Chicken biryani, a traditional dish that traveled from Persia to India

If you love Indian cuisine, you’ll adore chicken biryani! It’s a delicious and hearty dish that combines flavorful spiced rice with tender and spicy chicken.

Chicken biryani: a traditional Indian dish

Chicken biryani is a traditional Indian dish made with rice and chicken, highly cherished and easily prepared at home. Recipes vary by region and family, but they all share the use of spices and herbs to infuse the rice and chicken with aromatic flavors. The dish is often served with raita, salan, or korma, which are spicy and creamy sauces. Chicken biryani is a popular and festive dish, frequently prepared for special occasions or family gatherings.

Origin and history of chicken biryani

Chicken biryani is believed to have been introduced by Persian Muslim invaders. It is an adaptation of pilaf, a dish of rice cooked with meat and vegetables, which is common in many Middle Eastern and Central Asian cuisines. What sets chicken biryani apart is the use of aromatic spices like turmeric, cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, or saffron, imparting the rice a golden-yellow hue and delicate fragrance. The chicken is marinated in yogurt and spices beforehand, rendering it tender and succulent. The rice and chicken are then cooked together in a large pot or ovenproof dish, layering the two ingredients alternately. Chicken biryani is often served with accompaniments like raita (a yogurt and herb sauce), fried onions, slivered almonds, or raisins. It’s a comforting and convivial dish that can be prepared in advance and reheated easily.

Variations of chicken biryani

There are numerous regional versions of chicken biryani, such as Hyderabadi biryani, Lucknowi biryani, or Sindhi biryani, which differ in terms of spices, meats, and vegetables used. Variants not only diverge in ingredients but also in cooking methods and accompaniments. Chicken biryani is usually served with raita (a yogurt and vegetable sauce), salan (a spicy sauce made from chili and tamarind), or korma (a creamy sauce made from cashews and cream). It is a popular and celebratory dish, often prepared for special occasions or family meals.

Ingredients for chicken biryani

To prepare chicken biryani, gather the following ingredients:

• Basmati rice, a long and fragrant rice variety
• Chicken, cut into pieces
• Plain yogurt
• Vegetable oil
• Onions, thinly sliced
• Garlic, crushed
• Ginger, grated
• Spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, paprika, garam masala, saffron, salt, and pepper
• Fresh herbs like mint and coriander
• Dried fruits like raisins and almonds

The secret to this dish lies in marinating the chicken in yogurt, which imparts flavor and tenderness. You can adapt the recipe to your preferences and the ingredients available in your region. Here’s how to prepare a succulent chicken biryani at home.

The steps for preparing chicken biryani:

Here’s a simple and quick chicken biryani recipe that will take you on a culinary journey to India without leaving your kitchen.

• To prepare chicken biryani, you’ll need simple and easily available ingredients: Basmati rice, chicken, plain yogurt, onions, garlic, ginger, spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, paprika, garam masala, saffron, salt, and pepper, fresh herbs like mint and coriander, as well as dried fruits like raisins and almonds.
• The day before, you can marinate the chicken with yogurt and spices. On the day of cooking, start by sautéing the onions in a large pan with oil until they become golden. In the same pan, brown the chicken with the marinade and whole spices for about ten minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the rice in a pot with water and saffron. Also, boil potatoes and peas in another pot of salted boiling water for a few minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 180°C. In a large ovenproof dish, layer rice, then chicken with its sauce, and then vegetables. Repeat the layers until all the ingredients are used up. Drizzle a mixture of milk, saffron, and rose water over the layers. Sprinkle with coriander and fried onions.
• Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Serve the chicken biryani piping hot with plain yogurt or raita (yogurt mixed with grated cucumber and mint). You can also serve it with a spicy sauce like salan or korma.

Chicken biryani is a delicious and aromatic dish that’s perfect for special occasions or family meals. Feel free to add your personal touch by varying the ingredients and accompaniments according to your tastes and desires.