Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani

Fragrant and delicious Hyderabadi biryani in under an hour made on the stovetop. Also, try our popular Instant Pot Biryani recipe. 

Makes 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 Tbs. Niwala Hyderabadi Biryani Organic Spice Blend
• 1/2 cup whole plain or Greek yogurt 
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 lb. chicken breast, cut into 1 1/2” cubes
• 1 1/2 cups basmati rice
• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 1/4 onion, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
• 2 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 green chili, sliced lengthwise

Directions:

1. In a medium sized bowl, mix 1 Tbs. Niwala Hyderabadi Biryani Organic Spice Blend, yogurt, and 1/2 tsp. salt until combined. Add chicken and coat well, massaging into the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, wash rice in several exchanges of cold water and drain. In a medium bowl, soak rice in 1 1/2 cups cold water for 20 minutes.
3. While rice is soaking, in a medium saucepan on medium heat, add 1 Tbs. oil and sliced onions. Sauté until golden brown, about 7-10 minutes. Be careful not to burn but they should be caramelized. Take out onions and set aside.
4. Drain rice and place back in a medium bowl. Add the rest of the Biryani spice blend (1/2 Tbs.), 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 Tbs. oil and gently fold into the drained rice. Set aside.
5. Add chicken to saucepan with 1/2 Tbs. oil. Sauté on medium high heat until the oil begins to separate, about 7-10 minutes.
6. While saucepan is on medium high heat, add rice mixture on top of the chicken, and spread evenly. Sprinkle fried onions, cilantro, and green chili over the rice. Poke holes in the rice all the way down to the bottom of the pot using the handle of a wooden spoon. Top with 1 1/2 cups of water and wait until the water bubbles, about 1 minute. Lower heat to a simmer, cover tightly, and cook for 30 minutes.
7. Fluff rice with a fork and gently fold with the chicken mixture. Enjoy Biryani with Raita.

Notes:

• You can marinate the chicken overnight and continue with the rest of the steps the next day.
• Add 1-2 tsp. more spice blend if you like a spicier biryani.
• For extra flavor, stir in a pinch of saffron in the rice after you drain it.