CHICKEN BIRYANI MASALA [ONE POT RECIPE]

Prep Time: 1 hour, Cook Time: 25 min
Total Time: 1 hour 25 min
Servings: 4
 

INGREDIENTS

For the Chicken Marinade
½ kg chicken breasts or cubes
3 tbsp Greek yogurt
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp A Spice Affair’s Biryani Masala Seasoning
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt, to taste

For Cooking
2 cups basmati rice
2 tbsp butter, ghee or olive oil
½ tbsp A Spice Affair’s Biryani Masala Seasoning (or whole spices: 1 Bay Leaf, 4 Green Cardamom Pods, 6 Cloves, 1 pinch Cinnamon, 1 Star Anise, ¾ tsp Cumin)
1 onion, sliced
¼ cup Greek yogurt
¼ cup mint leaves, finely chopped, divided
1 green chili, chopped
1 ½ tsp A Spice Affair’s Biryani Masala Seasoning
3 cups boiled water (mixed with ¼ tsp salt)
1 pinch saffron or A Spice Affair's Safflower (optional) 
Roasted cashews, for garnish (optional)
Raisins, for garnish (optional)
 

PREPARATION

1. In a bowl, add marinade ingredients except chicken. Stir until well combined. Taste and adjust salt and seasoning to your liking.
   
   
2. Poke the chicken with the help of a knife, add it to the marinade, and mix until evenly coated. Let marinate in fridge for an hour or overnight.
   
   
3. In a large bowl, rinse basmati rice with cold water. Let it soak for 30 minutes then drain.
   
   
4. Heat butter in a large deep pot over medium heat, then add ½ tablespoon Biryani Masala Seasoning and stir until fragrant. Add in the onions and fry until light golden brown.
   
   
5. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cover pot and cook chicken on low heat until cooked through. You may cut a piece to check if it’s fully cooked.
   
   
6. Add the yogurt, half the mint leaves, green chili, and 1 ½ teaspoons Biryani Masala Seasoning. Combine well and line the chicken at the bottom of the pot.
   
   
7. Pour drained uncooked rice over the chicken in the pot. Gently add 3 cups salted boiled water around the inner contour of the pot and top with the remaining mint leaves and saffron if using.
   
   
8. Cover pot and cook over medium heat until the rice is well cooked but not overly soft. If the rice is undercooked and there’s no water, add ¼ to ½ cup of boiling water and cook more.
   
   
9. Serve rice with chicken and top with cashews and raisins if you'd like. Serve with a side of Greek yogurt and lemon wedges. Enjoy!

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