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    Watch What U Eat > Indian Recipes > One Pot Easy Chicken Biryani Recipe

    One Pot Easy Chicken Biryani Recipe

    Published: May 12, 2016 · Modified: May 6, 2022 by Watch What U Eat · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

    Recipe Print
    Collage image of chicken biryani in a large platter.

    This easy chicken biryani is a one-pot healthy recipe. It is full of traditional flavors and very easy to prepare. If you like Indian spices and flavors, then you will love this authentic delicacy.

    Healthy chicken biryani rice in a large platter with sliced onion and yoghurt dipping on the side.

    For quite a long time I wanted to share this one-pot biryani recipe. Somehow every time I ran into various hurdles when taking pictures of this particular dish. Quite often, there was not enough sunlight to take photos. While at other times, I used to forget to purchase fresh cilantro, mint, etc., and so on… Finally, it worked out and I am very excited to share this one-pot easy chicken biryani with you.

    Biryani is our all-time favorite dish. And especially Tushar is a crazy fan of it. He is the one who always prepares Biryani for us. This recipe is an adaptation of his version. Though he prepares biryani in the classic style (which I find a little complicated), this time I asked him to try it in one pot with easy steps.

    Side view of one pot chicken biryani rice in a large platter and garnished with sliced lime.

    What Is Biryani?

    Traditionally, rice and chicken are partially cooked separately and then put together in layers to further cook them until fully done. This partial cooking step is crucial in getting the perfect biryani with fluffy rice and tender, juicy chicken. Some recipes say to cook rice until it is 70% done.

    How one can precisely determine when the rice is exactly 70% done (:P)? I am not very good at this. Therefore, I love simple and easy-to-follow recipes. What is great about this super simple and easy chicken biryani…

    • one pot
    • full of flavors
    • easy to prepare
    • filling
    • satisfying

    Top view of one pot chicken biryani rice in a large platter, garnished with sliced lime and served with sliced onion, yoghurt dipping on the side.

    How Is This Easy Chicken Biryani Healthy?

    This one-pot chicken biryani is healthy when compared to its classic version because…

    • It is prepared using skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Chicken is white meat and when used without skin, its cholesterol level reduces significantly.
    • It does not contain added butter or clarified butter which is very common in traditional recipes. Therefore, it is low in fat content.

    Raw chicken, plain yoghurt, salt, fresh herbs, lime and biryani masala for making biryani rice.
    Marinated chicken with biryani masala and yoghurt in a mixing bowl .
    One pot easy chicken biryani in a large pot with a napkin in the background. Image has text overlay that reads 'One Pot Chicken Biryani'

    More Biryani Variations And Indian Rice Dishes

    • Instant Pot Chicken Biryani
    • Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani
    • One-Pot Easy Vegetable Biryani
    • One-Pot Easy Palak Paneer Rice (Healthy Spinach Rice)
    • Browse All Indian Recipes
    Easiest one pot chicken biryani
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    4.86 from 7 votes

    One Pot Easy Chicken Biryani

    This one pot easy chicken biryani is full of traditional flavors & easiest to prepare.
    Course: Lunch / Dinner,Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 40 minutes
    Total Time 50 minutes
    Servings :4
    Calories :469kcal
    Author:Swati Kadam Gulati

    Equipment

    • Sharp Knife (10% Code: WATCHWHATUEAT)

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb skinless boneless chicken thigh or breast cut into 1-2″ pieces (preferably organic)
    • ¾ cup greek yogurt
    • 1 ½ cup long grain basmati rice (preferably Indian variety)
    • 2 tablespoon biryani masala
    • ½ lemon
    • 2 large onions sliced
    • 1 pieces tomato cut into 1" pieces
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 1 jalapeno cut into half (optional)
    • 1 ½ cup hot water
    • ½ cup loosely packed mint leaves finely chopped
    • ½ cup loosely packed coriander leaves finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
    • salt

    Instructions

    • Soak rice in warm water and set aside
    • In a medium mixing bowl add chicken, yogurt, biryani masala, lemon juice, salt and some of the chopped mint and coriander leaves. Mix it thoroughly to coat all chicken pieces with the marinade and set aside*
    • Heat oil in a large dutch oven on a medium to high heat. Add sliced onion and sauté it for about 8-10 min or until they caramelize*.
    • Add minced garlic, jalapeno and marinated chicken. Cook them on medium to high heat for about 10 min.
    • Drain water from the rice completely and add into the chicken.
    • Add remaining mint and coriander leaves, tomato, pinch of saffron and very hot water; mix to combine. Bring mixture to boil and then simmer on low heat for 20 min.

    Notes

    • For more flavorful results, marinate chicken for at least 30 min.
    • Caramelized onions gives nice flavors to the biryani. Make sure the onions are well caramelized.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 469kcal
    Tried this recipe?Tag us on Instagram @watchwhatueat or tag #watchwhatueat! OR leave us a comment & rating below. Your feedback is very important to us.
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    About Watch What U Eat

    We are Swati and Tushar, our passion for food and cooking has now led us to share some healthy, tasty recipes and the benefits of eating certain ingredients with the goal of inspiring you to eat well and live well.

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    Comments

    1. Grace says

      September 25, 2016 at 12:56 am

      I just made your recipe (I added almond slices and green peas) today and it turned out perfect!!! I just started learning/ cooking Indian food just a couple of years ago. And I thought biryani was very complicated to make. Your recipe is so simple and easy to follow and it turned out so well. I’m definitely planning to make it again. Thank you!!

      Reply
    2. Anne @ Domesblissity says

      May 25, 2016 at 4:04 am

      5 stars
      Hi Swati and Tushar! This is my kind of recipe. I love Indian food and even more, one pot easy dishes. I’m definitely trying this one. Thanks so much for linking up to Thriving on Thursdays. I’m featuring this one at tomorrow’s party. Hope to see you again.

      Anne @ Domesblissity

      Reply
    3. Charlene Asay says

      May 19, 2016 at 8:17 pm

      5 stars
      This looks and sounds amazing!

      Reply
    4. Ginger Wroot says

      May 19, 2016 at 2:55 pm

      5 stars
      This looks mouth-watering good. I love Indian-inspired dishes like this one. Pinned, and looking forward to making (and eating!) this one!

      Reply
    5. Pamela Shank says

      May 19, 2016 at 1:30 pm

      5 stars
      this looks like a dish my husband would love. I have not cooked with all of these ingredients previously but will try it for sure. It looks beautiful. Thank you

      Reply
    6. Tara says

      May 13, 2016 at 7:36 pm

      Beautiful biryani! I love that you made it in one pot.

      Reply
    7. Bree says

      May 13, 2016 at 4:28 pm

      5 stars
      Wow this looks SO yummy! I am definitely going to try this out.

      Reply

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