Chicken Biryani

• 1 1/2 cups basmati rice, rinsed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 5 whole cardamom pods
• 2 -3 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 onions, sliced
• 4 (6 ounce) chicken breasts, cubed
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 5 cardamom pods, seeds removed and ground
• 1/4 teaspoon ground chile
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh ginger
• 1 lemon, juice of
• 4 tomatoes, sliced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2/3 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron thread, soaked in 2 Tablespoons hot milk
• 2/3 cup water
• 3 tablespoons toasted slivered almonds, for garnish
• fresh cilantro stem (to garnish)
• plain yogurt, to serve

1. Preheat the oven to 375u0b0F.
2. Bring a pan of water to a boil and add the rice, salt, cardamom pods, cloves and cinnamon stick; boil for two minutes and then drain, leaving the whole spices in the rice.
3. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onions for about 8 minutes, until browned.
4. Add the chicken, followed by the ground cloves, cardamom, chilies, cumin, coriander, black pepper, garlic, ginger and lemon juice; stir-fry 5 minutes.
5. Transfer the chicken mixture to a casserole and lay the sliced tomatoes on top.
6. Sprinkle on the cilantro, spoon on the plain yogurt and top with drained basmati rice.
7. Drizzle the saffron and milk over the rice and pour on 2/3 cup water.
8. Cover tightly and bake in the oven for 1 hour.
9. Transfer to a warmed serving platter and remove the whole spices from the rice.
10. Garnish with toasted almonds and freshly chopped cilantro and serve with plain yogurt.

basmati rice, salt, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon, vegetable oil, onions, chicken breasts, ground cloves, cardamom pods, ground chile, ground cumin, ground coriander, fresh ground black pepper, garlic, fresh ginger, lemon, tomatoes, fresh cilantro, plain yogurt, saffron thread, water, almonds, cilantro, yogurt

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/chicken-biryani-3116 (may not work)