Spicy Chicken Biryani

Ingredients:

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 500g chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 2 tablespoons biryani masala
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 4 cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
• 1/4 cup chopped mint leaves
• 3 tablespoons ghee
• Salt to taste
• Water

Directions:

1. Wash and soak the basmati rice in water for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large pot, heat ghee and add cumin seeds, cloves, bay leaves, cardamom pods, and cinnamon stick. Saute until fragrant.
3. Add sliced onions and saute until golden brown.
4. Add chicken pieces, biryani masala, turmeric powder, salt, yogurt, and half of the chopped coriander and mint leaves. Cook until the chicken is partially cooked.
5. Layer the partially cooked chicken at the bottom of the pot. Top with the soaked rice.
6. Add water just enough to cover the rice. Cover and cook on low heat until the rice is cooked and the chicken is tender.
7. Garnish with the remaining coriander and mint leaves. Serve hot with raita and pickle.