Mughlai Biryani

Mughlai Biryani

Mughlai Biryani

The original Mughal layered biryani — lamb cooked in a thick korma gravy until almost done, then layered with saffron-soaked basmati, fried onions, and mint, sealed with dough for the final dum. Uses a stronger whole-spice profile and a higher meat-to-rice ratio than either the Lucknowi kachchi or Hyderabadi versions, reflecting the imperial origins before regional schools diverged.

Cuisines

Hyderabadi Mughlai Delhi

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Build a full meal around Mughlai Biryani

Get a matched combo of sides and accents

Recipe

Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Total: 60 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

basmati rice 2 cups Basmati rice
Chicken 300 grams Chicken , cut into pieces
Yogurt 1 cup Yogurt
ginger-garlic paste 2 tablespoons Ginger-garlic paste
Onion 2 Onion , thinly sliced
Tomato 1 Tomato , chopped
red chili powder 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
turmeric powder 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
garam masala 1 teaspoon Garam masala
Cumin 1 teaspoon Cumin , seeds
Bay Leaf 2 Bay Leaf
Clove 4 Clove
cardamom 4 Cardamom , green pods
cinnamon 1 stick Cinnamon
Cilantro 1/4 cup Cilantro , chopped
Mint 1/4 cup Mint , chopped
ghee 2 tablespoons Ghee
oil 2 tablespoons Oil
Saffron 1 teaspoon Saffron , strands
Milk 1/4 cup Milk , warm
salt Salt , to taste

Instructions

  1. 1 Wash and soak the basmati rice in water for 30 minutes.
  2. 2 Heat oil in a pan and fry the sliced onions until golden brown. Remove half for garnish.
  3. 3 Add cumin seeds, bay leaves, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon to the remaining onions in the pan. Sauté for a minute.
  4. 4 Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell disappears.
  5. 5 Add chicken pieces and cook until they are sealed on all sides.
  6. 6 Mix in yogurt, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, and salt. Cook until the chicken is tender.
  7. 7 Add chopped tomato and cook until it softens.
  8. 8 In a separate pot, bring water to a boil. Add the soaked rice and cook until it's 70% done. Drain the water.
  9. 9 In a small bowl, soak saffron strands in warm milk.
  10. 10 Layer half of the cooked rice over the chicken mixture in the pan.
  11. 11 Sprinkle half of the chopped coriander, mint leaves, and fried onions over the rice.
  12. 12 Layer the remaining rice and top with the rest of the coriander, mint, and fried onions.
  13. 13 Drizzle the saffron milk and ghee over the top.
  14. 14 Cover the pan with a tight lid and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes for the flavors to meld.
  15. 15 Serve hot with raita or a side salad.

Tips

For extra flavour, use whole spices in the oil first.