Chicken Tikka Biryani

Chicken Tikka Biryani is a delicious and aromatic rice dish that combines the flavors of tender chicken tikka and fragrant biryani rice. It's a popular Indian dish that is perfect for special occasions or when you want to treat yourself to a flavorful meal. Here's a recipe to make Chicken Tikka Biryani:

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Tikka:

• 500 grams chicken, boneless and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons tikka masala powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Skewers for grilling (if using)

For the Biryani Rice:

• 2 cups basmati rice, soaked in water for 30 minutes and drained
• 4 cups water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4-5 green cardamom pods
• 4-5 cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt to taste

For the Biryani:

• 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons biryani masala powder
• 1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• Saffron strands (optional), soaked in 2 tablespoons warm milk
• Fried onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

For the Chicken Tikka:

1. In a bowl, combine yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, tikka masala powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, salt, and oil. Mix well to make a marinade.
2. Add chicken pieces to the marinade and mix until each piece is well coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 1 hour, or refrigerate overnight for best results.
3. If using skewers, thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers. If not using skewers, you can directly grill the chicken pieces on a preheated grill or cook them on a stovetop grill pan until cooked through and slightly charred. Alternatively, you can cook the chicken in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for about 20-25 minutes or until cooked.
4. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skewers (if using) and set aside.

For the Biryani Rice:

1. In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add soaked and drained rice to the boiling water.
2. Add cinnamon stick, green cardamom pods, cloves, bay leaf, and salt to the pot. Stir well.
3. Cook the rice on medium heat until it is 70-80% cooked (it should still have a slight bite to it). This should take about 7-8 minutes. Drain the rice and set aside.

For the Biryani:

1. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat ghee over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onions and sauté until they turn golden brown and caramelized.
2. Add chopped tomatoes to the pot and cook until they become soft and mushy.
3. Add biryani masala powder to the pot and sauté for a minute to toast the spices.
4. Add the cooked chicken tikka pieces to the pot and mix well with the masala.
5. Layer half of the partially cooked rice over the chicken tikka mixture. Sprinkle half of the chopped coriander leaves and mint leaves on top.
6. Repeat the process with the remaining rice, coriander leaves, and mint leaves.
7. Drizzle saffron-infused milk over the top (optional) to give a beautiful yellow color to the rice.
8. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the rice to fully cook.
9. Remove from heat and let the biryani rest for a few minutes before serving.
10. Garnish with fried onions (optional) and serve the flavorful Chicken Tikka Biryani hot with raita or a side salad.

Enjoy the aromatic and delicious Chicken Tikka Biryani, where the tender chicken tikka and fragrant rice come together to create a flavorful and satisfying meal.