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
|
2 cups | Basmati rice |
|
300 grams | Chicken , cut into pieces |
|
1 cup | Yogurt |
|
2 tablespoons | Ginger-garlic paste |
|
2 | Onion , thinly sliced |
|
1 | Tomato , chopped |
|
1 teaspoon | Red chili powder |
|
1 teaspoon | Turmeric powder |
|
1 teaspoon | Garam masala |
|
1 teaspoon | Cumin , seeds |
|
2 | Bay Leaf |
|
4 | Clove |
|
4 | Cardamom , green pods |
|
1 stick | Cinnamon |
|
1/4 cup | Cilantro , chopped |
|
1/4 cup | Mint , chopped |
|
2 tablespoons | Ghee |
|
2 tablespoons | Oil |
|
1 teaspoon | Saffron , strands |
|
1/4 cup | Milk , warm |
|
— | Salt , to taste |
Instructions
- 1 Wash and soak the basmati rice in water for 30 minutes.
- 2 Heat oil in a pan and fry the sliced onions until golden brown. Remove half for garnish.
- 3 Add cumin seeds, bay leaves, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon to the remaining onions in the pan. Sauté for a minute.
- 4 Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell disappears.
- 5 Add chicken pieces and cook until they are sealed on all sides.
- 6 Mix in yogurt, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, and salt. Cook until the chicken is tender.
- 7 Add chopped tomato and cook until it softens.
- 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 In a small bowl, soak saffron strands in warm milk.
- 10 Layer half of the cooked rice over the chicken mixture in the pan.
- 11 Sprinkle half of the chopped coriander, mint leaves, and fried onions over the rice.
- 12 Layer the remaining rice and top with the rest of the coriander, mint, and fried onions.
- 13 Drizzle the saffron milk and ghee over the top.
- 14 Cover the pan with a tight lid and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes for the flavors to meld.
- 15 Serve hot with raita or a side salad.
Tips
For extra flavour, use whole spices in the oil first.