Chicken Biryani

1 hour 10 mins cooking time
Chicken Biryani Chicken Biryani

Chicken Biryani

  • 40 mins preparation time
  • 1 hour 10 mins cooking time
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Method

1
Pre-heat the oven to 220c/200fan/gas6/400f.
2
Place all the marinade ingredients into a large bowl, season with salt and pepper, mix well and cover in the fridge for 4-8 hours.
3
Heat 2 tbsp of Lurpak® unsalted butter in a large frying pan. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden. On all sides. Place on a roasting tray and roast in the oven for 10 minutes. Lower the heat of the oven to 180c/170fan/gas5/350f.
4
Wash the rice well and drain in a sieve.
5
Heat the remaining butter in a large shallow pan, add the onions and cook until softened. Add the ginger, garlic and the remaining spices and cook for 2-3 minutes.
6
Add the rice and stir so the spices coat the grains. Pour over the hot stock and bake in the oven until the rice is tender (12-15 minutes depending on you the rice).
TIP
When preparing Biryani, sprinkle saffron (2 pinches) soaked in 3 tbsp of milk or water over the rice while layering, to further enhance the flavours.
7
Serve hot, scattered with coriander and sliced red chillies.

Everything about Chicken Biryani

  • Chicken biryani is a South Asian dish most commonly associated with Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi cuisines. The flavourful rice dish is made with marinated chicken, aromatic spices, and rice.

  • The most important spice in biryani is garam masala, a blend of spices that typically includes cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, cumin, and coriander. It gives the dish its signature warmth and depth of flavour.

  • Biryani can be spicy; the heat level varies depending on the recipe. It's typically flavoured with spices like chili and garam masala but balanced with aromatic elements like yogurt and caramelized onions to moderate the heat.

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Marinated to perfection

If you’re after the simple secret to a flavourful biryani, your first step is the marinade. Soak your chicken in a mixture of yogurt, spices, and lime zest—this will tenderize the meat and infuse it with a spicy kick. After marinating, sear your chicken to achieve a golden, crispy exterior, locking in all those juices. Then, roast it to perfection, ensuring the meat stays tender while the outside gets a delicious, crispy finish. This is the foundation for your perfect biryani!

Dish up an authentic biryani

Let’s serve your biryani! Fluff the rice and top it with crispy fried onions, fresh coriander, and mint for extra flavour, freshness, and crunch to balance the rich spices. Add a couple of lime wedges for a surprising contrast. If you’re keeping with tradition, serve your dish family-style to encourage sharing. Once cooked, your biryani can be paired with a cooling raita, a light salad, or spicy pickles to create the best balance of flavours and textures.

The art of layering

Making biryani is a layering masterpiece, typically involving two key methods: kacchi (raw) and pakki (cooked) biryani. In this recipe, you’ll be learning how to make biryani using the pakki method, where the rice is cooked separately from the chicken, then layered together and steamed to combine all the flavours.

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Lurpak® Unsalted Butter

Unsalted Butter

With Lurpak® by your side you’re always ready to cook, bake and fry up wonders, cook. With its delicate taste, Lurpak® Unsalted Butter enhances the flavour of whatever food you add it to. From a hearty risotto dish, your weekend baking creations, to some simple earthy mushrooms, its subtle notes complement every creation you rustle up in the kitchen. For people who love Good Food, Lurpak® makes it even better. Now sleeves up. Today we cook bold.

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