Chicken and rice may be a gym-bro classic, but you deserve some serious flavour in your routine. This aromatic biryani is packed full of delicious spice while giving you 72g of protein.
- What is chicken biryani
- Can you meal prep chicken biryani?
- What cut of chicken is best for biryani?
- Can you reheat chicken biryani?
- Tips for making biryani
- Variations and add-ins
- What equipment is needed?
- Chicken biryani recipe
- FAQs
- Other chicken recipes
What is chicken biryani?
Chicken biryani is the ultimate choice if you want something a bit more interesting than plain chicken and rice. Originating from South Asia, biryani is always made with rice, while other ingredients like meat, vegetables and spices vary from region to region.
Can you meal prep chicken biryani?
Biryani is great for meal prepping. Incredibly easy to make and macro friendly, it’s a win-win for any plan. A batch should get you through much of the week.
What cut of chicken is best for this dish?
The chicken in this dish is cubed, so breast is recommended for best results, but you could use a similar cut like thigh.
Can you reheat chicken biryani?
Yes, it’s very easy to reheat, set your oven to 180 degrees for 15 minutes. Ensure that the chicken is hot outside and in before enjoying.
But you will need to store the rice correctly. Once you’ve made the batch, cool down the rice quickly, store in separate airtight containers, and put it in the fridge, ideally within an hour.
Tips for making biryani
- Marinate the chicken. This is a more important step than you may realise. The yoghurt tenderises the chicken, giving it a nicer texture when cooked, while the seasonings give it a deeper flavour.
- Prepare the rice. Rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking to remove the excess starch. This helps to keep the grains separate once cooked.
Variations and add-ins
- Add a little heat. Spice up the dish with some fresh chilli or chilli powder.
- Make it vegan. Replace the chicken with tofu or seitan and the Greek yoghurt with vegan alternatives.
What cooking equipment is needed?
- Saucepan for cooking the rice
- Small bowl for marinating the chicken
- Measuring cups for the marinade
- Teaspoon for the spices
Chicken biryani recipe
Chicken biryani
- Servings
- Serves 2
- Prep Time
- 10 minutes
- Cook Time
- 25 minutes
- Passive Time
- 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts (cubed
- 175 g low-fat Greek yoghurt
- 1 tbsp. crushed garlic
- 1 tbsp. crushed ginger
- 2 tbsp. salt
- 1 tbsp. black pepper
- 1 tbsp. smoked paprika
- 300 g rice
- 1/2 tsp. turmeric or saffron
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 1 onion (finely sliced)
- 3-4 cloves, cardamom & cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 tsp. garam masala
- 1 tbsp. tomato paste
- handful coriander leavess (to garnish)
Instructions
First, add the cubed chicken to a bowl and add the yoghurt, crushed garlic & ginger, smoked paprika, and season with salt and pepper. Mix well to combine and set aside.
Next, make the rice by adding it to a pan and covering with water. Add the salt and turmeric or saffron, stir and let cook through (to pack instructions).
Then heat a little olive oil in a pan over a high heat and add the sliced onion. Cook for 10 minutes or until really golden brown.
Add the cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon sticks to the pan with the onions, then remove from the pan and set aside in a bowl.
In the same pan, add the marinated chicken and cook for 8 minutes. Add the garam masala and tomato paste, mix well and then add the onions & rice back in too.
Give everything a final stir to combine well and then serve up. Sprinkle with fresh coriander and enjoy.
Nutritional info per serving:
| Calories | 560 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 9g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 56g |
| Protein | 72g |
FAQs
Can you freeze chicken biryani?
Yes, chicken biryani can be stored in the freezer in a sealed plastic container.
How long can it be frozen for?
To enjoy it at its best, freeze for up to one month. It can be stored for up to two months if needed.
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