Authentic Spicy Chicken Biryani

CityDoors's Note:

Since my husband is from southern India, I make Indian cuisine 5-6 days a week. Indian cooking is some of the healthiest in the world. Below I have shared the very best biryani recipe with all of you, one of the most coveted dishes in India. It is purely authentic and I did not "Americanize" any part of it. This is one of my husband's favorite dishes. For vegetarians, you can make this using tofu, but skip the pressure cooker step and boil the rice instead. Also, please note that the salt is very important in Indian cooking, as it brings out the flavor of the spices in the recipe. Do not try to use any less salt.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 42 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 27 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 3 chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 large red onion, chopped lengthwise
• 2 large tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 tablespoon turmeric
• 1 whole cinnamon stick
• 4 whole cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 3/4 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons red chili powder
• 5 green chilies, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon coriander powder
• 1/2 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 generous pinch saffron thread (optional)
• 1 tablespoon chicken garam masala powder (optional)
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 bunch cilantro leaf, chopped
• 3 cups water
• ghee (this is crucial to the flavor)
• 2 teaspoons rose water
• 3 hard-boiled eggs, sliced

Directions:

1. Marinate the chicken pieces in yogurt, 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, and vinegar. Keep in refrigerator for about 1 hour.
2. Soak basmati rice for 30 minutes in water. Drain. Fry the soaked rice in 3 tablespoons of ghee for only 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Set aside.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in another pan. Over medium heat, fry cloves, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves for 2-3 minutes. Add turmeric and onions and fry until soft, stirring constantly. Add the other 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste and fry for another 3 minutes.
4. Add tomatoes. Cook until very mushy. After that, stir in the salt and cayenne pepper and cook for 1-2 minutes.
5. Add marinated chicken pieces and cook for 2 minutes, then mix in only half of the chopped cilantro leaves.
6. Add coriander powder, garam masala, saffron threads, and chicken masala, frying together for about 5 minutes.
7. Add the fried mixture to a pressure cooker with 3 cups of water and pressure cook for one whistle (or for roughly 20-25 minutes if you do not have a whistle mechanism).
8. Remove from heat. Open lid when pressure is released. Stir in the fried rice and remaining cilantro and mix well. Pressure cook again for one whistle or 20 minutes.
9. When done, sprinkle rose water over finished biryani and garnish with hard boiled eggs.