Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, is a pride of Indian cuisine. Famous for basmati rice, juicy marinated chicken and spicy accented fragrances this dish unites families for big meals and holidays. The great thing about Hyderabadi Dum Biryani is that there exists this type of cooking that is slow cooking making the flavor profiles meld wonderfully with one another.
While preparing this dish at home seems a bit complicated, don’t worry—aladakshinapuramlo have organized all the steps for you so you could cook the best Hyderabadi Dum Biryani in your own kitchen.
Ingredients for preparing Hyderabadi Dum Biriyani:
In this dish, one secret magic that one should apply is to ensure that the ingredients are fresh and the rice used should not be newly bought basmati.
Here's what you will need for Marination:
- 500g long-grain basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes
- Bone in chicken (500 g) cut into pieces
- 1 cup thick curd
- 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp. cumin powder
- 1 tsp. coriander powder
- 2-3 green chillies (slit)
- Fried onions, 1/2 cup (youcan use store-bought or make them fresh)
- Freshly chopped coriander and mint leaves
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 tbsp oil
- Salt to taste
For Cooking the Rice:
- 2-3 green cardamom pods
- 2-3 cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- Shahi jeera (caraway seeds) –1 tsp
- Salt to taste
For Layering and Dum:
- 2 tbsp. ghee
- 1/2 cup fried onions (for garnish)
- 2 tbsp warm water + soaked saffron strands
- 3 tbsp rose water (or kewrawater)
- Fresh coriander and mint leaves
1. Marinate the Chicken
Marination is the first and most important step to prepare the rich flavour biryani. You whisk together chicken, curd, ginger garlic paste, spices, fried onion, green chillies, fresh coriander, mint, lemon juice, oil and salt in a large bowl. Make sure each piece of chicken gets coated in spices. Place the chicken in the freezer at least 2 hours, and preferably overnight. If you marinate your chicken for too long then it will become very tender and flavourful.
2. Cook the Rice
While the chicken is marinating, let’s begin to prepare the rice. Put enough amount water in a large pot, boil it, and once boiled add green cardamom, cloves, a bay leaf, cinnamon stick, shahi jeera and a pinch of salt. When water is boiling add soaked basmati rice. Cook until the rice is about 70% done (it’s firm to the bite).
3. Layering the Biryani
The biryani layering is an art now! Spread the marinated chicken evenly in a heavy-bottomed pot (or a biryani Handi). This forms the base layer. Place half of the partially cooked rice on top of the chicken. Then sprinkle a few more fried onions, fresh coriander, mint leaves, and saffron. Continue with the remaining rice, onions and herbs to make several layers of flavour and texture.
4. Dum Cooking (Slow Steaming)
The unique thing about Hyderabadi biryani is the Dum cooking method. Using a lid or dough to seal the pot tightly traps the steam. It should be cooked on low heat by placing the pot on a tawa (a flat griddle) till it is cooked for 30 to 40 minutes. The flavour from the chicken and rice cooks perfectly in its own juices and blending with the indirect heat.
5. The Grand Reveal
When biryani gets ready, it should be covered and let it rest for 10 minutes. They will be irresistible, aromas! Fluff rice gently with a fork or spoon so you don’t break long grains of rice. Eat it with a side raita, mirchi ka salon, fresh salad, etc.
Tips for the Perfect Biryani:
Quality Basmati Rice: The longer and aged basmati is the best choice for its rich aroma and non-sticky texture, making it ideal for the dish.
Fresh Spices: For best flavour, use whole spices rather than pre-ground ones. It also gets a lift from fresh coriander and mint.
Marination Time: Marinating the meat really does make a big difference—this is your juice and flavour chicken, yet stays juicy all the way through.
After following those steps, you will be able to make the Hyderabadi Dum Biryani flavour that your family will love it. This recipe is to make you bring right back to Hyderabad with a delectable feast, no matter if it’s a special occasion or a weekend treat!
Have you ever experimented with Hyderabadi Dum Biryani at home? Post your tips and give us a bit of feedback in the comments below!