Easy Chicken Biryani

Biryani is a family of primarily South Asian dishes made from a mixture of spices ,rice (usually Basmati), meat/vegetables and yogurt(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biryani). Today i am providing the recipe for chicken biryani. This is a very simple recipe and can be made by anyone easily.


Ingredients:
1 cup of Basmati Rice - washed
1 medium onion - chopped finely
1 tomato - chopped finely
2 green chillies - chopped finely
250g packet of chicken breast tenders (1/4 kg) - cut into medium pieces
1 strip of curry leaves
1/4 tsp of turmeric powder
1 tsp of chilli powder
1/2 tsp of coriander powder
2 1/2 tsp of ginger garlic paste
2 tsp of yogurt
salt as required
Garam masala:
1/4 tsp of whole cumin seeds(perumjeerakam)
2 cardamom(elakkai)
2 cloves(grambu)
1 nutmeg(jathikka)
2 bayleaves
2-3 pieces of cinnamon sticks
1/4 tsp of peppercorns

Preparation Method:
1. First of all clean the chicken thoroughly with lemon juice and marinate it with turmeric, coriander, chilli powder, ginger garlic paste and yogurt. Keep it in fridge for 30 minutes.
2. Get a large frying pan and heat up a couple of tablespoons of your usual vegetable oil in it - I use olive oil.
3. When the oil is hot add all garam masala's and stir it around a bit.
4. Then add the chopped onion, green chillies and curry leaves. Fry it until the onions are soft and transparent.
5. Now add the chopped tomato and fry until it become soft.
6. Add the chicken pieces and stir it around.
7. After a few minutes add 3/4 cup of water into it and close the pan and let it boil until the chicken pieces are cooked well, which should only take 6-8 minutes.
8. Now add the washed and drained rice into it and add another 1 1/4 cup of water.
9. Add salt as required and mix well.
10. Cover the pan and let the water boil. Once it boils switch off the flame and leave it to rest for about 30 minutes.
11. Transfer it into another pan and heat it in microwave for 1 1/2 mts.
12. Decorate with ciriander leaves, cashews and raisins.
13. Serve it up with a side-salad of onion, cucumber and tomato - dressed in salad vinegar - and enjoy!

Try it and let me know your feedback!