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    TaraTeaspoon » Course » Main Dish » Chicken and Poultry

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    Published: by

    Indian Biryani with Chicken

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Jump to Comments
    Easy Chicken Biryani Pin
    Chicken Biryani easy dinner casserole from Tara Teaspoon
    Chicken Biryani

    Chicken biryani is a delicious Indian casserole that calls for a paste of spices, herbs and chilies. I made it easy by using a prepared curry paste and other fresh ingredients.


    biryani with chicken and peas in pan

    We all have our favorite comfort foods. In this country, most people will list something cheesy, chocolatey, or baked as their comfort food.

    At the top of my list are my chocolate chip cookies. You might say mac and cheese or even pancakes.

    In parts of India, folks grew up with biryani as one of those dishes at the top of the comfort-food list! I have to say, it's pretty darn delicious, and comforting.

    A pleasant mix of spices, just the right amount of veggies, tasty chicken, and rice can't go wrong.

    Jump to:
    • What Is Biryani?
    • Ingredients in the Recipe
    • How to Make Biryani
    • Tips for Making Chicken Biryani
    • Indian Chicken Biryani

    What Is Biryani?

    The word "biryani" comes from the Persian word "birian," which means "fried before cooking." I am down with anything fried!

    In general, Indian biryani is a dish that's made with long-grain rice (like basmati) that's flavored with spices and cooked on the stovetop until tender. Biryani can be made with chicken, lamb, fish, and / or vegetables.

    There are many kinds of Indian biryani, so the boneless chicken biryani recipe I'm sharing with you today is simply my take on the classic Indian dish!

    Indian rice casserole in pan

    Ingredients in the Recipe

    The base of this easy biryani recipe is basmati rice that's been soaked in water for about 10 minutes prior to being added to the pot.

    To the rice, you'll add an onion, cubed chicken breasts, raisins, broth, frozen peas, slivered almonds, and fresh cilantro.

    The biryani spices I used include: ground cardamom, ground cinnamon, ground turmeric, and a bay leaf. I also used my favorite biryani curry paste.


    Anolon 5 quart braiser image on white

    How to Make Biryani

    You simply sauté (or fry) the onions, spices and chicken before adding any liquid. This softens the onions, mellows the spices and gives the chicken a head start on cooking. 

    Other than that you cover and simmer. So it's very hands-off once you do your initial chopping and sautéing.

    Make it in a casserole braiser like this gorgeous one from Anolon, or a covered Dutch oven on the stovetop.

    I also love my turquoise blue braiser from Le Creuset  simply because it's turquoise.

    Indian biryani with chicken close up

    Why Soak the Basmati Rice Before Using It?

    I always use a long grain rice like basmati or jasmine for my Indian dishes. They are both long grain, aromatic rices.

    And by aromatic, I mean they smell lovely! Really, if you take a whiff of uncooked jasmine rice it smells like fresh popcorn!

    While they are both long grain rices, jasmine rice is a little shorter and fatter than basmati; but both are miles longer than the typical American long grain rice.

    Basmati rice is so long that it needs to be soaked before cooking. The length makes it quite fragile. Soaking allows the grains to absorb water and soften the starches so that it cooks evenly, and doesn't break while it's bumping around in the simmering water.

    How to Use Curry Paste

    Many Indian dishes start with a combination of spices called a curry. Each household has their own proportional blend for specific meals.

    Spice companies have come up with curry powders and curry pastes that resemble these blends and that is what we have become used to tasting.

    A curry paste usually includes spices plus onions, peppers, garlic or other aromatic veggies, blended into what we call a paste. My Curry Chicken Drumsticks with Chickpeas is a super tasty dinner where I made my own curry paste.

    You typically cook the curry paste with your vegetables and meat or add it to a sauce and let the flavors cook and mix together.

    For the chicken biryani, I did just that, adding a prepared curry paste to the pan along with the chicken. Using a prepared curry paste saves me from grinding peppers or compiling twenty different spices!

    I typically grab Patak's brand (found in most grocery stores) for my chicken biryani. But you can use any mild to medium Indian curry paste.

    Tips for Making Chicken Biryani

    • Cut the chicken into larger pieces. If you cut them too small, they'll overcook as they simmer alongside the rice and veggies.
    • I prefer using basmati rice to make this Indian biryani recipe, but jasmine rice will work in a pinch.
    • Be sure to soak the rice prior to making this recipe. Soaking the rice prevents it from breaking apart as it cooks.

    More International Chicken Recipes

    • Mexican Chicken Meatballs with Chipotle and Adobo
    • Fattoush Salad with Lemon Chicken
    • Authentic Cashew Chicken Recipe
    • Moroccan Chicken Stew with Couscous
    • Korean BBQ Chicken Skewers
    Indian biryani with chicken and peas

    Indian Chicken Biryani

    Tara Teaspoon
    Chicken Biryani is a delicious Indian casserole that calls for a paste of spices, herbs and chilies. Add peas and almonds to this rice dish.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 5 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 6 Servings
    Calories 433 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1½ cups basmati rice
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 medium onion sliced root to tip
    • 1 bay leaf
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
    • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¾ teaspoon turmeric
    • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 4 (about 1¾ pounds) boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into large pieces
    • 5 tablespoons biryani curry paste or mild curry paste
    • ½ cup raisins or currants
    • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
    • ¾ cup frozen peas thawed
    • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
    • ½ cup sliced almonds toasted

    Instructions
     

    • Soak rice in warm water for 10 min, then rinse in cold water until the water runs clear; drain well in a fine sieve.
    • Heat butter in a 4- to 5-quart casserole or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the onion and bay leaf; cook until soft, about 10 min.
    • Stir in the cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, salt, chicken, and curry paste and cook until aromatic, about 2 min. Stir in rice, raisins and broth. Cover, increase heat and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until chicken is done, 15 to 18 min. Uncover and cook until liquid is gone, about 5 min. Turn off heat, replace lid and let stand for 10 min.
    • Gently stir in the peas and half the cilantro. Top with the rest of the cilantro and almonds when serving.

    Notes

    This classic multi-spice Indian dish is often served on holidays. My simplified version makes a great weeknight meal.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 433kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 25gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 422mgPotassium: 681mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2294IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 2mg
    Want to watch videos to show you how to cook?Check out our Youtube and try this recipe and more.

    Be sure to check out these other great international recipes from some of my fellow food bloggers.

    China -Chicken Lo Mein
    India - Orange Honey Lassi
    Korea -Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi)
    Sweden -Swedish Chocolate Balls

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    Tara in kitchen making salad

    About Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television & advertising. Order my new cookbook & stick around for amazing things to eat.

    Find out more!

    Recipe by Tara Teaspoon. Photographs by Hallie Burton. Originally published in LHJ Sept 2010

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    Filed Under: Chicken and Poultry, Indian, One Dish Meals Tagged With: biryani, casserole, chicken, easy dinner, food blogger olympics, food blogger winter games, Indian, olympics, one dish meal, one pan meal, rice

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jordan says

      February 12, 2018 at 12:38 pm

      Biryani is one of my favorite dishes to order when we get Indian. I've never tried making it at home! Going to give it a shot next week!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 13, 2018 at 10:18 am

        Me too! I have loved making it at home because I can add more veggies or flavor.

        Reply
    2. Kiki Johnson says

      February 12, 2018 at 1:02 pm

      I love a good biryani and I often struggle to get the rice nice and fluffy when making it at home! Yours looks AMAZING! I should read through your technique a couple of times! Thanks for sharing

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 13, 2018 at 10:19 am

        Yes sometimes it can be soggy. For sure rinse and let that rice soak for just a minute if you are using basmati. Then you don't have to have as much liquid to cook it through.

        Reply
    3. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says

      February 12, 2018 at 10:23 pm

      This sounds delicious. We enjoy Indian food. The spices are so aromatic and warming. What a great dinner any night of the week.

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 13, 2018 at 10:19 am

        It's seriously good! And a fun flavor change from the normal weeknight dinner!

        Reply
    4. Jolina says

      February 13, 2018 at 10:46 pm

      I like how Indian food has different levels and complexities of flavours. So good! We very rarely try to make it at home (just coz we're not very good at it lol) but we'd love to make this. Looks like just what we need to make us feel better about this awful winter we've been having.

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 14, 2018 at 12:56 pm

        Oh winter is a drag! Yes I hope this brightens your day. It's so much less involved not having to make your own curry paste. Enjoy!

        Reply
    5. Patti @Patty Cake's Pantry says

      February 14, 2018 at 11:23 am

      I've never had Chicken Biryani, but I can imagine all of these flavors combined into one delicious dish. I can't wait to try this recipe, and I'm so glad that you clearly educated me that I can, hopefully, find a commercial curry paste available in the store.

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 14, 2018 at 12:54 pm

        I think you'll love it Patti. Most grocery stores will carry various curry pastes. The one I mentioned from Pataks is quite accessible!

        Reply
    6. Elaine @ Dishes Delish says

      February 14, 2018 at 1:49 pm

      This chicken Biryani looks so delicious! I love the different types of curry and love discovering new dishes. This is a new dish for me but I'm hoping to make it be on my list of comfort foods! I can't wait to try it!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 24, 2018 at 10:52 am

        Ah thanks! I think you'll love it!

        Reply
    7. Elena says

      February 15, 2018 at 5:30 am

      I love Indian food and this dish looks so delicious! Would love to try a vegetarian version of this 😉

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 24, 2018 at 10:52 am

        I think a veggie version would be great! I love when people riff on my recipes too! Good idea

        Reply
    8. Jenni LeBaron says

      February 17, 2018 at 7:01 pm

      This looks so tasty and I bet it is incredibly fragrant. What a wonderful blend of spices!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 24, 2018 at 10:51 am

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    9. Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says

      February 18, 2018 at 1:47 pm

      Lots of great information you've included here. We do like our spicy food -- it's our favorite. Seems to be more satisfying in the long run. This is a great recipe filled with all the herbs and spices we enjoy. It's a keeper.

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 24, 2018 at 10:51 am

        Oh I hope it becomes a family favorite!

        Reply
    10. Leslie Haasch says

      February 18, 2018 at 5:51 pm

      I never knew WHY I was soaking the rice, just that I had to. Thank you for telling me! 🙂

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 24, 2018 at 10:51 am

        Love it! I do like little tidbits of knowledge. Now you'll know for other recipes!

        Reply
    11. Stacey says

      February 19, 2018 at 12:02 am

      I seriously adore Indian foods, and yours looks and sounds amazing!!!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 24, 2018 at 10:50 am

        I do too! This one will be a favorite!

        Reply
    12. Amy Nash says

      February 19, 2018 at 1:06 pm

      I love, love, love Indian food and especially biryani but it's a dish that I have never made at home before. This is one I'm definitely going to have to try soon!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 24, 2018 at 10:50 am

        Me too! I think you'll like this one!

        Reply
    13. Veronika says

      February 19, 2018 at 7:42 pm

      This dish looks so delicious! I never had Biryani before but definitely want to try)

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 24, 2018 at 10:49 am

        This is a great basic recipe and super flavorful!

        Reply
    14. Mary Bench says

      May 23, 2019 at 12:29 pm

      Fantastic flavor combination!

      Reply
    15. dosa says

      February 06, 2020 at 2:48 pm

      did someone say simple 🙂 In India its a 2 hour cook time/ work time .

      Reply
    16. Natalie says

      June 02, 2020 at 11:17 am

      I grew up in high school with my best friend's mom making homemade biryani! It's always been one of my favorites and I can't wait to try this next time I'm craving Indian cuisine.

      Reply

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