Chicken Biryani

I had some pieces of chicken leftover from the barbecue experiment which was very successful. While walking past the neighbours house after picking up veggies, we took in the aromas of biryani. Our neighbours are muslims and needless to say we were immediately temped. I immediately jumped at the idea of making chicken biryani. So without much adieu, here is how I made it.

Ingredients :
250 gms chicken boneless
2 potatoes - quartered(optional)
1 cup basmati rice - wash and soak in 1.5 cups of water
3 medium onions
1/2 medium tomato
5 tbsp oil
4 cloves
1 inch stick of cinnamon
1 star anise
1 piece of mace
2 green cardamom
1/2 tsp garam masala

For the marinade :
1 tbsp curd
1 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 handful of coriander leaves
1/2 handful of pudina/mint leaves
2 green chillies
3 inch piece of ginger
8 cloves of garlic

Garnish :
Fried onions
Fried cashews
Fresh chopped coriander leaves

How I made it :
1. Grind the coriander, mint, green chillies, ginger and garlic. Add this with the remaining items of the marinade. Mix in the chicken and potatoes and leave aside.
2. Heat the oil and fry the onions till they turn a dark golden brown. Take out half this quantity.
3. Add the cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, mace and star anise. Fry for a minute till fragrant.
4. Now add the chicken along with the marinade and potatoes.
5. Fry for about 5 minutes, taking care not to break the pieces.
6. Add the tomatoes and fry till cooked.
7. Now add the rice. Fry for a minute.
8. Add the water. Adjust salt.
9. Add 1/2 teaspoon of garam masala. Optional.
10. Cover and cook on low till rice is cooked to your liking. I had to sprinkle some warm water in between too.
11. Garnish with the fried onions which were taken out in step 2. You could add some fried cashews and fresh coriander leaves.
12. I served it with a fresh dill raita.