Classic Chicken Biryani for One

A fragrant and flavorful one-person chicken biryani that blends aromatic spices, tender chicken, and basmati rice into a perfect, comforting meal.

Steps

1. Rinse the basmati rice until water runs clear, soak for 20 minutes, then drain. 2. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, bay leaf, cloves, cardamoms, and cinnamon; sauté until fragrant. 3. Add sliced onions and sauté until golden brown. 4. Stir in garlic, ginger, and green chili; cook for 1 minute. 5. Add chicken pieces, turmeric, garam masala, and salt; cook until chicken is browned. 6. Mix in yogurt and cook for 5 minutes until chicken is tender. 7. In a separate pot, boil 1 cup water; add soaked rice and cook until 70% done. Drain. 8. Layer the chicken mixture at the bottom of the pot, then layer the partially cooked rice on top. 9. Drizzle saffron milk over the rice, sprinkle chopped coriander, mint, and fried onions. 10. Cover the pot tightly with a lid, cook on low heat for 20 minutes to let flavors meld. 11. Turn off heat, let it rest for 5 minutes, then gently fluff the biryani before serving.

100g chicken thighs, cut into pieces 1/2 cup basmati rice 1/4 cup plain yogurt 1 small onion, thinly sliced 1 garlic clove, minced 1/2 inch ginger, grated 1 green chili, slit 1 tbsp cooking oil 1/2 tsp cumin seeds 1 bay leaf 2 cloves 2 green cardamoms 1 small cinnamon stick 1/4 tsp turmeric powder 1/2 tsp garam masala A few strands of saffron soaked in 1 tbsp warm milk Salt to taste Fresh coriander leaves, chopped Fresh mint leaves, chopped 1 tbsp fried onions (optional)