, and salt. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Cook the rice: In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add soaked rice, bay leaf, cardamom pods, cloves, and salt. Cook until the rice is 70-80% done. Drain and set aside.

3. Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan. Add the cumin seeds and sliced onions. Sauté until the onions turn golden brown.

4. Add the marinated chicken to the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the chicken changes color.

5. Add chopped tomatoes and green chilies. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and the oil starts to separate.

6. Layering: In a heavy-bottomed pot or a large ovenproof dish, layer half of the partially cooked rice, followed by the chicken mixture, fresh mint and coriander leaves. Repeat with another layer of rice and garnish with saffron-infused milk.

7. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid or seal it with aluminum foil. Cook on low heat for about 20-25 minutes (you can also place a heavy object on the lid to seal it).

8. Once done, let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

9. Serve your delicious chicken biryani with raita or a side salad. Enjoy!

Feel free to adjust the spice levels to your preference. Biryani can be customized with additional ingredients like fried onions, boiled eggs, or dried fruits as well.