Ingredients

For Chicken Marinade:

• 500g chicken (bone-in or boneless, as preferred)
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 green chilies, finely chopped
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt to taste
• A handful of fresh mint leaves, chopped
• A handful of fresh coriander leaves, chopped

For Rice:

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 4 cups water
• 2-3 cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 green cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Salt to taste

For Cooking:

• 2 medium onions, thinly sliced and fried until golden brown
• 3-4 tbsp ghee (clarified butter) or oil
• A pinch of saffron soaked in 3 tbsp warm milk (optional)
• ½ cup milk or water (for layering)
• 1 tsp rose water or kewra water (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

1. In a large bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients.
2. Add the chicken pieces and mix thoroughly.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours (overnight for best results).

Step 2: Prepare the Rice

1. Wash and soak the basmati rice for 30 minutes.
2. In a large pot, boil water with the whole spices (cloves, bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon) and salt.
3. Add the soaked rice and cook until it's 70% done (grains should be firm but not fully cooked). Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Assemble the Biryani

1. In a heavy-bottomed pot or a deep pan, heat ghee/oil.
2. Spread the marinated chicken at the bottom of the pot.
3. Add a layer of half-cooked rice over the chicken.
4. Sprinkle some fried onions, mint, coriander, saffron milk (if using), and rose/kewra water.
5. Repeat the layers until all the chicken and rice are used, finishing with a rice layer on top.

Step 4: Cook the Biryani

1. Seal the pot with a tight-fitting lid or cover with aluminum foil and place a heavy object on top.
2. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes, then reduce to low heat and cook for 25-30 minutes (this is called "dum cooking").
3. Turn off the heat and let the biryani rest for 10 minutes before opening the lid.

Step 5: Serve

1. Gently fluff the biryani with a fork to mix the layers slightly.
2. Serve hot with raita, boiled eggs, or a side salad.

Enjoy the rich, aromatic flavors of Chicken Hyderabadi Biryani! 🌟