Prerika

For the marination

• 500 grams Chicken , washed and cleaned
• 1/2 cup Curd
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi)
• 1 teaspoon Lemon juice
• Salt , to taste

For the green biryani masala

• 1/2 cup Coriander (Dhania) Leaves
• 1/4 cup Mint Leaves (Pudina)
• 4 Green Chillies

Other ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups Seeraga (Jeeraga) Samba rice , washed and soaked
• 2 tablespoons Sunflower Oil
• 1 Bay leaf (tej patta)
• 1 inch Cinnamon Stick (Dalchini)
• 2 Cloves (Laung)
• 1 Cardamom (Elaichi) Pods/Seeds
• 2 Star anise
• 2 Onions , thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Ginger , finely chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Garlic , finely chopped
• Salt , to taste

1. To begin making the Chicken Donne Biryani Recipe, thoroughly clean and wash the chicken pieces.

2. *For the marination

3. In a large mixing bowl combine the chicken, yogurt, turmeric powder, salt and lemon juice. Nicely massage the chicken for 5 minutes and then allow it to rest for a minimum of 30 minutes.

4. *For the green biryani masala

5. In a mixer-jar combine the coriander leaves, mint leaves, and green chilies and grind to a thick fine paste along with some water. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

6. To make the Donne Biryani, in a heavy bottomed pan, heat oil on medium flame, add all the whole spices including bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom and star anise, let this sizzle.

7. Once the whole spices have sizzled add ginger and garlic paste and the sliced onions, fry until the onions turn golden brown in colour. This will take about 5 minutes.  

8. Once the ginger-garlic-onion mixture has cooked well, add in the chicken pieces along with the marinade. Mix and continue to cook the entire mixture for 5-7 more minutes, stirring continuously.

9. Finally add in the freshly ground green biryani masala and washed and drained rice, 3 cups of water into the pan. Give the Chicken Donne Biryani a good mix and cover the pan. Turn the flame to the lowest heat.

10. In a saucepan, boil water and turn off the flame and place this hot pan on the lid of the kadai. This process is done in order to seal the kadai in which the Chicken Donne Biryani is cooking. The heat from the hot water in the saucepan provides heat from the top.

11. After 20-25 minutes open the lid to check if the chicken and rice is done. If its is done, lightly fluff up the Chicken Donne Biryani with a fork . Transfer the Donne Biryani into a serving plate and serve piping hot.