Spicy Indian-Style Skillet Chicken Biriyani

Submitted by Kittencalrecipezazz

"If you are a lover of Indian food, then you will love this dish! This is a skillet version of the Indian biriyani, no need to bake in the oven it is all made in a skillet with the same authentic flavors, do not use low-fat yogurt for this or it will curdle, use whole milk yogurt. If you have any saffron add in a pinch to the rice when it is cooking, along with a very small pinch cinnamon and 2 teaspoons salt, use 3 cups water or chicken broth with 1-1/2 cups basmati rice. You can adjust the jalapeno peppers and chili flakes amount to taste and also use as much curry as desired."

 

• Ready In: 1hr
• Ingredients: 16
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 3 cups cooked basmati rice
• 1 1⁄2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into about 3/4-inch pieces)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 3 tablespoons fresh minced garlic (to taste)
• 2 -4 teaspoons dried chili pepper flakes (or to taste) or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 teaspoons curry powder (or use more if desired)
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cardamom
• 2 small jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped or 2 serrano chilies, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 cup full-fat plain yogurt
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 1⁄2 cups chopped cashews (or to taste)

directions

1. Sprinkle the chicken with about 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (can use more pepper).
2. Heat oil with butter over medium heat; add in the chicken and cook for about 6-7 minutes or until cooked through, remove to a bowl, cover with foil to keep warm.
3. Add in onions and cook for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned (you might have to add in more oil if needed).
4. Add in garlic, chili flakes, curry powder, ginger, cardamom and jalapeno peppers; cook stirring for 3 minutes.
5. Add in yogurt, cook stirring constantly for 2 minutes.
6. Add in chicken and raisins; cook for about 3-4 minutes or until heated through.
7. Add in cooked rice; stir to combine.
8. Season with more salt and black pepper to taste.
9. Sprinkle with chopped cashews.

Reviews

[Corrie in AZ]

So good! I have never had biriyani before so I don't really have anything to compare it to, but this was delicious. I did not have fresh ginger or jalapenos, so I used powdered ginger, some cinnamon (I loved the sweet edge it gave it!) and added a second packet of crushed pepper flakes left over from getting pizza. I also did what one of the other reviewers did and add craisins instead. I will definitely be making this again - great comfort food and even better the second day for lunch. Mmmm. :)

 

[MacFie]

I had been wanting to make my first homemade "curry", and this hit the spot. I absolutely loved it!

 

[Dutch Masala]

This was excellent! My husband is Indian and biriyani is a comfort food for him, but often takes so long to prepare. This recipe was easy and he didn't even realise that I hadn't slaved in the kitchen for hours!!! I did make a few changes....I added 2 cinnimon sticks, used green cardamon pods and sprinkled sliced almonds on the top at the end. I also used chili powder, chili flakes and green chili's but it was too spicey so next time I will cut way back on the flakes. I also added the garam masala (a must for Indian cooking) and it gave it the right brown colour that is common with Moghul dishes...my husband said just like home. Will definetly be using this recipe again.

 

[MrsMM]

I was torn on whether or not to give this stars, because I altered the recipe a lot. However, the flavors were the same- and I wanted to rate the outstanding flavor of this dish. Plus, perhaps someone might use my variations! I know for sure that I'll be making this my way AND your way many times in the future. I am always wary of curry powder, because I tend to think "Curry Powder doesn't automatically indian food make." But this dish utilized it really really really well. We love Biryani, but rarely eat it for the fat content, all the rice, the sheer amount of butter. That's why I was drawn to this recipe. Now my changes: I used chicken thighs (boneless/skinless) and green chilis from the Indian store. I also used 2 cups of cooked quinoa in place of the rice (more protein, less carbs) I omitted raisins for DH's tastes, and--- I successfully used lowfat yogurt. I just beat it up first so that it was smooth and fluffy. It didn't curdle at all. Lastly- I added one teaspoon of garam masala with the yogurt- to spice it up a little further. We truly enjoyed this. It was a very very very simple dish to make, with all the flavors that we miss that we don't get to enjoy on a normal weeknight. Thank you so much for sharing!

 

[Redsie]

Love Indian food - so we loved this!! I would use more yogurt next time to have more sauce - but the taste was amazing!! Loved the mix of spices!! Thanks Kit! :)