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Chicken Biriyani

When you raise the lid on a pot of good biriyani, the Indian equivalent of arroz con pollo or paella, the smell should beguile you: chicken, butter and spices should dominate, followed by the subtle aroma of basmati rice. You might even smell the salt.

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • Coarse salt and ground black pepper
  • 1 large pinch saffron
  • 10 whole cardamom pods
  • 5 cloves
  • 1 3-inch cinnamon stick
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
  • 1 ½ cups basmati rice
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • 1 3- to 4-pound chicken, cut up and trimmed of excess fat; skin removed if desired
  • ¼ cup slivered blanched almonds, optional
  • Nutritional Information
    • Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

      1327 calories; 76 grams fat; 25 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 30 grams monounsaturated fat; 14 grams polyunsaturated fat; 68 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 4 grams sugars; 85 grams protein; 333 milligrams cholesterol; 542 milligrams sodium

      • Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.

4 servings

Preparation

  1. Put 2 tablespoons butter in a deep skillet or casserole that can be covered. Turn heat to medium-high. Add onion and some salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion softens, 5 to 10 minutes. Add spices, and cook, stirring, another minute.
  2. Add rice, and cook, stirring, until ingredients are well combined, 2 or 3 minutes. Add stock, chicken and more salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer.
  3. Cook undisturbed for about 25 minutes. When chicken and rice are tender and liquid is absorbed, turn heat off. If either chicken or rice is not quite done, add no more than 1/2 cup boiling water, and cook until done.
  4. Melt remaining butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add almonds (or simply melt butter), and brown lightly. Pour mixture over biriyani, and sprinkle with a bit more salt. Let rest 2 or 3 minutes. Take pot to table, and serve.
  • Cardamom seeds can be eaten, but cloves should be removed after cooking.

1 hour

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