One-Pot Fragrant Chicken Biryani Recipe
Prep Time:
40 minutes
Cook Time:
45 minutes
Servings:
4 Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt, divided
  • 3 cloves garlic, grated
  • 2 teaspoons grated ginger
  • 2 tablespoons garam masala, divided
  • 2 teaspoons Kashmiri chili powder, divided
  • 2 teaspoons salt, divided
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon coriander
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 2 cups Basmati rice
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2-3 saffron strands
  • 2 tablespoons ghee
  • 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 star anise
  • 5 cardamom pods
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 ½ cups chicken stock, or more as needed
Directions
  1. Make small slits all over the chicken pieces using a paring knife, then add them to a large bowl.
  2. Add ¼ cup yogurt, grated garlic, grated ginger, 1 tablespoon garam masala, 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, turmeric, coriander, and cumin to the bowl.
  3. Using your hands, combine the marinade with the chicken until well coated. Marinate for 30 minutes or up to overnight.
  4. In the meantime, rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Then soak the rice in a large bowl for 30 minutes.
  5. Drain the rice and set it aside.
  6. Heat the milk in the microwave for 30 seconds or until just warmed. Add the saffron and stir.
  7. Heat the ghee in a large pot over medium heat.
  8. Add the onion, star anise, cardamom pods, bay leaves, cloves, and cinnamon and cook until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
  9. Add the chicken and cook, turning once, until nearly cooked through, about 8 minutes.
  10. Add the remaining yogurt, garam masala, chili powder, and salt, and then cover with rice.
  11. Add the saffron milk and chicken broth to the pot and bring to a simmer. Do not stir.
  12. Cover the pot, lower the heat to medium low, and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is fluffy, about 30 minutes. If the rice is undercooked and liquid is absorbed, add ½ cup more chicken broth and cook until the rice is tender.
  13. To serve, fluff the rice with a wooden spoon, then top with cilantro, mint, and fried onions, if desired.