Chicken Biryani

 Chicken Biryani: Biryani is a flavorful and aromatic rice dish that is popular in many Muslim-majority countries. Here's a basic recipe for chicken biryani:

• Ingredients:

• 2 cups basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes and drained
• 500g chicken pieces, skinless and bone-in
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
• 2 green chilies, slit
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 4-5 whole cloves
• 4-5 whole cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon biryani masala (optional)
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro and mint leaves for garnish
• Fried onions for garnish (optional)
• Ghee or vegetable oil for cooking  

Instructions:

1. Heat ghee or oil in a large pot. Add the cumin seeds, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon stick. Sauté until fragrant.
2. Add the sliced onions and cook until golden brown.
3. Add the ginger-garlic paste and green chilies. Sauté for a few minutes.
4. Add the chicken pieces and cook until they are browned on all sides.
5. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, yogurt, turmeric powder, biryani masala (if using), and salt. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and the chicken is almost cooked through.
6. In a separate pot, bring water to a boil and add the soaked rice. Cook until the rice is 70-80% done. Drain and set aside.
7. Layer the partially cooked rice over the chicken mixture in the pot. Sprinkle some fried onions, fresh cilantro, and mint leaves on top.
8. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and cook on low heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the flavors have melded together.
9. Serve hot with raita (yogurt sauce) or your favorite salad.