Chicken Karachi Biryani Recipe

Karachi Biryani, a flavorful and aromatic dish, is a popular variant of the traditional biryani hailing from the vibrant city of Karachi, Pakistan. Known for its unique blend of spices, fragrant basmati rice, and succulent meat, Karachi Biryani celebrates a rich culinary heritage. This dish reflects Karachi’s diverse and vibrant culture, bringing together distinct flavors that make it a favorite among biryani enthusiasts.

Ingredients for Chicken Karachi Biryani Recipe:

These ingredients are easy to get and readily found in every supermarket. So, make sure to get each one of them. 

• 2 cups basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes
• 500g chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 cup fried onions (barista)
• 1/2 cup cooking oil or ghee
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped mint leaves
• 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
• 4 green chilies, sliced
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• Whole spices: bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves
• Salt to taste

Steps for Making Chicken Karachi Biryani:

Step 1:

Cook soaked rice until it’s 70-80% done. Drain and set aside.

Step 2:

In a separate pot, heat oil or ghee. Add cumin seeds and whole spices. Sauté until fragrant.

Step 3:

Add ginger-garlic paste and stir until golden. Add beef pieces and cook until they change color.

Step 4:

 Mix in yogurt, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Cook until the beef is tender.

Step 5:

 Layer half of the partially cooked rice over the beef. Top with chopped tomatoes, mint, coriander, fried onions, green chilies, and garam masala.

Step 6:

 Add the remaining rice as the top layer. Sprinkle fried onions, mint, and coriander on top.

Step 7:

Cover the pot tightly and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and aromatic.

Some Handful Tips:

•  Use good quality basmati rice for a fluffy texture.
•  Marinate the meat with yogurt and spices for at least 2 hours for enhanced flavor.

Besides that, a proper recipe is incomplete without a good raita. There are many ways by which Raita is prepared. However, you don’t have to stress yourself out. Let us introduce you to the best Raita option. 

 Cucumber Mint Raita Recipe:

Ingredients for making Cucumber Mint Raita:

• 1 cup yogurt
• 1/2 cup cucumber, grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• Salt to taste

Steps for Making Cucumber Mint Raita:

• Whisk yogurt until smooth.
• Add grated cucumber, chopped mint, cumin powder, and salt.
• Mix well and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.