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Authentic South Indian Biryani

SUBMITTED BY: su

"The deep flavors and piquant aromas of southern Indian cooking come to life in this recipe. Chicken simmers in a yogurt and tomato sauce rich with herbs and spices. This recipe calls for chicken, but you can use whatever meat you prefer. It can be a vegetarian dish, too. Just add vegetables instead of meat."
RECIPE RATING:
The reviewer gave this recipe 11 stars. This recipe average a 3.7 star rating.
Read Reviews (10)
PREP TIME  15 Min
COOK TIME  2 Hrs
READY IN  2 Hrs 15 Min

SERVINGS

 (Help)
    
Servings
 

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 pod cardamom
  • 1 clove
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4 medium onions, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
  • chili powder to taste
  • 1 1/2 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • 16 ounces plain yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • lemon juice, to taste
  • 3 cups white rice
  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • salt to taste
  • 1 bunch fresh mint, chopped
  • 1 bunch chopped cilantro

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  2. Heat oil in a large oven-proof pot over medium heat. Add cardamom, clove, and cinnamon stick. Stir in chopped onions, and fry until golden brown. Stir in garlic and ginger. Stir in chicken pieces, and fry about 3 minutes. Stir in chili powder, and cook several minutes. Stir in tomatoes, and cook about 5 minutes. Mix yogurt with 3 tablespoons water and lemon juice; stir into sauce.
  3. Cover pot, and bake in a preheated oven until the sauce is somewhat thickened and concentrated, about 15 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, cook rice in enough salted water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook until it is half cooked, about 7 minutes. Drain rice, and stir into chicken and sauce. Stir in butter, season to taste with salt, cover pot, and bake 1 hour. Stir in mint and cilantro immediately before serving.
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REVIEWS

The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 2, 2006 by Ashwin
Considering that Biryani is totally a north Indian dish, I was intrigued by the title. I was... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Feb. 25, 2008 by KRANEY
Loved this! I cooked it a lot more simply (and faster), and would do that again. I didn't... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Sep. 17, 2007 by KPITTS1
My whole family really really enjoyed this dish. It wasn't too spicey for the picky kids but... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 8, 2007 by momar
I made this with ground kabob chicken meat which was too wet to stay together on the skewer. ... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 3 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 22, 2007 by royalewcheese
I rated this one the day after I made it and said that I thought the proportions were out -... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 2 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 24, 2006 by Sola
Sorry, but I just wasn't thrilled. The rice turned to mush and the overall flavor was just... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 1 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 22, 2008 by Roberta13
This was very bland. I live in an Indian neighborhood and have had excellent Biryani before... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 11, 2007 by UNALASKA2
Wow! My family loved this recipe. I followed the recipe as written, and while it did take a... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 14, 2007 by PICO79
Turned out good. Not sure how authentic a biryani this is though. I used biryani masala powder... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 2, 2005 by NICOL ZAHRA