How to make Delicious Chicken Biryani
Chicken Biryani Recipe
⏩Prep time: 15 minutes
⏩Cook time: 40 minutes
⏩Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
➥1 ¹/₂ cups (150g) long-grain white rice, like basmati➥4 bone-in, skin on chicken thighs (about 1 ¹/₂ pounds)
➥1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
➥¹/₂ teaspoon black pepper, or more to taste
➥2 tablespoons vegetable oil
➥1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped
➥1 piece (2 inches) fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
➥1 teaspoon ground turmeric
➥¹/₂ teaspoon ground cardamom, plus more to taste
➥1 stick cinnamon
➥1 bay leaf
➥¹/₂ cup golden raisins
➥2 ¹/₂ cups water
➥¹/₄ cup skinned or unskinned whole almonds, or sliced almonds
➥2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Method
Rinse the rice: In a bowl of water, swirl the rice with your hands several times. Tip the rice into a fine-mesh strainer. Refill the bowl with water, then add the rice back in and swirl again -- the water should be clear now. If so, tip the rice back into the strainer and leave to drain until needed. If the water was not clear, repeat rinsing with fresh water until the water is clear.
Prepare the chicken: Cut each thigh in half along the bone; the pieces will be uneven in size with the bone in one-half. Sprinkle the chicken all over with salt and pepper.
Sear the chicken: In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat, heat the oil. When it is hot, add the chicken, skin side down. Cook for 5 minutes without disturbing. Turn the chicken and cook the other side for 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Discard all but 2 tablespoons fat from the pan.
Cook the onion and spices: Add the onion and ginger to the pot and turn the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring often, for 8 minutes, or until they soften. Add the turmeric and cardamom. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute more.
Add the rice and seared chicken: Add the rice to the pan and stir it into the onion and spices.
Return the seared chicken to the pan, along with any juices that have accumulated in the bowl. Turn the chicken in the spices so the pieces are coated all over.
Add the cinnamon, bay leaf, raisins, and water.
Cook the biryani: Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat and cover the pan. Simmer for 18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through. Remove the pan from the heat; set aside for 5 minutes.
Toast the almonds: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the almonds, shaking the pan often, for 5 minutes or until they are aromatic. Chop coarsely.
Serve the biryani: Remove the bay leaf and cinnamon stick from the rice. Taste and add additional salt, pepper, or cardamom to suit your taste. Sprinkle the dish with almonds and cilantro.
Recipe Note: Boneless thighs can be substituted for the bone-in thighs if you prefer, though you'll lose the richness the bones give the dish. Prep and cook boneless thighs the same way.
