CHICKEN BIRIYANI

Chicken Biriyani image

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.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories dinner, lunch, main course

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

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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 1/2 cups basmati rice
3 cups chicken stock
1 3- to 4-pound chicken, cut up and trimmed of excess fat; skin removed if desired
1/4 cup slivered blanched almonds, optional

Steps:

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.
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.
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.
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.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1026, UnsaturatedFat 31 grams, Carbohydrate 68 grams, Fat 55 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 61 grams, SaturatedFat 20 grams, Sodium 1635 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 1 gram