A pure Bangladeshi foodie knows the specialty of a  Biryani. Puran Dhaka has an iconic bond with Biryani, as many people connect the area with it. But in recent times, New Dhaka has also come up with new outlets to satiate the people’s never ending demand for a proper biryani. Biryani is one of the most popular comfort foods of Bangladesh. Now, if you can’t seem to go out (in the pandemic and lockdown, don’t risk it anyway!), and you can’t order your favorite biryani for some reason, we have your back! Here we have a basic chicken biryani recipe for you to whip up at your home. 

The Item: Chicken Biryani

While we are more than aware of the more famous mutton variant Kacchi Biryani, the Chicken Biryani variant is the second most popular variant in the Biryani family. Because, Chicken goes well with almost every rice dish! Biryani is no exception. Although the overall process is quite different from the kacchi variant. We will break down how you can cook for your family at your home.

Chicken Biryani Recipe Ingredients (Four Persons)

• 500 Grams of Basmati rice
• 1 Kg Chicken (Thighs and Breasts pieces Preferably)
• 6 tablespoons of yoghurt
• 2 and a half tablespoons of Ginger garlic Paste
• Biryani Masala or Garam masala if biryani Masala isn’t available – 1 tablespoon
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon read chilly powder
• Half tablespoon of turmeric (ground up)
• 2 tablespoons of Lemon juice
• 2 bay leaf pieces, 
• 8 green cardamoms
•  Cloves
•  2 cinnamon pieces
•  2 star anises
•  1 and a half teaspoons of Shahi jeera
•  2 strand maces

Preparation

Preparing the Chicken

First, Mix the Chicken with the other ingredients apart from the rice. Set the mixture aside for at least an hour. You can also let it sit overnight. While the mixture sets, you can take the rice in a large pot and rinse thrice for good effect. Next, you have to cook the meat. Take a small amount of ghee or oil in a pressure cooker or large bottom pot. Take 2 bay leaf pieces, 8 green cardamoms, cloves, 2 cinnamon pieces, 2 star anises, 1 and a half teaspoons of Shahi jeera and 2 strand maces to cook the chicken.

On a pan, cook sliced onions until they become a light brown shade. Add the marinated chicken with the whole spices. Cook for five minutes, or until they become a pale shade. Lower the flame then and keep cooking the chicken until it becomes soft and cooked through properly. Now add the yoghurt, biryani masala, red chilly powder, 1 tablespoon green chilli powder, and mint leaves to the chicken

Prepare the Biryani

Mix both the rice and the chicken very well in an even manner in one layer. In a separate pot, pour 6 cups of water, and pour half or 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir the water and once it’s salty, pour 4 cups of water across the side of the cooker. Pour the rest of the water on top of the rice.

Make sure the rice is evenly distributed on top of the meat. You can add mint leaves if you want. Once this has been done, cover the cooker. Keep cooking the rice, if undercooked, add more water from time to time. When it’s done, let it rest for approximately 20 minutes. Remove the Cooker and serve in layers. 

There are many more variations of the chicken biryani recipe, but this version should be easy enough to make. If you don’t really feel like cooking, then Hungrynaki brings you the best biryani restaurants in Dhaka. Order from home, be safe and enjoy!