Chicken Biryani

May 18, 2021

Chicken Biryani

Chicken and rice are the perfect combinations and this deliciously layered dish adds in caramelized onions with the chicken cooking on the bottom. Yogurt and spices round it out to the most delicious creation you have ever experienced. This dish is originally from India, but is also becoming more popular in the US especially with Instagram influencers.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

Parboiled rice:

  • 1 Cup Jasmine rice
  • water enough to cover the rice
  • 1 bay leaf

Marinated chicken

  • 2 Cups nonfat yogurt smooth or European style
  • 1 Cup water
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon each of these spices garam masala, ground coriander, garlic powder, cinnamon, turmeric, paprika
  • pinch cayenne and chili powder
  • 3 chicken thighs cut in half

Browned onions

  • 1 onion
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil

Saffron topping (can also use tumeric and water)

  • pinch saffron
  • warm water

Instructions
 

  • Bring the rice, several cups of water, and a bay leaf to a boil. Boil 5 minutes then drain in a colander and reserve. Rice is now parboiled.
  • Marinate the chicken thighs in the yogurt, water, oil, and spices for a few hours or overnight.
  • Slice the onion very thin, toss with oil, and brown in a 450-degree oven or air fryer. You can also fry it on top of a stove.
  • Place the chicken/yogurt mixture in its entirety in a large dutch oven. Add the browned onions, placing them over the top. Then place the rice over the top of all and press flat. Pour the saffron and its liquid over the top.
  • Bring all to a boil then bake covered in a 375-degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the chicken and rice are done.

Notes

Chef's Tips: If you don't have saffron you can mix a teaspoon of turmeric with a few tablespoons of hot water and use this liquid to pour over the top of the rice before baking the dish. When the dish is done scoop it carefully out of the pot so you don't mix the layers. That is part of the beauty of the dish. It is desirable to serve it right out of the Dutch oven pan.
Nutrition Information: Serves 6. Each 1.5 cups serving: 266 calories, 8g fat, 2g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 26mg cholesterol, 86mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 7g sugars, 14g protein.
Copyright foodandhealth.com, reprinted with permission.