Chicken Biryani

Step 1

Mix Marinade in a large pot (about 26cm / 11" diameter). Add chicken and coat well. Marinade 20 minutes to overnight.

Step 2

Bring 3 litres / 3 quarts water to the boil, add salt and spices.

Step 3

Add rice, bring back up to the boil then cook for 4 minutes, or until rice is just cooked still a bit firm in the middle. Rice will taste salty at this stage, disappears in next stage of cooking.

Step 4

Drain immediately. Set aside. (Note 10 re: leaving whole spices in)

Step 5

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Cook onion, in batches, for 3 to 4 minutes, until golden brown. Don't burn - they become bitter.

Step 6

Remove onto paper towel lined plate. Repeat with remaining onion.

Step 7

Place in a bowl, leave for 10 minutes+.

Step 8

Place pot with chicken in it onto a stove over medium heat. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.

Step 9

Remove lid. Cook for 5 minutes, turning chicken twice.

Step 10

Remove from heat.

Step 11

Turn chicken so skin side is down - it should cover most of the base of the pot.

Step 12

Scatter over half the onion then half the coriander.

Step 13

Top with all the rice. Gently pat down and flatten surface.

Step 14

Drizzle saffron across rice surface in random pattern, then drizzle over ghee.

Step 15

Place lid on. Return to stove over medium heat.

Step 16

As soon as you see steam, turn down to low then cook for 25 minutes.

Step 17

Remove from stove, rest with lid on for 10 minutes.

Step 18

Aim to serve it so you get nice patches of yellow rice, white rice, the curry stained rice + chicken (rather than all mixed up). To do this, use a large spoon and dig deep into the pot, and try to scoop up as much as you can in one scoop.

Step 19

Turn out into bowl - or onto platter. Garnish with remaining onion and coriander with yoghurt on the side (see Note 7 for Minted Yoghurt)