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    Home » Recipes

    Easy Weeknight Chicken Biryani

    Nov 12, 2021

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    chicken biryani in oval platter

    So much flavor but so little work required for this easy weeknight chicken biryani! I love this recipe because I feel so good sitting down to this homemade biryani but also relieved that it really is easy to make! And I don't know about you but I need a big scoop of cucumber raita with my biryani! That way, I can make the biryani a bit spicier but know that the cucumber raita will be balancing everything out in the end!

    indian chicken and rice with veggies and raita

    Tips for making a super flavorful chicken biryani quickly and easily!

    • Marinate the chicken for a few hours! Overnight or in the morning
    • Marinate with yogurt, ginger, garlic, lemon juice and salt
    • Fry the marinated chicken in ghee! (or butter) Seems extravagant, but remember you're looking for quick flavor
    • Most important buy a biryani seasoning mix! Other than your main ingredients, you will not have to scramble for any other ingredients! I've used these mixes and found them to be perfectly seasoned!
    weeknight chicken biryani with pickled veggies

    No fancy equipment required!

    This is not an Instant Pot or pressure cooker recipe! As much as I love my Instant Pot for quick and easy dinners. I love that this biryani can be made in a regular dutch oven pot or even a large soup pot.

    spooning biryani with chicken and masala

    So here's the trick to getting the biryani perfect!

    • Fry up the marinated chicken in the ghee, like I mentioned before.
    • Add in the veggies (onions, tomatoes, peppers if you are using)
    • Add the biryani seasoned mix. Isn't it great when they make these types of seasoning mixes?
    • Add in the rice and water or stock. Do not even worry about stirring or anything, just add the rice in a layer on top of the veggies and chicken. Cover the pot with a tight lid, and cook for 15 minutes.
    • Check to see if the rice has finished cooking. Fluff with a spoon, add cilantro and serve this weeknight chicken biryani with this kale and garlic raita and pickled onions!
    close up on weeknight Indian rice casserole
    chicken biryani in oval platter

    Easy Weeknight Chicken Biryani

    Here's a quick dinner recipe for a weeknight chicken biryani that gives you all the flavor but in so little time!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Marination Time 4 hrs
    Total Time 5 hrs
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 318 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Marinade

    • 1 pound chicken boneless, skinless thighs or breasts, cut into 2 inch pieces
    • 1 cup yogurt
    • 1 tablespoon ginger
    • 6 garlic cloves
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    Biryani

    • 1 tablespoon ghee
    • 1 cups basmati rice
    • 1½ cups chicken stock or water
    • 1 onion chopped
    • 1 tomato chopped
    • 1 potato peeled, cubed and rinsed
    • 1 serrano pepper diced, optional
    • 2 tablespoons biryani masala or garam masala
    • ¼ cup cilantro chopped

    Easy Cucumber Raita

    • 1 cucumber peeled and grated
    • 1 cup yogurt you can use Greek yogurt too, but then do not drain the water from the cucumber
    • 1 garlic clove grated or minced
    • ¼ cup cilantro chopped
    • 2 teaspoons chaat masala or ground cumin
    • ½ teaspoon salt taste before adding, the raita may be salty enough with the chaat masala

    Instructions
     

    Marinate the Chicken

    • In a small blender, add ginger, garlic, yogurt, salt and lemon juice. Blend to chop up the garlic and ginger. Pour this mixture into a large bowl.
    • Add chicken to the bowl, stir to coat the chicken in the yogurt mixture and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

    Make the Biryani

    • In a small bowl, soak the peeled and cubed potato in water for a few minutes.
    • In another small bowl, rinse the starch from the rice multiple times until the water starts running clear. Let the rice soak in water as the chicken and veggies cook.
    • In a large stock pot (with a lid), melt ghee. Add the marinated chicken pieces. Cook for 5 minutes. Add veggies (onions, tomatoes, peppers) and seasoning mix. Drain the water from the potatoes and add to the pot. Stir to combine, cook for an additional 3 minutes.
    • Drain the water from the rice. Add the stock (or water) and the rice to the pot. No need to stir at this point. Close the lid and cook for 15 minutes. Check the doneness of the rice. If it is not completely cooked, ensure the water has not completely dissipated, then close the lid and cook for another 3 minutes. If the rice is not done and there is no water left, add ¼ cup of water, then close the lid and cook for another 3 minutes.
    • Fluff the rice and chicken. Serve with chopped cilantro and raita.

    Make the Raita

    • Peel and grate a cucumber, drain the water from the cucumber but keep the water aside in case the raita is a bit thick.
    • Combine all ingredients for raita in a small bowl. If raita is a bit too thick, add a few spoons of cucumber water to thin it out. Discard the leftover cucumber water.
    • Refrigerate raita until ready to serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 318kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 15gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 737mgPotassium: 483mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 449IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 141mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword chicken biryani, weeknight chicken biryani, easy chicken biryani,
    Love this recipe?Mention @sweetsimplemasala or tag #sweetsimplemasala!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jerika

      February 09, 2022 at 10:47 am

      This chicken biryani looks flavorful indeed! We are having this over the weekend. Thanks!:)

      Reply
      • Jill Patel

        February 09, 2022 at 1:50 pm

        Thank you! I hope you like it!

        Reply
    2. Maya

      February 09, 2022 at 10:52 am

      5 stars
      I've always though Biryani was the kind of thing best ordered in a restaurant not attempted at home but this recipe is so easy to follow and approachable that I've changed my mind!

      Reply
      • Jill Patel

        February 09, 2022 at 1:51 pm

        I know! But this is such an easy way to have it!

        Reply
    3. Will

      February 09, 2022 at 11:46 am

      5 stars
      Been looking to expand from my go to weeknight dinners. Gave this a shot and really enjoyed it. Easy to follow and tasted great. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jill Patel

        February 09, 2022 at 1:51 pm

        Thanks so much! Really glad you liked it!

        Reply
    4. Sunrita Dutta

      February 09, 2022 at 12:01 pm

      5 stars
      Biriyani is one of my favorite dishes to eat. Thanks for simplifying this so
      That I can enjoy it at home. So so good!

      Reply
      • Jill Patel

        February 09, 2022 at 1:52 pm

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    5. Sunrita Dutta

      February 09, 2022 at 12:41 pm

      Biriyani is one of my most favorite dishes. Thank you for simplifying it and yet so delicious.

      Reply
    6. Ash B

      February 09, 2022 at 1:35 pm

      5 stars
      I haven't heard of this dish before, but this looks so good! The colors and the flavors both look and sound amazing.

      Reply
      • Jill Patel

        February 09, 2022 at 1:53 pm

        Thank you!!

        Reply

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