Wholesome & flavorful chicken & mixed vegetable biryani made in the Instant Pot…
Chicken veggie biryani is a dish that combines tender chicken, fragrant basmati rice, and a medley of vegetables and spices. It is a nutritious and flavorful one-pot meal that is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family dinner or a festive gathering.
One of the dishes I love making in the Instant Pot is biryani. It’s a perfect one-pot meal. I’ve tried making biryani with chicken, beef, mutton & veggies. This time I added both chicken & mixed veggies while making the biryani, which turned out delicious.
Chicken veggie biryani is a delicious and healthy dish that is sure to impress your family and friends. Its fragrant and complex flavors make it a favorite among both meat lovers and vegetarians. With its colorful array of vegetables, succulent chicken, and fluffy rice, this biryani is a perfect combination of taste, nutrition, and comfort.
- Chicken legs or bone-in pieces- 7
- Ginger-garlic paste- 1 tbsp
- Kashmiri chili powder- 1½ tsp
- Regular hot chili powder- 1 tsp (for more spice)
- Coriander powder- 1 tbsp
- Garam Masala- 1 tsp
- Fennel powder- 1 tsp
- Yogurt- 3 tbsp or ¼ cup
- Mint leaves, chopped- ¼ cup
- Cilantro, chopped- ¼ cup
- Salt- 1½ tsp
- Ghee- 2 tbsp
- Dried bay leaves- 2
- Onion, sliced thin- 1
- Green chilies, halved- 2 (optional)
- Tomato, chopped- 1
- Water- ½ cup (for cooking chicken)
- Mixed vegetables- 1 carrot diced, 1 potato diced, 1 beetroot diced, ½ cup peas
- Basmati Rice- 2 cups (soaked for 15 minutes)
- Garam masala- 1 tsp
- Water- ½ cup (for cooking rice)
- Mint leaves, chopped- ¼ cup
- Cilantro, chopped- ¼ cup
- Saffron- 10 strands
- Salt- 1¼ tsp
- I've taken chicken legs, any bone-in chicken pieces can be used.
- Using a sharp knife, score the chicken pieces or add 2 lines on the meat.
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken along with the above-mentioned ingredients 'for marinating chicken'. Combine well, let marinate for 30 minutes.
- In a bowl, soak the basmati rice in 2 cups water for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes of soaking, add the rice to a strainer, strain the water & rinse the rice under running water. Keep it aside.
- Turn on the Instant Pot. I'm using Instant Pot Ultra model, 6 quarts.
- Select Saute setting, temperature should be medium or normal- let hot sign display on the screen
- To the hot stainless steel pot, add 2 tbsp ghee & dried bay leaves, saute for a few seconds.
- Add onions, season with ½ tsp salt. Saute for 2 minutes till onions turn translucent.
- Ensure onions don't turn brown and the bottom of the stainless steel pot hasn't turned brown.
- Add green chilies & tomatoes, saute for a minute.
- Add the marinated chicken pieces and combine well.
- Add ½ cup water to the bowl used for marinating the chicken, there will be some marinade stuck to the bowl, combine well & add to the chicken.
- Combine everything well.
- Close the pot with the lid.
- Cancel saute setting.
- Turn on pressure cook setting, set time to 5 minutes at high pressure.
- It will take 5 minutes for the pressure to build and 5 minutes to pressure cook.
- After 5 minutes of pressure cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes & then do a quick pressure release.
- Open the lid.
- I've measured the liquid in the pot, there will be around 1¾ cups liquid in the pot.
- For cooking 2 cups rice, we have to add 2¼ cups liquid in the Instant Pot.
- Add additional ½ cup water to the pot (total liquid will be 2¼ cups)
- Add the mixed veggies, soaked & rinsed basmati rice, garam masala, ¾ tsp salt, saffron, mint leaves & cilantro. Combine well.
- Ensure the rice is completely immersed in the liquid.
- Close the pot with the lid.
- Select pressure cook setting, set time to 5 minutes at high pressure.
- After 5 minutes of pressure cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes & then do a quick pressure release.
- Open the lid, fluff the rice using a fork.
- If the rice is crisp, cover the stainless steel pot with the Instant Pot lid & let rest for 10 minutes, the rice will turn soft.
- Serve along with raita, pickle, pappad etc. It's finger licking delish!!!
