Chicken Biryani

Name: South Indian Chicken Biryani (Ramzan Recipe)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups rice, soaked in water for half an hour; 4 medium onions, chopped; 2 tomatoes, chopped; Few sprigs green coriander, chopped for garnishing; Barista (golden fried onion), for garnishing; Salt, according to taste; Oil, as needed; 1 tbsp ghee (for boiling rice); 2 lbs chicken; 2 cups yogurt; 2 tsp turmeric powder; 2 tbsp red chilli powder; 2 tbsp garam masala powder; 3 tbsp ginger garlic paste; 2 tsp lemon juice; 2 tbsp potato, cut into pieces; 1 tsp cumin seeds; 2 tsp coriander powder; 1 tbsp whole garam masala (a mix of bay leaf, cinnamon, black pepper, green cardamom, black cardamom); 2 tbsp butter

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This South Indian chicken biryani features marinated chicken layered with fragrant basmati rice and golden fried onions for a non-greasy, aromatic dish traditionally prepared during Ramzan season.

🌍Indian 🏷️Ramzan 🏷️Ramadan 🏷️Muslim biryani 🏷️Chicken biryani South indian

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🏷️Biryani

Total

50 min

Servings

Recipe Source

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From Yummy Food Recipes

Ingredients

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2 1/2 cups rice, soaked in water for half an hour
4 medium onions, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
Few sprigs green coriander, chopped for garnishing
Barista (golden fried onion), for garnishing
Salt, according to taste
Oil, as needed
1 tbsp ghee (for boiling rice)
2 lbs chicken
2 cups yogurt
2 tsp turmeric powder
2 tbsp red chilli powder
2 tbsp garam masala powder
3 tbsp ginger garlic paste
2 tsp lemon juice
2 tbsp potato, cut into pieces
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp coriander powder
1 tbsp whole garam masala (a mix of bay leaf, cinnamon, black pepper, green cardamom, black cardamom)
2 tbsp butter

20 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Combine chicken, yogurt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, garam masala powder, ginger garlic paste, lemon juice, potato, cumin seeds, coriander powder, whole garam masala, and butter in a bowl. Marinate for 3-4 hours and refrigerate.
2
Heat oil in a vessel. Add chopped onions and cook until golden brown.
3
Add chopped tomatoes and fry until the oil separates.
4
Add the marinated chicken and cook through.
5
In a separate vessel, bring water to a boil. Add required salt and 1 tbsp ghee.
6
Add the soaked rice to the boiling water and cook until done. Drain all the water.
7
In a large vessel or container, arrange the biryani by placing a layer of cooked rice at the bottom.
8
Add some barista (golden fried onions) over the rice layer.
9
Add a layer of cooked chicken over the barista.
10
Top with another layer of cooked rice.
11
Garnish with barista and chopped green coriander leaves.
12
Serve hot with cucumber raita and a squeeze of lemon.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Marinate chicken for the full 3-4 hours to allow spices to penetrate deeply for maximum flavor.
Cook onions until they turn golden brown before adding tomatoes to build a flavorful base without excess grease.
Layer rice and chicken carefully when assembling the biryani—start and end with a rice layer to seal in moisture and aroma.
Drain all water from the cooked rice before layering to prevent a soggy biryani; rice should be cooked until tender but not mushy.

Substitutions

Yogurt → Greek yogurt (same amount, slightly tangier result)
Ghee → butter or additional oil (same quantity, slightly less rich flavor)
Basmati rice → jasmine rice (similar fragrance and texture, though not traditional)
Barista → thinly sliced raw onions fried until golden in oil (homemade version)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftover biryani in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a covered vessel over low heat with a splash of water to restore moisture.

Equipment

large vessel or container for layering and serving · separate vessel for boiling rice

Common Questions

How long should I marinate the chicken?

Marinate the chicken in yogurt and spices for 3-4 hours in the refrigerator for best flavor absorption.

What is barista and where do I find it?

Barista is golden fried onions available in Indian grocery stores, specialty spice aisles, or online. You can also fry thinly sliced onions until crispy and golden to make your own.