Chicken biryani

4 cups rice (the cup which comes with the rice cooker) - soak the rice in water for at least 30 mins- more will not harm.

2 Cloves, cardamom

Ѕ inch cinnamon

1 pinch cumin seeds

Drain the water- add water, salt, 2-3 tsp oil (this will help the rice not to stick), add the cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon stick.

Bring the rice to half boil (just after the first boil- the rice becomes big, but not fully cooked and is still separate from each other)

Drain the water (using a strainer helps) - leave the rice on the strainer

If you want the rice to be yellow, you can add a pinch of turmeric while boiling the rice.

(Another way to do this is to add saffron water (we do this back home, it gives a different flavor to the rice). But you can avoid it, just putting here as part of some information. Basically, a few saffron pieces are soaked in water (approx 100ml) for at least 30 mins. This water along with the saffron is then poured over the rice at the last stage when the ghee is being added).

Method

In a dry pan (big enough to fit the chicken as well as the rice) heat oil (as per requirement), heat until lightly smoking. (Do not at any time exceed medium high- otherwise all the stuff will get burnt).

Add Cloves, cardamom, cumin seeds, chopped onions, chopped green chilis. Fry for approx ten minutes.

Add ginger garlic paste. Stir fry till onions become light brown.

Add chicken and potatoes. Stir fry for approx 5-8 minutes.

Add red chili powder, pepper, cumin seed, and turmeric powder

Stir fry for 5-10 mins- add salt. Add the yogurt. Stir fry for another 5-10 minutes.

Now top this chicken with the drained rice. You may want to shake the vessel a bit here and there so that everything gets settled. Add 2 tsp or more of the ghee / dalda on the rice (spread it over the rice). Cover the cooking pan with a lid.

Put the flame to low. Your Biryani should be done in about 15 minutes. The indication to this would be that the rice will become full-sized and soft. Do not worry about the chicken it will definitely get done along this process.

Another easy way out would be to just add readymade chicken biryani powder, but if you want to give the biryani your personal touch, then add the spices as mentioned