The Best Chicken Biryani
We think this is a truly amazing and delicious version of the classic Indian layered rice dish. Our method is close to the traditional way, except we finish ours in the oven rather than on the stovetop. This ensures even heating, which acts as an insurance policy against burning. Save the leftover onion oil – it's very fragrant and flavorful and can be used in other sauces.
- Level: Advanced
- Total: 3 hr 30 min
- Active: 3 hr
- Yield: 8 servings
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- Level: Advanced
- Total: 3 hr 30 min
- Active: 3 hr
- Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
1 cup whole milk yogurt
Kosher salt
2 teaspoons Kashmiri chili powder (see Cook's Note)
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 1/2 pounds bone-in skinless chicken thighs
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 large red onions, thinly sliced
2 cups basmati rice
8 whole cloves
7 green cardamom pods
3 bay leaves
1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
2 large pinches saffron
1/4 cup whole milk
1/2 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon finely grated ginger
5 cloves garlic, finely grated
2 medium tomatoes, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup cilantro leaves
1/2 cup mint leaves
Directions
- Whisk together the yogurt, 3 tablespoons salt, chili powder and turmeric in a large bowl. Add the chicken and turn to coat. Let sit at room temperature until ready to use, up to 1 hour. (Alternatively, the chicken can be marinated for up to 2 days covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator.)
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over high heat until a deep-fry thermometer reaches 350 degrees F. Fry half of the onions, stirring frequently for even cooking, until deep golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer them to a paper-towel lined baking sheet to drain. Season with salt and let cool. Let the oil come back up to temperature and repeat with the remaining onions. Reserve the oil.
- Wash, rinse and drain the rice in a bowl full of cold water until the water is almost clear, about 5 times. Bring the rice, 1/4 cup salt, 4 of the cloves, 3 of the cardamom pods, 1 of the bay leaves, the peppercorns and 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Cook for exactly 5 minutes. (The rice will not be completely cooked; it will continue to cook in the oven. Do not cook longer or the rice will get mushy.) Drain and transfer the rice and spices to a medium bowl.
- Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 300 degrees F.
- Stir together the saffron and milk in a small bowl until combined.
- Heat 3 tablespoons of the reserved onion oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the cinnamon stick, cumin seeds and the remaining 4 cloves, 4 cardamom pods and 2 bay leaves. Cook, stirring frequently, until the spices are very fragrant and beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until very fragrant and beginning to stick to the bottom of the pan, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally and scraping the garlic and ginger from the bottom of the pan, until the tomatoes start to break down and most of the liquid has evaporated, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup water, bring to a boil and scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and layer on top of the tomatoes. Then sprinkle half the fried onions on top of the chicken. Top with the rice and spices and then drizzle the saffron milk over the rice. Cover the pan and bake until the liquid evaporates, the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through, 30 to 40 minutes.
- Let sit covered for 10 minutes, then transfer the biryani to a large serving platter. Top with the remaining fried onions, cilantro and mint leaves.
Cook’s Note
We use Kashmiri chili powder for its aggressive heat but vegetal and almost floral flavor. Look for in Indian groceries and Asian markets. You may substitute hot (unsmoked) paprika.
