Lazy Chicken Biryani

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breast (washed and diced)
• 2 potatoes (washed and diced)
• 2 tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 tbsp garlic ginger paste (crushed)
• 5 fresh chillies (divided (2 for frying, 3 for topping))
• 3 cup basmati rice (washed and soaked)
• 1 packet biryani masala (divided (some for cooking, some for topping))
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 0.5 tsp turmeric
• 0.5 cinnamon stick
• 4 green cardamoms
• 1 tbsp butter (for topping)
• 2 tbsp yoghurt
• 0.5 handful mint (fresh, divided)
• 0.5 handful coriander (fresh, divided)
• 1 cup fried onions (for topping)
• 1 tbsp whole spices (for rice (pilao masala))
• 1 bay leaf (for rice)
• vegetable oil (for frying aromatics)
• food colouring (for topping)

Steps

1. 1

   Wash and dice the chicken breast and potatoes into bite-sized pieces.

2. 2

   Wash the basmati rice until the water runs clear, then soak it in water for at least 20-30 minutes.

3. 3

   In a large pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add the crushed garlic/ginger paste and 2 fresh chillies. Fry for 2 minutes until fragrant.

4. 4

   Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and fry until they become soft and jammy.

5. 5

   Add the diced chicken, potatoes, yoghurt, biryani masala packet, salt, red chilli powder, turmeric, cinnamon stick, green cardamoms, and half of the fresh mint and coriander. Mix well and fry for 15 minutes.

6. 6

   In a separate pot, boil water with the 1 tablespoon of whole spices (pilao masala) and the bay leaf. Add the soaked rice and boil until it is 75% cooked (al dente).

7. 7

   Add the remaining fresh herbs, 3 chopped fresh chillies, and the fried onions on top of the chicken and potato masala in the pan.

8. 8

   Drain the parboiled rice and layer it evenly on top of the masala.

9. 9

   Pour over the food colouring, a sprinkle of additional biryani masala, and the tablespoon of butter.

10. 10

    Cover the pan tightly and place on low heat to steam (dum) for 15 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and the flavors have melded.

Notes

To ensure the moisture level is correct during the dum process, make sure the masala isn't completely dry before adding the rice. The 75% cooked rice will absorb the remaining moisture from the chicken and potato base.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• biryani
• chicken
• rice
• ramadan
• one-pot
• halal