Discover the Ultimate Shahi Biryani Recipe for a Royal Meal

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Serves: 4–5 people

Ingredients

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 500 g chicken (cut into medium pieces)
• 3 medium onions, thinly sliced
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• ½ cup plain yogurt
• 2 tbsp Zest Shahi Biryani Masala
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 4 tbsp cooking oil or ghee
• 1 tsp Zest red chili powder
• ½ tsp Zest turmeric powder
• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• 2 green chilies, slit
• ½ cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped
• ½ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Whole spices: 2 bay leaves, 4 green cardamoms, 4 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick
• Saffron strands soaked in 2 tbsp warm milk (optional)

Method

1. Wash and soak rice 30 minutes. Cook 70% done with whole spices. Drain.
2. Fry onions golden. Remove half for garnish.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste, tomatoes, yogurt, chili, turmeric, and Zest Shahi Biryani Masala. Cook. Add chicken and cook tender.
4. Layer rice and Zest chicken masala with herbs, chilies, lemon, fried onions. Top with rice. Add saffron if using.
5. Seal and cook on low 20–25 minutes.
6. Fluff and serve with raita or salad.

Notes / Tips

1. For extra aroma, add a pinch of Zest Garam Masala while layering rice.
2. Use basmati rice aged for at least a year for best texture.
3. Replace chicken with paneer or mushrooms for a vegetarian twist.