I was introduced to Biryani at quite an early age thanks to Papa, who would religiously enter the kitchen every Sunday to cook something special! Since Papa loves Mutton, it had to be either his signature Mutton Curry/Shami Kebabs or my favorite Mutton Biryani!!It has been my most demanded dish since childhood and Papa has happily been cooking it for us all. Every-time I visit my parents in India I so look forward to the succulent taste of this delicacy that is devoured by so many!
To me Papa’s Mutton Biryani has been one of the best foods I ever ate! I remember the aroma wafting through the air, every time Papa was in the kitchen and I patiently waited, since it was a little time consuming. Every bite of that biryani was an explosion of delicate flavors that made it absolutely delectable! My interest in cooking developed just by watching Papa cook. The patience he has, the love for cooking that’s so evident when he’s in the kitchen has rubbed off on me quite a bit. So this Father’s day I bring to you Papa’s favorite Biryani using Chicken instead! I’ve adapted Papa’s recipe to make my own healthier version using oil, but I’m sure he will love this one too 🙂
Cooking biryani is an art of perfection. The rice cannot be over or under cooked. If it’s over cooked you’ll get a sticky consistency and that’s not what it should look like and if it’s under cooked, you don’t want to be eating that either.Every strand of rice should be flaky and separated and that’s why its so important to use long grain Basmati rice. Believe me, I’ve had a few disasters where the rice was under-cooked! But now, I’ve perfected the art of making Biryani and there’s nothing like a good home cooked version where YOU control the ingredients.Once its cooked the chicken is so juicy and tender, it just falls off the bone!Its also way healthier than the one’s served in restaurants doused in Ghee and butter.
The delicate mix of herbs and the aromatic spices flavor the dish beautifully and the caramelized onions give their sweetness in every bite! Truly a royal dish~
Healthy Chicken Biryani
Ingredients
- Mix of Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks-1.5 lbs
- Long grain Basmati rice-2 Cups
- Onion -2 Large thinly sliced separated
- Ginger/Garlic paste-1 tbsp + 1 tsp separated
- Red Chilli Powder-1 tsp
- Ground Cumin-1 tsp
- Chopped Mint-1 cup
- Chopped Coriander-1/2 cup
- 1 cup lukewarm milk
- Saffron-1 tbsp
- Oil- 2 tbsp
- Salt to taste
Grind together:
- Cloves - 6
- Cinnamon - 1 inch
- Cardamom-3
Instructions
- In a bowl marinade the Chicken pieces in 1 tbsp of ginger/garlic paste, ground spices, red chilli, cumin and the herbs with some salt and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
- Rice:
- Soak the rice for about 30 minutes.In a large pot place the rice
- and add about 5-6 cups of water along with a teaspoon of ginger garlic paste and a good
- amount of salt. Bring it to a good boil until you see the rice roll over in the
- boiling water. At this point drain all the liquid from the rice and it must be
- ¾ cooked.
Onions:
- Slice one large onion and sauté it with a little bit of oil on
- low to medium heat until its golden and caramelized. Keep aside.
Saffron:
- Microwave the milk in a cup and add the Saffron. Mix and keep
- aside.
You are now ready to layer the Biryani.
- Take a large flat-bottomed pot and add the oil.
- Once heated add the raw sliced onions and cook on high heat for about 2 minutes. Add the marinated Chicken and continue to cook on high for about 3-4 minutes stirring regularly.
- Arrange half of the cooked rice over the chicken.
- Pour half the Saffron infused milk all over and arrange half of the caramelized onions all over. You could also sauté some cashews in oil until golden and add that too
- Repeat this step again Rice-milk-onions.
- Cover the pot with a tight fitting lid. Add 2 layers of aluminum foil all over making sure there’s no gap
- from any side.
- Seal it and cook on the lowest heat for about 35 minutes.
- Switch off the heat and let it sit covered for another 10 minutes
- before you open.
- Your biryani is now ready! Serve hot with a raita and salad.
- Enjoy!
I’m bringing this dish to our #Sunday Supper-Moments with Dad event! Check out the fabulous menu and recipes below!!This is a Special #SundaySupper you don’t want to miss!!!
Father’s Day Brunch:
- Dad’s Omelette Bar – Small Wallet Big Appetite
- Peanut Butter and Honey for Father’s Day Breakfast – What Smells So Good?
- Healthy French Toast – In the Kitchen with Audrey
- Paska – Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Dad’s Favorite Soup, Salads and Bread:
- Phil’s Pasta Tuna Salad – The Watering Mouth
- Simple German Potato Salad and Wiener Wursts – The German Foodie
- Roasted Beet Soup – Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Dad’s Cornbread – Magnolia Days
Father’s Day Favorite Main Dishes:
- Greek Burger – Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Dad’s Favorite Roast Beef – Mrs. Mama Hen
- Bacon-Wrapped Sonoran Hot Dogs – Damn Delicious
- Bacon Stuffed Jucy Lucy Burger – Are you Hungry?
- Spicy Roasted Salmon in Coconut – Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Dad’s Pride-of-Mobile Fried Oysters – Pescetarian Journal
- Smoked Baby Back Ribs – Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Grilled Pork Chops with Tarragon Butter – Tora’s Real Food
- Beef Tongue in Tomato Sauce – Basic and Delicious
- Bibim naeng myun (Korean Spicy Cold Noodles) – Kimchi Mom
- Chicken Biryani – Soni’s Food for Thought
- Brown Rice and Black Beans – Mama’s Blissful Bites
- Bacon Recipes for Dad – Momma Cuisine
- Curry Fish with Mixed Vegetables – My Trials in the Kitchen
- Roast Beef Roll Ups – The Daily Dish Recipes
Dad’s Sweet Tooth:
- Bread and Butter Pudding – Cositas Bonitas
- Tin Roof Sundae Ice Cream – famfriendsfood
- Coconut Cream Pudding – Chocolate Moosey
- Rich & Fluffy Banana Pudding Parfaits – The Meltaways
- Black Forest Cheesecake – Cravings of a Lunatic
- White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies – Pippi’s in the Kitchen Again
- Peach Cobbler Bars – Juanita’s Cocina
- Chocolate Iced Cookie Bars – That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Pudim Molotoff, Portuguese Meringue Pudding – Family Foodie
Wine Pairings for Father’s Day ENOFYLZ
If you are here for the food then I say I like all the food from your site. My most favorite is Afghani Food and all of the information from this kitchen. Thanks for whoever is making these amazing recipe experiments. I appreciate such good postings and I always like what you guy put here for us.
I love biriyani, I need to put this on my meal plan
thanks nice yummy
Soni, I’ve not tried biriyani. The combination of spices sound wonderful however I must admit the perfect Basmati rice is a bit intimidating… someday
I love biriyani and this one looks awesome…I am sure your dad would be proud of you Soni 🙂
Mmm..love biriyani and this healthy version is awesome. I use olive oil in my biriyani and it makes it rich and almost buttery. Thanks for sharing 🙂
My dad doesn’t cook at all and you have such a special memory about his cooking! I can’t help imagining the caramelized onions… It makes a huge difference in flavor! Very nice biryani, Soni!
what a great looking dish. The carmelized onions look great too. I love all the spices in this dish and I bet they brought out the wonderful aromatic smell of basmati rice (which is my fav rice)!
I love biryani but don’t make it very often–you’re right, the rice has to be just perfect. This looks amazing, and I appreciate that it’s a healthier version.
wow! this looks fabulous, and i love the caramelized onions on this!
The biryani looks delicious esp. with those onions.
– Meg’s Delicious Adventures
I love biryani but have never made it. I would love this!
Your recipes are always delicious looking. Can’t wait to try.
I agree with Baker Street completely!!!
My favorite part about biryani is the caramelized onions on top! This looks so good, Soni! 🙂
That does sound amazing but not too time consuming. We make dishes that start the night before! Hard to convince the girls to go to sleep with a breakfast casserole waiting in the fridge.
flavourful biryani and presentation
I haven’t had mutton in YEARS, it’s not a meat I could easily get my hands on around here. This sounds wonderful.
yummy looks amazing!!!!
http://www.fooddiaryproject.blogspot.com 🙂
very delicious,mouthwatering biriyani!!
Ongoing Events at(Erivum Puliyum)-
1. The Kerala Kitchen(June’12)
2.EP Series-Basil OR Cardamom
Yum, love the sound of this with all the different kind of herbs and spices!
I love that this is you and your daddy’s special dish 😀
Too cute!
Cheers
CCU
I’ve been experimenting a lot with Indian cuisine and this is a dish I definitely want to try! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Soni,
I so enjoyed reading about your father. I’m still trying to cook Basmati rice perfectly, and one day I’m sure I’ll get it right. The dish looks delicious–and I really like your blog.
What an interesting method for cooking it (layering it and letting it sort of braise). Sounds excellent!
You have shown that cooking this healthy chicken biryani is an art as I can from the pics. I seldom cook briyani with chicken added inside because we prefer the plain briyani and than the chicken is served as a separate dish.
Lovely and looks really nice Soni.
WOW, Soni! This looks amazing! I can practically smell it through my computer screen! YUM!
What great memories associated with this yummy dish! It sounds divine, Soni~
This sounds fabulous and I can’t wait to try it! Love the story about your Dad, too 🙂
What a wonderful dish! The spices in it are some of my favorites. Thanks for sharing this today.