Chicken Dum Biryani (Authentic Mughlai Layered Biryani)
A classic Indian celebration dish made with marinated chicken, fragrant basmati rice, and the traditional dum cooking method.
Prep. : 20 minutes (plus marination)
Cook. : 45 minutes
Total Time :
1 hour 5 minutes
Cuisine : Indian
Servings : 4–6 people
🥕 Ingredients
🍗 For the Chicken Marination
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1 kg Chicken (bone-in preferred)
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3 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste
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¼ cup Yogurt (dahi)
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Salt, to taste
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½ tsp Black pepper powder
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½ tsp Turmeric powder
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2 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
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2 tsp Coriander powder
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1 tbsp Homemade biryani masala
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1 tbsp Chicken masala
🌶 The Fresh Garlic-Chili Crush
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7–8 Garlic cloves
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3 Green chilies
🧈 For the Masala Base
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½ cup Ghee
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1 tsp Cumin seeds
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1-inch Cinnamon stick
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2–3 Bay leaves
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4–6 Cloves
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4–5 Green cardamom pods
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2–3 Black cardamom pods
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6–8 Black peppercorns
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3–4 Fried onions (birista)
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2–3 Potatoes, halved
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3 Tomatoes, chopped
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Handful fresh coriander, chopped
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Handful fresh mint leaves, chopped
🍚 Rice & Aromatics
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1 kg Extra-long grain basmati rice (soaked 30 mins, 80% cooked)
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2–3 tbsp Ghee
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3 tbsp Rose water
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3 tbsp Kewra water
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Pinch saffron soaked in ¼ cup warm milk
🍳 Method
1️⃣ Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, combine chicken with ginger-garlic paste, yogurt, and all dry spices.
Mix thoroughly, cover, and rest for at least 10 minutes (ideally 3–4 hours refrigerated).
2️⃣ Prepare the Masala Base
Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed handi.
Add cumin, cinnamon, bay leaves, cloves, cardamoms, and peppercorns. Let them release aroma.
Crush garlic and green chilies coarsely using a mortar-pestle and sauté briefly.
Add fried onions, then the marinated chicken.
Sauté on medium-high for 5–7 minutes until lightly seared.
Add potatoes, tomatoes, coriander, and mint.
Cover and cook for about 10 minutes until chicken is nearly cooked and ghee separates.
3️⃣ Layer the Biryani
In a clean heavy pot, spread a little ghee at the base.
Add a layer of 80% cooked basmati rice.
Spread chicken masala and potatoes evenly over it.
Sprinkle mint and coriander.
Repeat layers, finishing with rice on top.
Drizzle saffron milk, rose water, kewra water, and ghee.
Garnish with fried onions, mint, and coriander.
4️⃣ Dum Cooking
Seal the pot with wheat dough for an airtight lid.
Cook on very low flame for 20 minutes.
Turn off heat and rest for 10 minutes before opening.
💡 Tips
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Wash rice until water runs clear to keep grains separate
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Rice should be slightly al dente before layering
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Searing potatoes enhances flavor absorption
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Always allow resting time before serving
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Low flame is critical during dum process
A Little More About This Dish
There is nothing quite like the aroma of Chicken Dum Biryani wafting through the kitchen to gather everyone at the table. This iconic Indian rice dish combines succulent marinated chicken with long-grain basmati rice, layered and slow-cooked using the traditional dum method. Every grain absorbs the richness of saffron, ghee, and whole spices, creating a truly restaurant-quality experience at home.
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