Cheat One-Pan Biryani (Video)
Cheat One-Pan Biryani
Craving rich, fragrant Indian flavours without spending hours in the kitchen? This one-pan biryani brings all the warmth and spice of a traditional dish—minus the hassle. One pot, easy cleanup, and full-on flavour.
Explore more full videos on my YouTube channel @kateflowerfood
| DIETARIES | SERVES | PREP TIME | COOK TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| GF | DF | 4-6 | 10 MINS | 20 MINS |
INGREDIENTS
Biryani Spice Mix
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp ground cardamom
Chicken & Marinade
1 cup Greek yoghurt
6 chicken thighs, cut into 4–6 pieces each
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp tomato paste
½ cup crushed tomato
Rice
Pinch saffron threads
5 Tbsp milk, warmed
50g butter or ghee
3 bay leaves
2 cinnamon sticks
2 cardamom pods, bruised (optional)
2 cups basmati rice
3 cups chicken stock
1 tsp salt
To Serve (Optional)
Fresh coriander
Toasted almond flakes
Greek yoghurt
Lemon wedges
Mango chutney
METHOD
Toast spice mix in a dry pan until fragrant.
Combine spices with yoghurt in a large bowl, add chicken, and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 1 hour (or overnight).
In a large casserole dish, heat olive oil and cook onions until caramelised. Set aside half for topping.
In the same pan, seal marinated chicken until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
Soak saffron in warm milk for 15 minutes.
Add butter/ghee, bay leaves, cinnamon, and cardamom pods to the dish. Toast for 1 minute.
Stir in rice, saffron milk, and chicken stock.
Return chicken and marinade to the dish, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add tomato paste, crushed tomato, and salt.
Cover and simmer gently for 25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
To serve, top with reserved onions, fresh coriander, toasted almonds, and a spoon of Greek yoghurt.
What Makes It Special?
Shortcut, Not Short on Flavour: A simplified method that still brings that classic biryani taste.
One-Pan Wonder: Fewer dishes, more flavour. Everything comes together in a single pot.
Layers of Spice: Toasted spices and saffron-infused rice bring depth and warmth.
Comfort Food Upgrade: It’s hearty, aromatic, and guaranteed to impress family or guests.
Key Ingredients
Chicken thighs
Greek yoghurt
Homemade biryani spice blend
Saffron milk
Basmati rice
Crispy caramelised onions
Perfect For
A cozy weeknight dinner that feels like a celebration. Serve it straight from the pot with a dollop of yoghurt and chutney for a fuss-free feast.
Cook’s Notes
Serve this with a dollop of mango chutney or a cooling cucumber yoghurt raita.
Leftovers are even better the next day—just reheat gently with a splash of water.
Want to go veg? Sub the chicken for cauliflower florets and chickpeas!