Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani

onions (yellow, sliced vertically, 330 g)

peanut oil ((330 g))

chicken (cut and clean, 675 g)

to 3/4 cup yogurt (reduced fat, thick, 150 g)

ginger garlic paste ((or grated ginger and garlic))

to 1 teaspoon salt ((adjust per taste))

chili powder ((see note 2))

turmeric (ground )

chili pepper ((jalapeno, serrano or cayenne) adjust per taste)

cinnamon stick

black cardamom

green cardamom

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bay leaf (large)

black caraway seeds ((shahjeera))

black pepper

basmati rice (long grain, 350 g)

to 3/4 teaspoon salt ((adjust per taste))

olive oil

Whole spices ((optional - 1 black cardamom, 2 green cardamom, 3 cloves, 1 small bay leaf, half cinnamon stick) )

lemon juice

cilantro (fresh, chopped )

mint (fresh, chopped )

to 1 teaspoon saffron ((ground and dissolved in 2 tbsp hot water))

ghee ((optional))