{"id":11632,"date":"2026-10-02T18:12:49","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T18:12:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bhiggs.x10hosting.com\/foodie\/?p=11632"},"modified":"2026-10-02T18:12:56","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T18:12:56","slug":"biryani-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bhiggs.x10hosting.com\/foodie\/biryani-video\/","title":{"rendered":"Biryani [Video]"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>
\n\t
\"\"<\/div>\n\t
<\/div>\n\t<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Print Recipe<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n<\/div>\n

<\/span>Biryani [Video]<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n
Biryani is a celebration of all that is great about Indian food \u2013 the heady aromas, the vibrant colours, the fluffy rice and those addictive curry flavours. Make this Chicken Biryani with your protein of choice \u2013 or try a vegetable biryani!<\/span>
<\/div>You\u2019ll find variations of Biryani all across the Indian subcontinent, from Pakistan to Bangladesh, Afghanistan to India.\u00a0There are\u00a02 main types<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 one where the protein and\/or vegetables are cooked mixed throughout the rice, and the other version known as\u00a0Hyderabad-style<\/strong>\u00a0biryani in India where meat and rice are layered and cook in a sealed pot over fire. The latter is the style of biryani I\u2019m sharing today.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Prep Time<\/span>20 minutes<\/span><\/span> mins<\/span><\/span><\/div>
Cook Time<\/span>1 hour<\/span><\/span> hr<\/span><\/span><\/div>
Total Time<\/span>1 hour<\/span><\/span> hr<\/span> 20 minutes<\/span><\/span> mins<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n\n
Servings: <\/span>8<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Author: <\/span>Nagi Maehashi – Recipe Tin Eats<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/span>Ingredients<\/span><\/h3>
  • 750<\/span> g (1\u00bd lb)<\/span> chicken thighs , skin on, bone in<\/span> halved along bone (Note 1)<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>

    <\/span>Marinade:<\/span><\/h4>
    • \u2154<\/span> cup (150ml)<\/span> yoghurt , plain<\/span><\/li>
    • \u00bd<\/span> cup (125ml)<\/span> water<\/span><\/li>
    • 2<\/span> Tbsp<\/span> vegetable oil<\/span> or other plain oil<\/span><\/li>
    • 6<\/span> cloves<\/span> garlic<\/span> minced<\/span><\/li>
    • 2<\/span> tsp<\/span> finely grated fresh ginger<\/span><\/li>
    • \u215b<\/span> tsp<\/span> ground turmeric<\/span><\/li>
    • \u00bc<\/span> tsp<\/span> cinnamon<\/span><\/li>
    • \u00bd<\/span> tsp<\/span> cayenne<\/span> adjust spiciness to taste<\/span><\/li>
    • \u00bd<\/span> tsp<\/span> ground cardamom<\/span><\/li>
    • 2<\/span> tsp<\/span> garam marsala<\/span> (Note 2)<\/span><\/li>
    • 2<\/span> tsp<\/span> coriander<\/span><\/li>
    • 1<\/span> Tbsp<\/span> cumin<\/span><\/li>
    • 2<\/span> Tbsp<\/span> paprika<\/span> sweet \/ ordinary (not smoked)<\/span><\/li>
    • 1\u00be<\/span> tsp<\/span> salt<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>

      <\/span>Par Boiled Rice:<\/span><\/h4>
      • 2<\/span> Tbsp<\/span> salt<\/span><\/li>
      • 10<\/span> cloves<\/span><\/li>
      • 5<\/span> dried bay leaves<\/span><\/li>
      • 1<\/span> star anise<\/span><\/li>
      • 6<\/span> green cardamon pods<\/span><\/li>
      • 2\u00bc<\/span> cups (450g)<\/span> uncooked basmati rice <\/span> (Note 3)<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>

        <\/span>Crispy Onions (Note 4):<\/span><\/h4>
        • 2<\/span> medium <\/span> onions<\/span> yellow, brown , halved and finely sliced<\/span><\/li>
        • 1<\/span> cup (250ml)<\/span> oil<\/span> for frying<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>

          <\/span>Saffron:<\/span><\/h4>
          • 1<\/span> tsp<\/span> saffron threads<\/span> loosely packed (Note 5)<\/span><\/li>
          • 2<\/span> Tbsp<\/span> warm water<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>

            <\/span>Biryani:<\/span><\/h4>
            • 1<\/span> cup<\/span> coriander \/ cilantro<\/span> chopped<\/span><\/li>
            • \u00bc<\/span> cup (60g)<\/span> ghee or unsalted butter<\/span> melted (Note 6)<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>

              <\/span>Garnish:<\/span><\/h4>
              • Crispy onions<\/span> above<\/span><\/li>
              • Chopped coriander \/ cilantro<\/span><\/li>
              • Yoghurt<\/span> (Note 7)<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n

                <\/span>Instructions<\/span><\/h3>
                • Mix Marinade in a large pot (about 26cm \/ 11\u2033 diameter). Add chicken and coat well. Marinade 20 minutes to overnight.<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>

                  <\/span>Par Boiled Rice:<\/span><\/h4>
                  • Bring 3 litres \/ 3 quarts water to the boil, add salt and spices.<\/div><\/li>
                  • Add rice, bring back up to the boil then cook for 4 minutes, or until rice is just cooked still a bit firm in the middle. Rice will taste salty at this stage, disappears in next stage of cooking.<\/div><\/li>
                  • Drain immediately. Set aside. (Note 10 re: leaving whole spices in)<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>

                    <\/span>Crispy Onions:<\/span><\/h4>
                    • Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Cook onion, in batches, for 3 to 4 minutes, until golden brown. Don\u2019t burn \u2013 they become bitter.<\/div><\/li>
                    • Remove onto paper towel lined plate. Repeat with remaining onion.<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>

                      <\/span>Saffron:<\/span><\/h4>
                      • Place in a bowl, leave for 10 minutes+.<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>

                        <\/span>Biryani:<\/span><\/h4>
                        • Place pot with chicken in it onto a stove over medium heat. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.<\/div><\/li>
                        • Remove lid. Cook for 5 minutes, turning chicken twice.<\/div><\/li>
                        • Remove from heat.<\/div><\/li>
                        • Turn chicken so skin side is down \u2013 it should cover most of the base of the pot.<\/div><\/li>
                        • Scatter over half the onion then half the coriander.<\/div><\/li>
                        • Top with all the rice. Gently pat down and flatten surface.<\/div><\/li>
                        • Drizzle saffron across rice surface in random pattern, then drizzle over ghee.<\/div><\/li>
                        • Place lid on. Return to stove over medium heat.<\/div><\/li>
                        • As soon as you see steam, turn down to low then cook for 25 minutes.<\/div><\/li>
                        • Remove from stove, rest with lid on for 10 minutes.<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>

                          <\/span>To Serve:<\/span><\/h4>
                          • Aim to serve it so you get nice patches of yellow rice, white rice, the curry stained rice + chicken (rather than all mixed up). To do this, use a large spoon and dig deep into the pot, and try to scoop up as much as you can in one scoop.<\/div><\/li>
                          • Turn out into bowl \u2013 or onto platter. Garnish with remaining onion and coriander with yoghurt on the side (see Note 7 for Minted Yoghurt)<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n
                            <\/div>\n

                            <\/span>Notes<\/span><\/h3>

                            <\/span>Recipe Notes:<\/span><\/h3>\n
                            1. Cut the chicken along the bone, keeping the bone in. So one half will have no bone, the other will have the bone.
                            Skin on bone in thighs is the safest to use (forms a protection barrier on base) and yields juicy chicken. Even if you overcook, worst case is crispy chicken skin which protects the flesh and rice. Next best is boneless chicken thighs.
                            I take no responsibility for outcome if breast is used! But here is how I would do it: use whole breast, remove chicken from marinade, simmer marinade on low until it\u2019s almost like a paste. Squidge raw breast back in the \u201cpaste\u201d, then follow recipe starting with the onion and coriander layers. This will reduce the time the breast is cooking so keep it as juicy as possible.<\/div>\n
                            2.\u00a0Garam Masala<\/strong> is an Indian spice mix and you\u2019ll find it in the spices aisle at every day supermarkets.<\/div>\n
                            3. Can be substituted with jasmine or long grain rice but be aware that the fragrance will be slightly different. Still super tasty!<\/div>\n
                            4. For an easy sub, use\u00a0store bought crispy fried shallots<\/strong> or onions. The shallots are found in the Asian section of every day supermarkets and Asian stores (cheaper!). Get plenty! Use some in the biryani and lots for garnish!<\/div>\n
                            5.\u00a0Saffron<\/strong> brings a unique flavour to the rice as well as the vibrant yellow colour. But it\u2019s not cheap! If you\u2019re budget doesn\u2019t extend to saffron threads, use the economical saffron powder which is not pure saffron. Mix 1\/2 tsp powder with the water and proceed with recipe.<\/div>\n
                            6. Ghee<\/strong> is clarified butter. You\u2019ll find it in the Indian section of some supermarkets, or Asian stores. Otherwise, just use butter \u2013 not a deal killer here!<\/div>\n
                            7. Plain yoghurt is fine. Here\u2019s a quick\u00a0Raita<\/strong>\u00a0(Minted Yoghur<\/strong>t, pictured & in video): Mix 1 1\/2 cups plain yoghurt with 1\/3 cup finely chopped mint leaves with a good pinch of salt and a touch of water to loosen consistency if needed.<\/div>\n
                            8.\u00a0Vegetable Biryani<\/strong> \u2013 Made it and loved it! Choose any vegetables you like. Suggestions: Capsicum, carrots, cauliflower, mushrooms, potato, zucchini, peas. Chop into pieces that will roughly be done at the same time when stewed, so that you have about 8 cups in total. Additionally, slice one onion.<\/div>\n
                            Mix the marinade ingredients in a separate bowl, with the following changes: 3\/4 cup of yoghurt; 300ml \/1 1\/4 cups water ; 1 tbsp garam marsala; 1 tbsp ground coriander; do not include vegetable oil in the marinade. Use all other spices per recipe.<\/div>\n
                            Saut\u00e9 the onion in 4 tbsp of vegetable or coconut oil. When starting to colour, add vegetables (except peas, if using) and marinade. Bring to a simmer and stew the vegetables until they are 50% cooked (softened but still firm), remove from heat. Stir in the frozen peas, if using. Continue with the remaining rice cooking, assembly and cooking steps as per main recipe.<\/div>\n
                            9.\u00a0Other proteins:<\/strong> Goat, lamb, beef, rabbit. Cut so the meat is jam packed and covers the base of the pot. Add water to marinade so meat is mostly covered, place lid on an simmer on medium low for as long as required so it\u2019s pretty tender. It might take 1 hour or longer, depending on what you use. When tender, remove lid and let the sauce reduce down to about 1 to 1 1\/2 cups. Then proceed with recipe.<\/div>\n
                            10.\u00a0GENERAL COMMENTS:<\/strong><\/div>\n
                            * Salt \u2013 yes you really need 2 tbsp salt to par boil the rice. The rice will taste salty at this stage but the salt comes out of the rice during the second stage of cooking. Trust me, you need that much salt in the water!<\/div>\n
                            * Spiciness is mainly from cayenne, a bit from garam masala. So adjust to taste.<\/div>\n
                            * Fresh spices \u2013 use fresh spices, not ones that have been sitting around in your pantry for years!<\/div>\n
                            * Whole spices \u2013 the whole spices are typically left in the rice. They soften when cooked so to me it\u2019s not a big deal, I\u2019ve never found it off-putting. If you\u2019re really concerned, either pick them out just before layering in the pot or wrap the spices in a small muslin or cheesecloth.<\/div>\n
                            \u00a0<\/div>\n
                            11.\u00a0Storage<\/strong> \u2013 Leftovers keep well for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Reheat in microwave. As rice is not quite as moist with leftovers, best to serve with yoghurt (even plain is fine). Even freezing should be fine, haven\u2019t tried it but rice and curry both freeze great so I see no reason why this wouldn\u2019t freeze well.<\/div>\n
                            Make Ahead<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 These are the things that can be done ahead: Par Boil the rice up up to 24 hours ahead of using. Marinate the chicken and cook it per recipe up to the point before rice covers it up to 2 days ahead. OR leave the marinated chicken in the freezer for up to 48 hours. Make saffron water and onion. Then on the day of, assemble the biryani layers and cook per recipe!<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

                            <\/span>Video<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                            \n