Chicken Biryani

Ingredients

• ½ kg (1.1 lbs) chicken ((skinless bone-in or boneless, large pieces such as thighs, drumsticks, legs or mix of all))
• 3 tablespoons plain yogurt ((curd or dahi))
• 1¼ tablespoons ginger garlic paste ((1 inch ginger & 4 garlic cloves crushed))
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• ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt ((adjust to tase))
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric
• ½ to 1 teaspoon red chilli powder ((or paprika) (use less spicy variety))
• ½ to 1 tablespoon garam masala ((or biryani masala) (Refer notes))
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice ((optional))
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• 1 bay leaf ((tej patta))
• 4 green cardamoms ((choti elaichi))
• 6 cloves ((lavang))
• 1 inch cinnamon ((dalchini))
• 1 star anise ((chakri phool ))
• ¾ teaspoon shahi jeera ((caraway seeds) (substitute with cumin))
• 1 strand mace ((javitri, omit if you don't like))
• 2 cups basmati rice ((aged rice only))
• 2 tablespoon ghee (or Oil)
• 1 large onion (sliced thinly)
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• ¼ to ½ cup mint leaves (chopped fine (about 15 leaves))
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• 1 green chili ((slit or chopped))
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• ¼ cup plain yogurt ((Indian curd))
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon red chili powder ((optional, for heat))
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• 1 teaspoon garam masala ((or biryani masala))
• 3 cups water ((3½ cups for pot) (refer notes, more if needed ))
• ¾ teaspoon salt ((to stir in water))
• 2 tablespoon fried onions ((optional))
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• 1 pinch saffron ((optional)(soaked in 2 tbsps hot milk))
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