Description
This Chicken Tikka Biryani recipe combines the flavors of tender chicken tikka with fragrant spiced rice, creating a deliciously aromatic and satisfying dish that is perfect for special occasions or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Tikka:
- 1 pound boneless chicken thighs or breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon oil
For the Biryani Rice:
- 1½ cups basmati rice (rinsed and soaked for 20 minutes)
- 3 cups water
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 whole cloves
- 4 green cardamom pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
- 1 large onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ teaspoon saffron threads soaked in ¼ cup warm milk (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup chopped fresh mint
For the Biryani Assembly:
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and oil. Add chicken pieces and coat well. Marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Cook the Rice: Boil water with salt, bay leaf, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon. Add soaked rice and cook until 80% done. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Cook marinated chicken until fully cooked and slightly charred. Set aside.
- Caramelize Onions: In a pot, heat ghee/oil. Cook onions until golden and caramelized. Remove half for topping.
- Layer the Biryani: Alternate layers of rice, chicken, cilantro, and mint. Drizzle saffron milk over the top. Cover and cook on low heat for 15–20 minutes.
- Serve: Fluff before serving and top with caramelized onions.
Notes
- Serve with raita or cucumber yogurt sauce.
- For extra richness, add butter or ghee before the final steam.
- This dish can also be baked in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 20 minutes if preferred.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
