06/08/2026
this restaurant style chicken biryani is the absolute ultimate comfort food 😠the rice is perfectly fluffy and fragrant, the chicken is so incredibly tender, and those caramelized fried onions on top make it perfect. it is a complete showstopper dinner
here is everything you need:
for the chicken marinade:
1.1 lbs chicken pieces (bone-in gives the best flavor!)
1/2 cup plain yogurt (fresh and not sour)
1 tbsp lemon juice
3/4 tbsp grated ginger
3/4 tbsp pressed garlic
1 green chili, slit
1 1/2 tbsp oil
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 to 3/4 tbsp kashmiri red chili powder
1 1/4 tbsp biryani masala or garam masala
1/2 tbsp coriander powder
2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, chopped
2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, chopped
for cooking the rice:
6 cups water
1 1/2 cups premium aged basmati rice (rinsed and soaked for 15 mins)
1/2 tbsp oil
1/2 tbsp sea salt
whole spices: 4 cardamoms, 4 cloves, 1 bay leaf, 2 inch cinnamon, 1 star anise
for the gorgeous layers:
2 cups sliced onions (fried until golden brown)
1 pinch saffron strands soaked in 2 tbsp hot milk + 2 tbsp hot water
1 1/2 tbsp melted ghee
extra mint and coriander leaves
here is how to make it:
first mix all your marinade ingredients together in a large bowl. toss in the chicken pieces, make sure they are totally coated, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or overnight in the fridge if you can!).
in a heavy bottom pot or dutch oven, heat up your oil and fry the sliced onions until they are perfectly golden brown. take them out and set them on a plate to crisp up.
in that same pot with the leftover onion oil, add the marinated chicken and saute for about 4 to 5 minutes on medium heat. stir in most of your fried onions (save 2 tablespoons for later!). pour in 1/4 cup of hot water, cover, and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until the chicken is almost cooked through and the gravy is nice and thick. turn off the heat.
while the chicken cooks, bring 6 cups of water to a rolling boil in a separate pot with all your whole spices. add the oil, salt, and your soaked rice. cook on high heat for exactly 5 minutes until the rice is 90% cooked (it should still have a slight bite to it). drain it immediately.
now for the layering magic! spread the chicken evenly at the bottom of your pot. scatter a tablespoon of your fried onions over it, then layer all of that hot, steaming rice right on top.
sprinkle a pinch of biryani masala, your chopped mint and coriander, the melted ghee, the beautiful yellow saffron milk, and the rest of your crispy fried onions.
cover the pot tightly with foil or a tight lid to trap all that steam. cook on medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes, then drop the heat to low and let it dum cook for another 18 to 20 minutes.
let it rest for 10 minutes before opening. use a large paddle to scoop deep from the bottom so you get the perfect mix of aromatic rice and juicy chicken in every single scoop. absolutely insane flavor.