Chicken Biryani

Biryani is a rice based recipe which is popular not only in India but in various other countries.It is made of rice(specially basmati),spices and meat(chicken,mutton,prawns)/veggies.But every country/region has its own way to cook it.Here is my recipe which is not complicated at all but tastes great.

Ingredients

Chicken pieces(with bones) 1 pound

Yogurt(plain) 3/4 cup

Mint Leaves 1/2 cup

Coriander Leaves 1/2 cup

Bay Leaves 2

Cloves 4-5

Cardamom Green 3-4

Cardamom Black 2

Black Peppercorn 8-10

Cinnamon Stick 1 inch

Mace/Javitri 1-2

Cumin Seeds 1 1/2 tsp

Onions 2

Ginger-Garlic Paste 2 tsp

Red Chili pw 1 tsp

Green chili 1-2

Cumin pw 1 tsp

Coriander pw 1 tsp

Turmeric pw 1/2 tsp

Basmati rice 2 cups

Salt

Clarified Butter(ghee) 3 tbsp

Method

1. First of all to marinate take the chicken pieces in a bowl and add ginger-garlic paste,chopped mint leaves,coriander leaves,yogurt,cumin powder,coriander powder,red chili powder,turmeric powder,salt.Mix all the ingredients together and let it marinate for 20 minutes.

2. Wash and soak basmati rice in water for 30 minutes.

3. Heat oil in a thick bottom vessel and add all the whole spices(bay leaves,green and black cardamoms,cumin seeds,cloves,peppercorns,cinnamon stick,mace).Now add sliced onions,chopped green chillies and fry till golden brown in colour.Mix the marinated chicken and cook on medium flame till its half cooked.

4. Now add the rice ,salt,water to this chicken and cook till its done.

5. Garnish it with fried onions,chopped coriander leaves.Serve hot with lemon wedges,raita and pickle.

Note: You can use dried mint if you don't have fresh one.Dried mint is available in Indian grocery stores.