Chicken Biryani / Easy Chicken Biryani (Using Yogurt/Curd)

The only one recipe which is loved by all ages - Biryani. My Kids started liking it too early, by 18 months itself both like biryani/pulao than the paruppu sadham or other less spicy foods :)So for them i make biryani lil' mushy and soft. But now they are little grown up boys and their likes n dislikes changed. The only happy thing is still they like biryani/pulao with rice grains separate no need of mushy biryani. Of all the biryanis Chicken Biryani is our Family Favorite n used to make monthly once or once in two months. Every time i used to try new recipes, last time tried Andhra Chicken Pulao and this time tried this chicken biryani from Spice india online site. Have tried this few times earlier but this time only got time to click few pics. This biryani is Easy & simple Chicken Biryani with less spices and low calorie version using Yogurt/Curd. So if your looking for low calorie version with great taste try this chicken biryani, so delicious and aromatic. Now off to the recipe..

Ingredients

1. Basmati Rice / Jeeraga samba    2 cups
2. Onion   2 medium sized (thinly sliced)
3. Tomato   1 no. (chopped)
4. Green chili   3 or 4 (slit open)
5. Ginger Garlic Paste    1 tbsp
6. Mint leaves     1/4 cup (chopped)
7. Corianderleaves/Cilantro    1/4 cup (chopped)
8. Fresh Yogurt/Curd     1/2 cup (diluted to 1 cup -use the same cup which u measure rice)
9. Turmeric Powder    a generous pinch
10. Chilli Powder      1/2 tsp
11. Salt     to taste

To Marinate

1. Chicken    1 lb(cut into pieces)
2. Ginger Garlic Paste    1/4 tsp
3. Yogurt/Curd      1 tbsp
4. Chilli powder    1 tsp
5. Coriander powder    1 tsp
6. Garam Masala Powder   1/4 tsp
7. Salt    1/2 tsp

To Temper

1. Oil      3 tbsp
2. Clove    4 no.s
3. Cinnamon    2" stick
4. Bay leaf    1 small
5. Cardamom    3 no.s

Method

• First wash chicken drain excess water then marinate with the ingredients given under the heading "To marinate"  and cover it and keep aside for at least 30 minutes.
• Wash and soak rice in water for atleast 20-30 minutes.

• Heat oil in a skillet/pressure cooker, add the tempering ingredients one by one then add onion, green chilli, mint leaves, cilantro sprinkle little salt and saute for 1-2 minutes.
• Then add ginger garlic paste and saute till the raw smell leaves.
• After that add tomato and saute till it turns soft n mushy.
• Now add the marinated chicken, chilli powder, turmeric powder and saute for 2-3 minutes.

• Then cook covered for 6-7 minutes or till the chicken gets 3/4th cooked.
• And then add enough 1 cup yogurt and 2 or 3 cups of water, enough salt and allow to boil.
• Once it starts boiling, reduce the flame and cook for 3 minutes.
• And now add soaked and drained rice and pressure cook for 1 -2 whistles.
• But if u are cooking in skillet/stove top, cook rice with lid closed in medium heat till 80% water absorbed(see pic below).

• At this stage using a clean kitchen towel close the skillet and then close the cloth with lid and turn the heat to low and cook in DUM for 6-7 minutes.
• That's it..Yummy & Aromatic Chicken Biryani ready. Serve hot with raita/curry/boiled eggs.

Notes:
Use fresh yogurt, sour yogurt/curd will make ur biryani sour n tasteless.
Adjust spices to your taste, the above will yield u medium spicy biryani.