How to Make Chicken Biryani at Home (Step-by-Step Recipe)

Hello, fellow food lovers! I’m Ritika, a home cook who cherishes the warmth and flavor of Indian cuisine, few dishes bring as much joy to my kitchen as a beautiful Chicken Biryani. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a celebration in a pot, a symphony of spices, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked rice that fills your home with an irresistible aroma. Growing up, biryani was always for those special occasions, a luxurious treat we eagerly awaited. But who says we need a special occasion? I believe we should enjoy our favorite dishes whenever the craving strikes!

Today, I want to share a wonderful chicken biryani recipe that brings those cherished flavors right into your everyday cooking. It’s a method that’s approachable for home cooks, letting you create a delicious biryani with ease. So let’s get cooking!

About Chicken Biryani

Biryani is a hugely popular rice dish originating from the Indian subcontinent. It’s traditionally made using a technique called dum pukht, which means “steam cooked over a low fire”. The classic way, known as Kachi Biryani, involves layering raw, marinated meat at the bottom of a pot with partially cooked rice and other aromatics, then sealing the pot to cook everything together slowly using steam. This method requires some practice to get just right.

While the traditional way is wonderful, innovative home cooks and chefs have developed simpler methods over time, like the “one pot” and “pakki biryani” styles. The recipe I’m sharing today is a fantastic one-pot method, making it much easier to achieve delicious results at home without needing complex techniques. It’s believed that Biryani was introduced to India by the Persians, evolving into the royal delicacy we know and love today.

Ingredients

Making a great biryani starts with using quality ingredients. Think of them as the building blocks of flavor!

• Basmati Rice: This is crucial! For the best texture where the grains are firm and fluffy, not mushy, choose premium quality basmati rice that is labelled as AGED. Aged rice is more fragrant and holds its shape better during cooking. The amount of water needed can vary depending on the specific brand of basmati rice you use.
• Biryani Masala (Spices): The heart of the flavor! You can use a good store-bought biryani masala or garam masala, but I find that using a fresh, homemade blend truly elevates the dish. The source provides a recipe for a Biryani Masala powder if you’d like to make your own. Quality whole spices and spice powders make a big difference.
• Chicken: For tender, succulent pieces, using bone-in chicken, especially thighs and drumsticks, works best as it adds more flavor to the dish. If you use chicken breast or boneless pieces, be mindful that the cooking time will be shorter.
• Yogurt: Essential for marinating the chicken. Yogurt tenderizes the meat and helps the spices penetrate, resulting in soft, succulent chicken. Make sure to use fresh, plain yogurt that isn’t sour. If your yogurt is slightly sour, you might want to skip the lemon juice in the marinade.
• Ghee: While you can use oil, traditional biryani often uses ghee. Ghee adds a unique, rich aroma that’s hard to beat. Using cow ghee is suggested for better taste and aroma when layering.
• Other Key Ingredients: Ginger-garlic paste, onions, mint leaves, and optionally fried onions and saffron soaked in milk, all contribute significantly to the flavor and aroma. Avoid using tomatoes, as they are not traditionally used and can alter the authentic flavor.

Marinade for Chicken

• ½ kg (1.1 lbs) chicken (bone-in or boneless, large pieces like thighs, drumsticks, or a mix)
• 3 tablespoons plain yogurt (curd or dahi), not sour
• 1¼ tablespoons ginger garlic paste (about 1 inch ginger & 4 garlic cloves crushed)
• ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric
• ½ to 1 teaspoon red chili powder (or paprika), use a less spicy variety if preferred
• ½ to 1 tablespoon garam masala (or biryani masala)
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice (optional, omit if yogurt is sour)

Whole Spices (Optional but Recommended)

• 1 bay leaf (tej patta)
• 4 green cardamoms (choti elaichi)
• 6 cloves (lavang)
• 1 inch cinnamon (dalchini)
• 1 star anise (chakri phool)
• ¾ teaspoon shahi jeera (caraway seeds, substitute with cumin if needed)
• 1 strand mace (javitri, omit if you don’t like)

Other Ingredients

• 2 cups aged basmati rice
• 2 tablespoon ghee or oil
• 1 large onion, sliced thinly
• ¼ to ½ cup mint leaves, chopped fine (about 15 leaves)
• 1 green chili (slit or chopped)
• ¼ cup plain yogurt (Indian curd), for cooking
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon red chili powder (optional, for extra heat)
• 1 teaspoon garam masala (or biryani masala)
• 3 cups water (use 3½ cups for cooking in a regular pot, adjust based on rice brand)
• ¾ teaspoon salt (to stir in water)
• 2 tablespoon fried onions (optional)
• 1 pinch saffron (optional, soaked in 2 tbsps hot milk)

Steps to Make Chicken Biryani

Here’s how we bring it all together in one pot. I’ll walk you through the process, keeping in mind where photos would help show you the key steps.

Watch Video: How to Make Chicken Biryani

Preparation:

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, ginger garlic paste, salt, garam masala/biryani masala, turmeric, lemon juice (if using), and red chili powder. Mix well and taste the marinade, adjusting salt and spice if needed. Make a few slits on your chicken pieces and add them to the marinade. Mix everything together to coat the chicken well. Cover the bowl and let it marinate for at least 1 hour, or for best results, rest it overnight in the refrigerator.
2.  Prepare the Rice: Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly, about three times, in ample water to remove starch. This helps prevent the rice from becoming mushy. Drain the rinsed rice and soak it in fresh water for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, drain the rice completely using a colander. You can also soak saffron strands in 2 tablespoons of hot milk at this stage if using.

Cook the Chicken Base:

3. Sauté Whole Spices: Heat ghee or oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or pressure cooker. This is a good spot for a photo showing the heated ghee/oil. Add the whole spices (bay leaf, green cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, shahi jeera, mace) if using. Let them sizzle for a moment until fragrant.
4. Fry the Onions: Add the thinly sliced onions to the pot. On a medium heat, stir the onions often and fry them until they turn a uniform light brown color. Be careful not to burn them, as burnt onions can make the biryani taste bitter. A photo of the perfectly browned onions would be helpful here.
5. Cook the Marinated Chicken: Add the marinated chicken to the pot. Sauté the chicken on medium heat for about 5 minutes until it looks pale.
6. Simmer the Chicken: Lower the flame completely. Cover the pot and let the chicken cook until it is soft, tender, and almost completely done. You can check if it’s cooked by pricking a piece with a fork. If there’s excess moisture left, remove the lid and cook briefly on a low flame to evaporate it.
7. Adjust Seasoning & Add Flavorings: Taste the chicken and add a little more salt if needed. Now, add the additional ¼ cup of plain yogurt, half of the chopped mint leaves, the slit green chili (if using), the optional red chili powder, and the additional teaspoon of garam masala/biryani masala.

Layering the Biryani:

8. Prepare the Base Layer: Mix the ingredients added in the previous step with the chicken base. Spread the chicken mixture evenly in a single layer at the bottom of the pot. A photo showing the chicken base spread out is great here.
9. Add Rice Layer: Gently spread the drained basmati rice evenly over the chicken layer. Do not mix the rice and chicken layers yet – keeping them separate is key to the traditional biryani experience. Show a photo of the rice layered neatly over the chicken.
10. Add Water and Aromatics: In a separate pot, heat the 3 cups of water (or 3½ cups for a regular pot) and add the ¾ teaspoon of salt. Stir and taste the water – it should be slightly salty. Bring this water to a rolling boil. Carefully pour 2 cups of the hot water around the sides of your pot/cooker, then gently pour the rest over the rice. A video or photos demonstrating the pouring method would be helpful here. Gently level the rice on top if needed. Sprinkle the remaining chopped mint leaves over the rice. If using, also sprinkle the fried onions and drizzle the saffron soaked milk.

Cooking the Biryani (Dum):

11. Cook (Pot Method): If using a regular pot, cover it tightly. Cook on a medium heat until the rice is fully cooked and feels grainy, not mushy or undercooked. If the rice is still hard and there’s no water left, you can carefully add ¼ to ½ cup more boiling water and continue cooking. Rest the pot, still covered, for 15 minutes after cooking.
12. Cook (Pressure Cooker Method): If using a pressure cooker, set the flame to medium-high, cover, and place the whistle. Cook until you hear 1 whistle. Immediately move the cooker away from the heat source to stop the cooking.
13. Rest & Fluff: Whether using a pot or cooker, allow the biryani to rest covered for at least 10-15 minutes after cooking/whistle. If using a pressure cooker, wait for the pressure to release naturally before opening the lid. Gently fluff up the rice layers with a fork before serving.
14. Serving: To serve, use a large rice paddle and scoop from top to bottom so each plate gets layers of fluffy rice and tender chicken from underneath.

Recipe Summary: Prep Time, Cook Time and Servings

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 25 minutes 
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes 
• Servings: 4 people

Serving Suggestions

Biryani is wonderful on its own, but it’s traditionally served with accompaniments that complement its rich flavors.

• Raita: A cooling yogurt dip, often cucumber or onion raita.
• Shorba: A savory biryani gravy.
• Sliced Veggies or Salad: Simple onion salad or kachumber.
• Papads: Crispy lentil crackers.

Expert Tips from My Kitchen

Making a fantastic biryani at home is totally achievable! Here are a few tips drawing from the source to help you out:

Tip 1 – Marination is Key: Don’t skip marinating the chicken with yogurt and spices. It’s essential for tender, flavorful meat. If you can’t use yogurt, coconut milk is suggested as an alternative.

Tip 2 – Rice Prep Matters: Always rinse your basmati rice really well to get rid of starch and prevent mushiness. Soaking helps the grains cook up long and fluffy.

Tip 3 – Water Wisdom: The amount of water needed can vary by basmati rice brand. The quantity provided is a good starting point, but you might need slight adjustments. If your rice is undercooked at the end, a little extra boiling water added carefully can help. Using chicken stock instead of plain water can add extra flavor.

Tip 4 – Handle the Heat: This recipe is designed to be flavorful without being overly spicy for many palates. You can easily adjust the red chili powder amount to suit your preference. Adding a slit green chili is optional for a little extra kick.

Tip 5 – Fried Onion Finesse: If you fry your own onions, watch them closely! They can go from perfectly golden to burnt and bitter in seconds. They also continue to darken slightly after you remove them from the heat.

Tip 6 – Authenticity Note: Authentic biryani recipes typically do not use tomatoes. Omitting them helps preserve the traditional flavor profile.

Tip 7 – Bone-In vs. Boneless: Using bone-in chicken adds more flavor. If using boneless, especially breast pieces, they cook faster, so adjust your cooking time to avoid drying them out.

Nutrition Per Serving (1/4 of Recipe)

• Calories: ~500–600 kcal
• Protein: ~25–30 g
• Carbohydrates: ~50–60 g
• Sugars: ~3–5 g
• Fat: ~20–25 g
  • Saturated Fat: ~4–6 g
• Fiber: ~2–4 g
• Cholesterol: ~75–90 mg
• Sodium: ~600–800 mg (depends on salt & stock used)

I hope you enjoy making this Chicken Biryani recipe as much as I do! It’s a dish that brings warmth and happiness to any table.

Happy Cooking!

About the Author

Ritika Yadav

Print Pin

Chicken Biryani Recipe

Learn how to make chicken biryani at home with this easy recipe—flavorful, aromatic, and perfect for both special days and everyday meals.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Keyword chicken biryani

Prep Time 1 hour hour

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 600kcal

Author Ritika Yadav

Equipment

• 1 Large Mixing Bowl
• 1 Colander or Strainer
• 1 Heavy-Bottomed Pot or Pressure Cooker
• 1 Small Saucepan or Pot
• 1 Knife and Cutting Board
• 1 Spatula or Wooden Spoon
• 1 Fork or Rice Paddle
• 1 Lid or Foil

Ingredients

• Basmati Rice This is crucial! For the best texture where the grains are firm and fluffy not mushy, choose premium quality basmati rice that is labelled as AGED. Aged rice is more fragrant and holds its shape better during cooking. The amount of water needed can vary depending on the specific brand of basmati rice you use.
• Biryani Masala Spices: The heart of the flavor! You can use a good store-bought biryani masala or garam masala, but I find that using a fresh, homemade blend truly elevates the dish. The source provides a recipe for a Biryani Masala powder if you’d like to make your own. Quality whole spices and spice powders make a big difference.
• Chicken For tender succulent pieces, using bone-in chicken, especially thighs and drumsticks, works best as it adds more flavor to the dish. If you use chicken breast or boneless pieces, be mindful that the cooking time will be shorter.
• Yogurt Essential for marinating the chicken. Yogurt tenderizes the meat and helps the spices penetrate resulting in soft, succulent chicken. Make sure to use fresh, plain yogurt that isn’t sour. If your yogurt is slightly sour, you might want to skip the lemon juice in the marinade.
• Ghee While you can use oil traditional biryani often uses ghee. Ghee adds a unique, rich aroma that’s hard to beat. Using cow ghee is suggested for better taste and aroma when layering.
• Other Key Ingredients: Ginger-garlic paste, onions, mint leaves, and optionally fried onions and saffron soaked in milk all contribute significantly to the flavor and aroma. Avoid using tomatoes, as they are not traditionally used and can alter the authentic flavor.
• ½ kg 1.1 lbs chicken (bone-in or boneless, large pieces like thighs, drumsticks, or a mix)
• 3 tablespoons plain yogurt curd or dahi, not sour
• 1¼ tablespoons ginger garlic paste about 1 inch ginger & 4 garlic cloves crushed
• ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric
• ½ to 1 teaspoon red chili powder or paprika, use a less spicy variety if preferred
• ½ to 1 tablespoon garam masala or biryani masala
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice optional, omit if yogurt is sour
• 1 bay leaf tej patta
• 4 green cardamoms choti elaichi
• 6 cloves lavang
• 1 inch cinnamon dalchini
• 1 star anise chakri phool
• ¾ teaspoon shahi jeera caraway seeds, substitute with cumin if needed
• 1 strand mace javitri, omit if you don’t like
• 2 cups aged basmati rice
• 2 tablespoon ghee or oil
• 1 large onion sliced thinly
• ¼ to ½ cup mint leaves chopped fine (about 15 leaves)
• 1 green chili slit or chopped
• ¼ cup plain yogurt Indian curd, for cooking
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon red chili powder optional, for extra heat
• 1 teaspoon garam masala or biryani masala
• 3 cups water use 3½ cups for cooking in a regular pot, adjust based on rice brand
• ¾ teaspoon salt to stir in water
• 2 tablespoon fried onions optional
• 1 pinch saffron optional, soaked in 2 tbsps hot milk

Instructions

• Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, ginger garlic paste, salt, garam masala/biryani masala, turmeric, lemon juice (if using), and red chili powder. Mix well and taste the marinade, adjusting salt and spice if needed. Make a few slits on your chicken pieces and add them to the marinade. Mix everything together to coat the chicken well. Cover the bowl and let it marinate for at least 1 hour, or for best results, rest it overnight in the refrigerator.
• Prepare the Rice: Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly, about three times, in ample water to remove starch. This helps prevent the rice from becoming mushy. Drain the rinsed rice and soak it in fresh water for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, drain the rice completely using a colander. You can also soak saffron strands in 2 tablespoons of hot milk at this stage if using.
• Sauté Whole Spices: Heat ghee or oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or pressure cooker. This is a good spot for a photo showing the heated ghee/oil. Add the whole spices (bay leaf, green cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, shahi jeera, mace) if using. Let them sizzle for a moment until fragrant.
• Fry the Onions: Add the thinly sliced onions to the pot. On a medium heat, stir the onions often and fry them until they turn a uniform light brown color. Be careful not to burn them, as burnt onions can make the biryani taste bitter. A photo of the perfectly browned onions would be helpful here.
• Cook the Marinated Chicken: Add the marinated chicken to the pot. Sauté the chicken on medium heat for about 5 minutes until it looks pale.
• Simmer the Chicken: Lower the flame completely. Cover the pot and let the chicken cook until it is soft, tender, and almost completely done. You can check if it’s cooked by pricking a piece with a fork. If there’s excess moisture left, remove the lid and cook briefly on a low flame to evaporate it.
• Adjust Seasoning & Add Flavorings: Taste the chicken and add a little more salt if needed. Now, add the additional ¼ cup of plain yogurt, half of the chopped mint leaves, the slit green chili (if using), the optional red chili powder, and the additional teaspoon of garam masala/biryani masala.
• Prepare the Base Layer: Mix the ingredients added in the previous step with the chicken base. Spread the chicken mixture evenly in a single layer at the bottom of the pot. A photo showing the chicken base spread out is great here.
• Add Rice Layer: Gently spread the drained basmati rice evenly over the chicken layer. Do not mix the rice and chicken layers yet – keeping them separate is key to the traditional biryani experience. Show a photo of the rice layered neatly over the chicken.
• Add Water and Aromatics: In a separate pot, heat the 3 cups of water (or 3½ cups for a regular pot) and add the ¾ teaspoon of salt. Stir and taste the water – it should be slightly salty. Bring this water to a rolling boil. Carefully pour 2 cups of the hot water around the sides of your pot/cooker, then gently pour the rest over the rice. A video or photos demonstrating the pouring method would be helpful here. Gently level the rice on top if needed. Sprinkle the remaining chopped mint leaves over the rice. If using, also sprinkle the fried onions and drizzle the saffron soaked milk.
• Cook (Pot Method): If using a regular pot, cover it tightly. Cook on a medium heat until the rice is fully cooked and feels grainy, not mushy or undercooked. If the rice is still hard and there’s no water left, you can carefully add ¼ to ½ cup more boiling water and continue cooking. Rest the pot, still covered, for 15 minutes after cooking.
• Cook (Pressure Cooker Method): If using a pressure cooker, set the flame to medium-high, cover, and place the whistle. Cook until you hear 1 whistle. Immediately move the cooker away from the heat source to stop the cooking.
• Rest & Fluff: Whether using a pot or cooker, allow the biryani to rest covered for at least 10-15 minutes after cooking/whistle. If using a pressure cooker, wait for the pressure to release naturally before opening the lid. Gently fluff up the rice layers with a fork before serving.
• Serving: To serve, use a large rice paddle and scoop from top to bottom so each plate gets layers of fluffy rice and tender chicken from underneath.

Video

Notes

1. Marination is Key: Don’t skip marinating the chicken with yogurt and spices. It’s essential for tender, flavorful meat. If you can’t use yogurt, coconut milk is suggested as an alternative.
2. Rice Prep Matters: Always rinse your basmati rice really well to get rid of starch and prevent mushiness. Soaking helps the grains cook up long and fluffy.
3. Water Wisdom: The amount of water needed can vary by basmati rice brand. The quantity provided is a good starting point, but you might need slight adjustments. If your rice is undercooked at the end, a little extra boiling water added carefully can help. Using chicken stock instead of plain water can add extra flavor.
4. Handle the Heat: This recipe is designed to be flavorful without being overly spicy for many palates. You can easily adjust the red chili powder amount to suit your preference. Adding a slit green chili is optional for a little extra kick.
5. Fried Onion Finesse: If you fry your own onions, watch them closely! They can go from perfectly golden to burnt and bitter in seconds. They also continue to darken slightly after you remove them from the heat.
6. Authenticity Note: Authentic biryani recipes typically do not use tomatoes. Omitting them helps preserve the traditional flavor profile.
7. Bone-In vs. Boneless: Using bone-in chicken adds more flavor. If using boneless, especially breast pieces, they cook faster, so adjust your cooking time to avoid drying them out.