Discover how to cook Hyderabadi Biryani with this simple, beginner-friendly recipe. Follow easy steps to enjoy royal flavors at home!
Are you craving that rich, royal, and mouthwatering Hyderabadi Biryani? Don’t worry—you don’t need to be a chef to make it at home. With this easy Hyderabadi Biryani recipe, you’ll master the flavors of Hyderabad in your kitchen. This guide is perfect for beginners who want to learn how to cook Hyderabadi Biryani step-by-step. Let’s begin!
📝 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 kg chicken (cut into medium pieces)
- 1 cup thick yogurt
- 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- Salt to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon
- A handful of chopped mint leaves
- A handful of chopped coriander leaves
- 3 green chilies (sliced)
- 2 tbsp oil
For the Rice:
- 500g basmati rice (long grain)
- Water for boiling
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cloves
- 2 cardamoms
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- Salt (as per taste)
For the Biryani Layers:
- Fried onions (from 3 large onions)
- A pinch of saffron soaked in ¼ cup warm milk
- 2 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, mix all the marinade ingredients. Add the chicken and coat it well. Cover and let it marinate for at least 2 hours. For best results, marinate overnight in the fridge.
Tip: Marination helps absorb all the authentic Hyderabadi flavors.
Step 2: Cook the Rice
Wash the rice and soak it for 30 minutes. In a large pot, boil water with salt and whole spices (bay leaf, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon). Add soaked rice and cook until it’s 70% done. Drain the rice and keep it aside.
Step 3: Fry the Onions
Thinly slice the onions and fry them in hot oil until golden brown. Drain and set aside. These crispy onions add that signature biryani flavor.
Step 4: Layer the Biryani
In a heavy-bottomed pot (or a Dutch oven), spread the marinated chicken at the bottom. Add half the cooked rice over the chicken. Sprinkle some fried onions, mint, coriander, and saffron milk. Add the remaining rice on top and repeat the layering.
Finish by drizzling ghee over the top.
Step 5: Cook on Dum (Steaming)
Cover the pot with a tight lid or seal it with dough. Place it on low heat (use a tawa or skillet under the pot) and let it cook on dum for 30-40 minutes.
Dum cooking helps the flavors blend beautifully and gives that real Hyderabadi taste.
Step 6: Serve Hot and Enjoy!
Gently mix the biryani before serving to get both rice and chicken in every bite. Serve hot with raita or salad.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
- Serve with cucumber raita
- Pair it with mirchi ka salan
- Add a slice of lemon and raw onions for that restaurant-style feel
🔥 Pro Tips for Perfect Hyderabadi Biryani
- Always use good quality basmati rice
- Don’t overcook the rice
- Fry onions until dark golden for deeper flavor
- Give enough time for marination
💬 Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to cook Hyderabadi Biryani at home, it’s time to surprise your family with your cooking skills. This traditional Hyderabadi biryani recipe brings authentic taste straight from Hyderabad to your plate.
Got questions? Drop them in the comments below. Happy cooking!
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