Recipe: Laziza Chicken Biryani

At the IITF where I was hunting for Shaans Memoni Mutton Biriyani mix, I first saw this other Pakistani stall named Laziza. I had never heard of them before, but being willing to try anything, I bought one packet of Laziza Biryani Masala Mix from them too.

Ingredients:
2 chicken legs + thighs (about 1/2 kilo)
1 pack Laziza Biriyani mix
500 gms basmati rice - washed and soaked for 15-30 minutes
3 medium onions sliced
3 medium tomatoes cut into circles
200 gms potatoes cut into big chunks
1/2 cup curd/yoghurt
salt to taste
small bunch mint and corriander leaves chopped fine
2-3 green chillies slit long
1 tsp ghee + oil (since chicken doesn't have much fat like mutton, I do use a little ghee)

Method:
Heat the ghee + oil in heavy bottom pan
Fry the onions in it till translucent.
Add the meat, potatoes, curd, chillies and Laziza biriyani masala.
Cook the meat until done and let it have a little liquid in it.

Cook the rice in salted water (you can add a stick of cinnamon and star anise to the water if you like) till 3/4 done. Drain.

Put the meat at the bottom of the dish.
Cover with a layer of tomato rings and the chopped mint and corriander (reserve some for garnish)
Layer the semi cooked rice on top of it. (don't mix)
Garnish with the remaining mint and corriander.
Cook on dum or finish in an oven.

Sprinkle deep fried onions on top before serving and serve by spooning both layers onto a plate.

Optional shortcuts:
The meat can be marinated in the yoghurt and Laziza biriyani mix the night before or even earlier and taken out just when ready to cook.

The method detailed above is slightly more labour intensive. When I'm in a hurry, I just cook it altogether.

Cook the meat till 3/4th doneness in an open pressure cooker.
Layer the tomatoes, corriander and mint.
Add the soaked basmati rice and adjust water levels.
Close the cooker and cook for 3 whistles.
Let the pressure release on its own before opening.

While I do mention Laziza biriyani mix in this recipe, you can use any biriyani masala with this recipe. If your biriyani masala does not have any ginger in it, you may like to add a tsp of ginger paste before adding the meat to the onions.

I sometimes cook the onions and chopped tomatoes together instead of layering the tomatoes

Serve hot with Raita