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Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani is a dish I grew up eating and enjoying. There are many versions of Biryani recipe out there, and I can’t recall eating a biryani that I didn’t like, but there is something magical about Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani, so let’s find out why this biryani recipe is the most popular one in India and a favorite of mine!

Hyderabadi chicken biryani served with glass of water on the side.

I have shared in previous posts the recipe for Delicious Lamb Biryani and another quick biryani recipe for Authentic Chicken Biryani both are mind-blowing and are full of flavor. I tend to crave Hyderabadi version more, and you’ll find out why!

Why Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani?

I guess the secret behind the irresistible taste is the caramelized onion combined with Ghee. As I mentioned in many posts before, when it comes to food, Indian people never compromise the flavor. Using fresh ingredients is the key.

Make sure that your spices are always stored properly to maintain freshness, although I have given the option of using oil in this biryani recipe; homemade Ghee is the best to use. Of course, the chicken will taste much better if it was organic.

Quality rice makes your biryani stand out; it absorbs the flavor of the spices and the biryani gravy. You can use Parboiled rice, I used it many times in making biryani, and it came out great.

Close image of Hyderabadi chicken biryani

How to make Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani

To make a good Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani, you will need to use fresh or organic chicken. Of course, you can use frozen chicken, but if you want the authentic flavor, you have to go with organic chicken. It will absorb the flavor better and stays juicy and tender when cooked.
For added flavor, you must use fresh spices. I keep my spices either in the fridge or freezer, I know this might sound strange, but the spices maintain its warmth and flavor for a longer time. Cumin, star anise, cardamom, black cardamom, turmeric, and another blend of spices are used in this recipe.
You have the option to use oil in this recipe, but if you are after the mind-blowing taste of authentic biryani then use Ghee. You can make it at home or get some from the store; it makes a lot of difference when is used in making Hyderabadi biryani and some pour a little over the rice in the last stage of assembling the biryani.
In the steps of making Hyderabadi biryani, you will have to caramelize the onion, which will also work on adding a hint of sweetness to this biryani recipe. The chicken gravy will also include fresh mint, green chili, and garlic.
The rice is aromatic and fluffy, thanks to the cardamom and anise seeds. The rice shouldn’t be 100% cooked if it is completely cooked it will absorb so much from the gravy and will turn mushy.

Many think that Biryani is one of the hard to make dishes, but the steps are easy to follow, and it doesn’t take much time to prepare. I guess that people get intimidated when they see the list of spices used and not the method of preparing the Biryani.

No marination needed

You don’t have to marinate the chicken in this version of Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani; this version is meant to be fast to make and carry the same awesome flavors found in the authentic recipe of Biryani. I couldn’t find much difference in taste when I marinated the chicken. Usually, yogurt is used when marinating the meat for the biryani recipe, it makes the chicken tender and juicy, but we will depend on the flavors coming from the caramelized onion and ghee in this recipe.

Hyderabadi chicken biryani with green chili on the side.

What is served with Hyderabadi chicken biryani?

Biryani is known to be on the spicy side, so it is mostly served with salads that have cucumber, and yogurt. You can try my Yogurt Chickpea Salad or Raita which is an Indian salad consists of yogurt, thinly sliced onion, salt, and black pepper.

More Indian Recipes You Should Try

Aloo Keema Dhaba Style. Ground meat with gravy and potatoes.

Butter Chicken Restaurant Style.

Punjabi Crunchy Beef Samosa.

Chicken Karahi Recipe.

This is not Indian recipe but If you like rice with spices you should try Kbasa.

📖 Recipe

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