Bahraini Chicken Biryani
A fragrant and flavorful chicken biryani, adapted to Bahraini tastes with a unique blend of spices and aromatic ingredients. This version emphasizes tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice, infused with saffron and rose water.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken(cut into medium pieces)
- 500 g Basmati rice(soaked for 30 minutes)
- 3 large Onions(thinly sliced)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 2 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste
- 150 ml Yogurt
- 3 to taste Green chilies(slit lengthwise)
- 0.5 tsp Saffron threads(soaked in 2 tbsp warm milk)
- 1 tsp Rose water
- 4 tbsp Ghee or oil
- Whole spices(2 bay leaves, 4 cardamom pods, 4 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick)
- Ground spices(1 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp red chili powder, 1/4 tsp garam masala)
- to taste Salt
- a handful Fresh cilantro and mint(chopped, for garnish)
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat ghee or oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the whole spices and sauté until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute - 2
Add the sliced onions and fry until golden brown. Remove half the fried onions and set aside for garnish.
- 3
Add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies to the pot. Sauté for a minute until the raw smell disappears.
- 4
Add the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften.
- 5
Add the yogurt and all the ground spices. Mix well and cook for 5-7 minutes until the oil starts to separate from the masala.
- 6
Add salt, lemon juice, and about 1/2 cup of water. Cover and simmer on low heat for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is almost cooked through.
- 7
Meanwhile, cook the soaked basmati rice in plenty of salted boiling water until it is about 70% cooked. Drain the rice and set aside.
- 8
Layer the partially cooked rice over the chicken masala in the pot. Sprinkle the saffron milk and rose water evenly over the rice.
- 9
Cover the pot tightly with a lid (you can seal it with dough or foil to trap steam). Cook on very low heat for 20-25 minutes, allowing the rice to steam and cook completely, and the flavors to meld.
- 10
Gently fluff the biryani with a fork, mixing the rice layers with the chicken masala. Garnish with the reserved fried onions, chopped cilantro, and mint.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the rice is only 70% cooked before layering to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- ✓Use good quality basmati rice for the best texture and aroma.
- ✓Adjust the green chilies according to your spice preference.
- ✓Sealing the pot tightly is crucial for proper steaming.
🔄 Variations
- Add a few fried cashews or raisins for extra texture and sweetness.
- For a richer flavor, add a tablespoon of butter on top before steaming.
- Can be made with mutton or fish, adjusting cooking times accordingly.