One-Pot Easy Chicken Biryani

One-pot chicken biryani is a convenient and delicious dish that simplifies the traditional biryani-making process. Here's a straightforward recipe for you:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes and drained
• 500g chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2-3 green cardamom pods
• 2-3 cloves
• 1-inch cinnamon stick
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped for garnish
• Fried onions (optional, for garnish)
• Saffron strands soaked in warm milk (optional, for color and flavor)

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix yogurt with ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Add chicken pieces and marinate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Sautéing: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep pan, heat oil or ghee over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.

3. Cooking Onions: Add sliced onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.

4. Adding Tomatoes: Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and mushy.

5. Cooking Chicken: Add the marinated chicken along with the marinade. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the chicken is partially cooked.

6. Layering Rice: Spread the soaked and drained rice evenly over the chicken in the pot.

7. Adding Water: Pour 1.5 to 2 cups of water (adjust as needed based on rice and chicken quantity). Bring to a boil.

8. Simmering: Reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice and chicken are fully cooked and tender. Ensure the rice absorbs all the moisture.

9. Resting: Once done, remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

10. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped coriander leaves, fried onions (if using), and saffron-soaked milk (if using) for added flavor and color. Serve hot with raita and salad on the side.

Tips:

• You can add a handful of fried cashews and raisins for added texture and flavor.
• Adjust the spice levels according to your taste preferences.
• Ensure the rice-to-water ratio is appropriate to avoid overcooking or undercooking the rice.

This one-pot chicken biryani recipe simplifies the process while retaining the authentic flavors of traditional biryani. Enjoy your meal!