CHICKEN AND VEGETABLE BIRYANI RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat a large sauté pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add chicken to pan; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook chicken 8 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Remove from pan. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion, ginger, and garlic; sauté 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add cumin, coriander, turmeric, pepper, and cardamom; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add rice; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add 1 1/2 cups water, scraping pan to loosen browned bits; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes or until rice is almost tender. Add additional 2 tablespoons water, if needed. Stir in chicken, cauliflower, and 3/4 teaspoon salt; cover and cook 10 minutes. Stir in peas, yogurt, and butter; cover and cook 10 minutes or until rice is tender.

Steps:

• Marinate diced chicken in 1/2 cup yogurt, cumin, cinnamon, and pinch of salt for at least 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350°F Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add rice and simmer for 30 minutes; drain well.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large ovenproof pot over medium high heat. Add chicken, and sauté until almost cooked through. Add garlic, onion, ginger, half of the cashews, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring often and adding a splash of water when the mixture sticks to the pot, until deep golden brown and soft, about 15 minutes. Add remaining yogurt and curry powder and cook until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes more. (Depending on consistency, you may need to add a couple extra spoonfuls of yogurt at this time.) Stir in vegetables, broth, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, cover and simmer until vegetables are tender on the outside but not cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat and stir in frozen peas. 

Arrange hot, drained rice over vegetables, cover pot with foil and a tight-fitting lid and bake until rice and vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes. Uncover, carefully transfer contents of pot to a large bowl and toss together gently. Spoon into bowls and serve garnished with remaining cashews.