Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Prepare the Spices

   Heat 200 grams of oil in a large cooking pot. Add 2 pieces of mace, 3 star anise, 6 green cardamoms, 2 black cardamoms, 3 cloves, 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of black peppercorns, a few pieces of cinnamon, and a few bay leaves. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.

2. 2.Add Aromatics

   Add 4 tablespoons of ginger garlic paste and mix well. Then add 4 medium sliced green chilies and 4 chopped onions. Sauté until the onions turn translucent.

3. 3.Incorporate Mint and Tomatoes

   Add a handful of mint leaves and sauté well for a few minutes. Then add 3 chopped tomatoes and mix thoroughly, cooking until they soften.

4. 4.Add Chicken and Spices

   Add 1.25 kg of chicken pieces to the pot and mix well with the sautéed ingredients. 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. Mix all ingredients thoroughly to coat the chicken.

5. 5.Cook the Chicken

   Add 200 grams of curd to the chicken mixture and mix well. Cover the pot with a lid and cook for 25 minutes, allowing the chicken to partially cook and absorb the flavors.

6. 6.Add Rice and Water

   After 25 minutes, remove the lid. Add 1 kg of washed and soaked basmati rice to the pot, spreading it evenly over the chicken. Pour in 4 glasses of water. Add a handful of chopped coriander leaves and 1 teaspoon of additional salt. Gently mix the rice and water without disturbing the chicken too much.

7. 7.Cook the Biryani

   Cover the pot again and cook for 20 minutes until the rice is almost done and most of the water has been absorbed.

8. 8.Add Ghee and Dum Cook

   Remove the lid, add 200 grams of ghee over the rice, and gently mix. Place the cooking pot on an iron tawa (griddle) and cook on low heat for 10 minutes for dum cooking, allowing the flavors to meld and the rice to finish cooking perfectly.

9. 9.Serve

   Once dum cooking is complete, gently fluff the biryani with a spoon. Serve hot with raita or your favorite side dish.