Chicken Biryani

Step 1: Prepare Rice

Take 2 cups of basmati rice, wash it thoroughly, and then soak it in water for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Grind Spices

In a grinder, add 1 star anise, 3 cinnamon sticks, 6 to 8 cloves, 5 cardamoms, ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, ½ teaspoon fennel seeds, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Grind all these spices to a fine powder.

Step 3: Marinate Chicken

In a bowl, take 750 grams of chicken. Add the freshly ground spice powder, 2 tablespoons of ginger garlic paste, ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, 3 tablespoons of curd, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix everything well until the chicken pieces are evenly coated with the marinade. Let it marinate for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Sauté Aromatics

In a pressure cooker, heat 3 tablespoons of oil and 2 tablespoons of ghee. Add 1 bay leaf, 2 small pieces of cinnamon stick, 1 cardamom, and 2 cloves. Then add 2 sliced onions and 2 green chilies (slit). Sauté until the onions turn light brown.

Step 5: Add Tomatoes and Herbs

Add 2 chopped tomatoes, a handful of mint leaves, and a handful of coriander leaves to the cooker. Sauté until the tomatoes turn soft and mushy.

Step 6: Cook Chicken

Add the marinated chicken to the cooker. Sauté the chicken for 3 minutes on medium flame. Then, cover the cooker with a lid and cook on low flame for 8 to 10 minutes until the chicken is partially cooked and releases its juices.

Step 7: Add Water and Rice

Pour 2 ¾ cups of water into the cooker and add salt to taste (approximately 1 teaspoon). Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, add the soaked basmati rice and gently mix it with the chicken and gravy. Add the juice of half a lemon.

Step 8: Pressure Cook Biryani

Cook for 3 minutes on medium flame after adding the rice. Then, close the pressure cooker with its lid and cook for 2 whistles on medium flame. Once done, let the pressure release naturally before opening the lid. Gently fluff the biryani with a spoon.

• Soaking basmati rice for 30 minutes helps in achieving long, separate grains.

• Sautéing onions until light brown adds depth of flavor to the biryani.

• Adjust green chilies and chili powder according to your spice preference.

• For a spicier version, add more green chilies or chili powder.

• You can add boiled eggs or potatoes for extra texture and flavor.