Dinner

Chicken Biryani with Raisins, Spices, and Fresh Herbs Recipe

ByEthan Lark November 3, 2025November 3, 2025

Introduction

Chicken biryani is a fragrant and flavorful one-pot meal that brings together tender chicken, aromatic spices, and fluffy basmati rice. This recipe is perfect for home cooks seeking a comforting dish with a touch of exotic flair.

A white bowl filled with a yellowish rice dish that looks soft and fluffy, mixed with small pieces of light brown and beige nuts, possibly cashews, and sprinkled with thin, pale beige almond slices on top. There are vibrant green cilantro leaves scattered over the rice, adding fresh color. The bowl sits on a red wooden grid stand over a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

300g basmati rice
25g butter
1 large onion, finely sliced
1 bay leaf
3 cardamom pods
1 small cinnamon stick
1 tsp turmeric
4 skinless chicken breasts, cut into large chunks
4 tbsp curry paste (we used Patak’s balti paste)
85g raisins
850ml chicken stock
Chopped coriander and toasted flaked almonds to serve

Instructions

Step 1: Soak the basmati rice in warm water, then rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. Set aside to drain.
Step 2: Heat the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, bay leaf, cardamom pods, and cinnamon stick. Cook gently for about 10 minutes until the onions are soft and fragrant.
Step 3: Stir in the turmeric, then add the chicken pieces and curry paste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is aromatic and the chicken starts to brown.
Step 4: Add the soaked rice and raisins to the pan, mixing well to coat the rice with the spices and curry paste.
Step 5: Pour in the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a hard boil. Cover immediately with a tight-fitting lid, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 5 minutes.
Step 6: Turn off the heat and leave the biryani to steam in the covered pan for 10 minutes, allowing the rice to finish cooking perfectly.
Step 7: Remove the lid and gently stir through half of the chopped coriander. To serve, scatter over the remaining coriander and toasted flaked almonds.

Tips & Variations

If you have leftover rice, try making a Coronation chicken rice salad by mixing the cold rice with mayonnaise and a squeeze of lemon juice, then serving it with Baby Gem leaves and sliced cucumber.

Storage

Store any leftover biryani in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to restore moisture before serving.

How to Serve

A close-up image of a red round pot filled with yellow-colored rice mixed with chunks of vegetables and spices, topped with fresh green cilantro leaves and thin slices of almonds scattered on the surface. The rice looks fluffy with visible textures of grains and cooked vegetables, showing hints of brown from spices and herbs. The pot is placed on a red metal stand set on a white marbled surface, and in the top left corner, a white and red striped cloth is partly visible. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different chicken cuts for this biryani?

Yes, you can use chicken thighs or drumsticks if preferred. Adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace the chicken with a mix of vegetables such as cauliflower, peas, and carrots, and use vegetable stock in place of chicken stock for a delicious vegetarian biryani.