Baked Biryani

Baked Biryani is a fragrant and flavorful dish that combines marinated chicken with aromatic basmati rice, layered and baked to perfection. This Halal Indian dish is a comforting meal that delights the senses with its rich spices and tender textures.

Ingredients

• Basmati rice - 150 grams
• Chicken thighs, boneless - 300 grams
• Yogurt - 100 grams
• Onion, thinly sliced - 1 medium
• Tomato, chopped - 1 medium
• Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tablespoon
• Biryani masala - 2 teaspoons
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon
• Red chili powder - 1 teaspoon
• Cilantro, chopped - 2 tablespoons
• Mint leaves, chopped - 2 tablespoons
• Cooking oil - 2 tablespoons
• Salt - to taste
• Water - 300 milliliters
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
• Saffron strands - a pinch
• Milk - 2 tablespoons

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then soak it in water for 30 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, mix the chicken with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, biryani masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder, lemon juice, and salt. Let it marinate for at least 20 minutes.
4. In a pan, heat cooking oil over medium heat and sauté the sliced onions until golden brown. Remove half for garnishing later.
5. Add the marinated chicken to the pan with the remaining onions and cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
6. Add chopped tomatoes, cilantro, and mint leaves to the chicken mixture and stir well. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
7. In a separate pot, bring 300 milliliters of water to a boil. Add the soaked rice and cook until it's 70% done (the rice should still have a bite), then drain the water.
8. In an oven-safe dish, layer half of the partially cooked rice, followed by the chicken mixture, and then the remaining rice on top.
9. In a small bowl, dissolve the saffron strands in warm milk and drizzle it over the top layer of rice.
10. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
11. Remove from the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes, then gently fluff the biryani before serving. Garnish with the reserved fried onions.

Nutrition

• Calories: 600
• Protein: 30 g
• Carbs: 70 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Cholesterol: 90 mg
• Total Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Water: 0.3 L

Health Benefits

• High in protein from chicken, beneficial for muscle repair and growth.
• Contains herbs like mint and cilantro, which may aid digestion and provide antioxidants.

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