Chicken Biryani
Briyani or biryani, (I’m never sure) can be very complex to make but here is my cheats version which does not involve layering and baking in the oven. Its really great and simple to prepare, just make sure you have all of the spices.
What you need
300g basmati rice
1kg chicken pieces
2 medium onions sliced finely
2 tablespoons garam masala
1 tablespoon minced garlic
6-8cm piece ginger grated finely
3 tablespoons red chili powder
1 tablespoon coriander powder
2 teaspoons Turmeric
1 bay leaf
2 tomatoes diced
1 small tub plain yogurt
125ml milk
2 tablespoons butter
oil for frying
handful of chopped mint
The process
Wash the rice as per pack instructions (usually until water runs clear)
Boil rice in water with the bay leaf until 1/2 cooked, drain and set aside.
In a pan with some oil add the onions and cook for a minute or so. Add the garlic, ginger, garam masala powder, chili powder, coriander powder and turmeric. Stir to combine (it will seem dry but bear with it) for about 1 minutes. Add the tomatoes and combine well, covering the tomatoes with the mixture and stir for 2-3 minutes.
Add the chicken pieces, yogurt and milk and allow to simmer for about 15 minutes on a low to medium heat until the chicken is almost cooked through.
Add the rice, mix it all together, then place a lid or cover with tin foil and allow to cook on a low heat for a further 10-15 minutes.
The rice should be cooked through and the chicken tender.
To make it real special, fry off some more sliced onions in butter until soft and golden, sprinkle with chopped mint leaves and mix it in at the end.
OhhHHHhhHH yEaHHH!!
Oh I just love it when the taste of great food does that… this is now officially a pg rated cooking blog, delicious days aisha 🙂
We consider this a Cape dish and we make it differently with lentils,sliced boiled eggs and diced potato. Who is to say which is correct but it is simply a matter of taste…….
Hi there, that sounds quite different and a really unique Cape Malay style recipe, would love it if you could post a recipe… Cheers for now G
Yummy, I will be rying this simple dish this week. Thank you Graham.
Enjoy it Kim, it’s a real winner, cheers for now G
I tried out this recipe and its a far cry from the traditional Natal Indian breyani.It doesnt have the elachi,star aniseed and somph in it however its a brilliant variation because it has flavour all the way through and a slight kick to it.Best of all very simple.If anyone is interested I have a breyani recipe that doesnt use a drop of oil
Hi Alvin, thanks so much for your input and I for one would certainly love to try your no oil breyani recipe, please post it.. Thanks again and happy days, G
Hi Alvin
I also tried out this recipe and I found it delicious. Its more up my ally as the traditional Natal Indian breyani is just too hot for me. So for the mild lovers of breyani this is ideal. Lots of flavour.
Regards
Erika
Hi Alvin. A biryani recipe without a drop of oil sounds really really great. Please you have to let me know how this is done. Thank you so much.
Hi Graham,
thanks for this delicious, quick meal. I changed the method slightly. I marinated the chicken in the yogurt and spices for a couple hours beforehand. Instead of adding mint, I threw in fresh coriander. I made tomato sambals with chopped fresh mint and a small amount of chopped fresh green chillie, when serving. You are my hero Graham.
(I have a problem with what it’s doing to my waist, BUT, you only live once, so let it be a fabulous one)
Hi again, m m m the youghurt will soften up the chicken as well, I am going to do that with my next one as well. Thanks for sharing. It’s winter time, we can all pack on a few extra kilo’s and as you say “you only live once” have a delicious day G
You never disappoint G, so don’t start now :). I’m about to serve this to the family, can’t wait…plus our house is still spiced up (all the coughing…can’t help but laugh), shame. Thank you thank you thank you, sir, for all the recipes.
Hi Hloni, I hope you all enjoyed.. is certainly a favourite of mine 🙂 Lekker day G
You do not perhaps have a slow cooker recipe for chicken-briyani please?
Regards
Erika
I havn’t I’m afraid Erica, but will look our for one. Have a lekker weekend G
Thank you and you too.
Keep cooking
E
Hey G. Im so excited to try out your recipies. Just discovered them today. Wanted to know what do i do with the mint exactly:)
Hi Ester, you add the mint right at the end and just mix it through, I like to add some extra fried onions with the mint, seems to really add a nice freshness to the biryani. Cheers for now G
Hi. Just wanted to say, thanks for all these wonderful and easy recipes. I’m so happy I stumbled upon it. I will share this with many of my friends.
Thanks again.
Antoinette
You are so welcome Antoinette, glad you are enjoying. G
Thanks Kathy, it is a yummy one… I’ll give the fresh a try next time.
I made this dish for dinner last night, so easy so quick
I did not have coriander power so I used fresh as well as a few curry leaves. delish delish delish