Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Prepare Spices

   Crush whole spices (cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, star anise, nutmeg, mace, stone flower) using a mortar and pestle until finely ground. This will be used in the chicken marination.

2. 2.Fry Onions

   Thinly slice the onions. Heat oil in a pan over a wood-fired stove. Add the sliced onions and fry until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove the fried onions and set aside, reserving some for garnish.

3. 3.Marinate Chicken

   In a clay pot, add the chicken pieces. Add chili powder, garam masala, cumin powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, salt, ginger garlic paste, the prepared fried onions, mint leaves, coriander leaves, slit green chilies, fresh curd, lemon extract, oil, and ghee. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly with your hands until the chicken is well coated. Cover the pot with a banana leaf and let it marinate for 1 hour.

4. 4.Prepare Basmati Rice

   Wash the basmati rice thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear. Soak the washed rice in water for 15 minutes.

5. 5.Boil Water for Rice

   Heat water in a large pot over the wood-fired stove. Add bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, cumin seeds, mint leaves, coriander leaves, and salt to the boiling water. Bring the water to a rolling boil, allowing the spices to infuse.

6. 6.Cook Rice

   Add the soaked basmati rice to the boiling water with spices. Stir gently. Add ghee to the rice. Cook the rice until it is approximately 61.8% done (al dente), meaning it's partially cooked but still firm.

7. 7.Layer Biryani

   Transfer the marinated chicken mixture into a heavy-bottomed pot. Carefully layer the partially cooked rice over the chicken. Sprinkle with fresh coriander leaves, the remaining fried onions, and saffron dissolved in warm water. Drizzle a little extra ghee over the top layer of rice.

8. 8.Dum Cooking

   Seal the pot with a tight-fitting lid and dough to create an airtight seal. Place the pot on the wood-fired stove over low heat for dum cooking. For even cooking, place hot coals on top of the lid. Cook for 30-40 minutes.

9. 9.Serve Biryani

   Once the biryani is cooked, remove the lid and gently mix the biryani from the bottom up to combine the chicken and rice. Serve the Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani hot with raita.