Authentic and flavorful chicken biryani ready to eat in an hour? Yes, it’s absolutely possible with an Instant Pot!
Instant Pot Chicken Biryani
This aromatic and mouthwatering chicken biryani is a family favorite. In fact, I think I like chicken biryani just as much – possibly more than Butter Chicken and that’s saying A LOT. But really, what’s not to love about perfectly seasoned chicken + rice in one pot?
I’m sharing this recipe for the most amazing Instant Pot Chicken Biryani from my cookbook, Indian Food Under Pressure. It’s a recipe that deserves to be on the blog because I believe that everyone should be able to make authentic and delicious chicken biryani in one pot if they want to. Think: tender pieces of chicken and perfectly cooked rice all coated in a perfect blend of spices. SO GOOD.
I LOVE biryani. I’ve been eating biryani all my life (now I won’t tell you exactly how long that is, ha) and have tried so many different types of biryani. I have already shared a Veggie Biryani, Egg Biryani, Shrimp Biryani, and a Lamb/Beef Biryani on the blog and am so happy to be adding chicken biryani to the list!
“I just made this recipe for the 3rd or 4th time…losing track now, but my wife and I absolutely love it. Perfect times, ratios, and proportions.”
Randolph
If you are familiar with biryani, then you know it typically takes a very long time to prepare and requires dirtying several dishes. With my recipe + your Instant Pot, you can make a one-pot recipe that is just as good as the traditional version and creates less mess! It takes just 10 minutes of prep time and can be ready-to-eat in under an hour.
This dish is easy enough to make on a weeknight and impressive enough to serve to your guests at a dinner party. So invite me over for dinner, won’t you? 😉
More Indian Recipes
Chicken Biryani Recipe (Instant Pot)
Chicken Biryani Recipe (Instant Pot)
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice soaked 15-30 minutes
- 3 tablespoons ghee
- ⅓ cup cashews halved
- 2 tablespoons golden raisins
Whole Spices
- 5 cardamom pods
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 bay leaf
- ½ cinnamon stick
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 onion thinly sliced
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 1 ½ pounds skinless and boneless chicken thighs cut into quarters
Ground Spices
- 2 teaspoons coriander powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves chopped
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves chopped
Instructions
- Soak the basmati rice in cold water for 15-30 minutes. Drain, rinse and set aside.
- Press the sauté button. Add the ghee to the pot. When it melts, add the cashews and raisins. Stir-fry until the cashews begin to turn golden. Remove the cashews and raisins. Set aside.
- Add the whole spices and stir. Once they begin to sizzle add the onions. Stir-fry for 6-7 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
- Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
- Add the chicken and stir-fry 6-7 minutes or until the outside of the chicken is no longer pink.
- Add the ground spices and mix to coat the chicken.
- Dump the rice on top of the chicken (do not mix). Add water.
- Sprinkle half the cilantro and mint on top of the rice.
- Secure the lid, close the pressure valve and cook for 6 minutes at high pressure.
- Naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. Open the valve to release any remaining pressure.
- Discard the whole spices. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro and mint and garnish with the ghee-coated cashews and raisins.
Video
Notes
- I love this brand of basmati rice – the rice grains are always perfectly cooked!
If you love my chicken biryani, then be sure to check out my Instant Pot Cookbook: Indian Food Under Pressure for more tasty Indian recipes!
Rune says
This was excellent- thank you! Not sure how many it was meant to serve, but here it was only 2. Had hoped for leftovers 😉
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Glad you liked it, Rune!
bahar says
i really love it , thank you Ashley
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
So glad to hear that! 🙂
Kishen says
Flavour is awesome but my chicken was moist but falling to bits (not much texture), could this be as I overcooked it while browning or or as the pieces were too small for this cooking time? Thanks
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Hi Kishen, it could be that the pieces were small – you can always leave them larger and cut them yourself once it’s done if you prefer larger pieces.
Linda says
Tried it last night and it was lovely! If I double the quantity of chicken and rice should I also double all the spices? Don’t want to get it wrong as serving for a dinner party. Also do you think a few small tomatoes would be a safe addition x
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Linda, so glad to hear that! Yes, double all of the ingredients but keep the cook time the same. I think a few small tomatoes will be fine if you’d like to add them.
Elane says
I have made a few of your recipes. they turn out really well. in fact they are lovely. why buy ready made sauces make from scratch more healthy. making this tonight. on the stove top. I don’t have a instant pot. I just adjust the times thing cooks.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Elane, that’s so nice to hear, thank you 🙂 Glad you’re enjoying my recipes!
Chrissy says
I am so excited to try this. My question is, can I double the recipe?
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Chrissy, yes you can double it! Let me know what you think 🙂
Ruchi says
Five-star recipe!! Amazing flavor!! Restaurant quality!! This one’s going into regular rotation at our home, for sure 😉
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Thanks, Ruchi! I’m so glad you like this recipe 🙂
Ash says
I often get ‘Burn’ notification while cooking this, do you think it helps if I pour water along the edges after putting rice, or just pour it from the top.
Rune says
Do you deglaze the bottom before adding the rice? I saw it burned a bit, so deglazed with a tiny bit of water and then added the rice and remaining water.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
If needed then yes, always deglaze if there is anything stuck at the bottom.