Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Sauté Whole Spices

   Heat 200 gms of oil in a large pot. Add 2 mace, 3 star anise, 6 green cardamoms, 2 black cardamoms, and 3 cloves. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

2. 2.Add Fennel Seeds, Pepper, Cinnamon, Bay Leaf, and Ginger Garlic Paste

   Add 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, a few pieces of cinnamon, and a few bay leaves to the pot. Then, add 4 tablespoons of ginger garlic paste and mix well, sautéing until the raw smell disappears.

3. 3.Sauté Chillies, Onions, and Mint Leaves

   Add 4 mid-sliced green chillies, 4 chopped onions, and a handful of mint leaves to the pot. Sauté until the onions turn translucent and soft.

4. 4.Add Tomatoes and Chicken

   Add 3 chopped tomatoes to the mixture and mix well. Then, add 1.25 Kg of chicken pieces to the pot and mix thoroughly to coat the chicken with the masala.

5. 5.Season Chicken and Cook with Curd

   Add 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of coriander powder, and 1 tablespoon of garam masala to the chicken. Mix everything well. Add 200 gms of curd, mix again, then cover the pot and cook for 25 minutes on medium heat.

6. 6.Add Rice, Water, and Coriander Leaves

   After 25 minutes, remove the lid. Add 1 Kg of pre-soaked Basmati rice, 4 glasses of water, and a handful of chopped coriander leaves. Add 1 teaspoon of salt (adjust to taste). Mix gently to combine the rice with the chicken masala.

7. 7.Cook Rice and Chicken

   Cover the pot again and cook for 20 minutes on medium heat until the rice is partially cooked and most of the water is absorbed.

8. 8.Add Ghee and Mix

   Remove the lid and add 200 gms of ghee over the rice. Gently mix the biryani to distribute the ghee and ensure the rice is fluffy.

9. 9.Dum Cooking

   Place the biryani pot on an iron tawa (griddle) over low heat. Cover the pot tightly and cook for 10 minutes for the final dum cooking, allowing the flavors to meld and the rice to cook perfectly.

10. 10.Serve Chicken Biryani

    Once cooked, remove from heat. Fluff the biryani gently with a spoon. Serve hot with raita and chopped onions/cucumber.