Name: Authentic Chicken Biryani Delight
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 3
Cuisine: Indain
Ingredients: For the Chicken Marinade:; 1 ½ lbs (700g) chicken, bone-in, cut into pieces; 1 cup plain yogurt; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste; 1 teaspoon turmeric powder; 2 teaspoons red chili powder; 1 teaspoon garam masala; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; ½ teaspoon ground cumin; ½ teaspoon black pepper; Salt to taste; 2 tablespoons cooking oil; For the Rice:; 2 cups basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes; 6 cups water; 2-3 bay leaves; 4-5 cloves; 2-3 green cardamom pods; 1-inch cinnamon stick; 1 teaspoon salt; For the Biryani Layers:; 2 tablespoons ghee or butter; 1 large onion, thinly sliced; 1 large tomato, chopped; ¼ cup chopped cilantro (coriander leaves); ¼ cup chopped mint leaves; 1 teaspoon saffron strands soaked in 2 tablespoons warm milk (optional); 2 tablespoons fried onions (for garnish)

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

In a large bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, coriander, cumin, black pepper, and salt.
Add chicken pieces to the marinade, coat well, and let it rest for at least 1 hour (overnight for best results).

Step 2: Prepare the Rice

In a large pot, bring 6 cups of water to a boil.
Add bay leaves, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, and salt.
Add soaked rice and cook until it's 70% cooked (grains should still be firm). Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee or butter in a large pan.
Add sliced onions and sauté until golden brown. Remove half for garnishing.
Add chopped tomatoes and cook until soft.
Add the marinated chicken and cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is tender.

Step 4: Assemble the Biryani

In a heavy-bottomed pot, layer half of the cooked rice over the chicken mixture.
Sprinkle some cilantro, mint, fried onions, and saffron milk over the rice.
Add the remaining rice as the final layer and top with more cilantro, mint, fried onions, and saffron milk.
Cover with a tight lid and cook on low heat (Dum cooking) for 20-25 minutes to let the flavors blend.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Gently fluff the biryani with a fork to mix the layers slightly.
Serve hot with raita (yogurt sauce) and salad.

Authentic Chicken Biryani Delight