Muradabadi Chicken Biryani | Muradabad ki Famous Biryani | मुरादाबादी चिकन बिरयानी

basmati rice

🥗Healthier: brown rice

💰Cheaper: long-grain rice

Brown rice is healthier, while long-grain rice is often more affordable.

chicken

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Tofu is a plant-based alternative, while chicken thighs are less expensive than breasts.

yogurt

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt offers similar creaminess with fewer calories, while sour cream is usually cheaper.

saffron

🥗Healthier: turmeric

💰Cheaper: yellow food coloring

Turmeric provides color and health benefits, while yellow food coloring is a budget-friendly substitute.

Marinate 1 kg chicken with 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste, 7-8 ground green chilies, 3/4 cup yogurt, 1 tablespoon coriander powder, 1 tablespoon cumin powder, 1 tablespoon fennel powder, 4-5 black cardamom, 3 star anise, 1 piece of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 5-6 black pepper, 2-3 cloves, 2-3 bay leaves, and juice of 1/2 lemon. Mix well and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Heat 3/4 cup oil in a large pot over high heat.

Slice 3 medium onions thinly and fry them in the oil until golden brown. Remove half for garnishing and add the remaining half to the pot with the marinated chicken.

Mix the chicken with the fried onions in the pot for 2-3 minutes until it turns white.

Add 3-4 green chilies (mild) and mix well. Cover and cook on low flame for 15 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook about 70-80%.

Remove the lid and increase the flame to high, stirring until the chicken is well coated with spices and any moisture evaporates.

Add 1 kg soaked basmati rice to the pot, followed by 7 1/2 cups water. Keep the flame high until the water starts boiling.

Once boiling, gently mix the rice with the chicken and reduce the flame to low. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes until the rice is soft and water is absorbed.

After 15 minutes, uncover and add 1 tablespoon kewra water and 2 tablespoons ghee. Optionally, add saffron if desired.

Cover again and cook on low for an additional 5 minutes.

Once done, gently mix the biryani from the bottom to the top to combine flavors.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: