May 31, 2007
4
reviews
Rate & Review

Thai-Style Chicken Biriyani

Although this dish is traditionally made with a whole, cut-up chicken, we've found that thighs and drumsticks work just as well. This recipe is an adaptation of one in Nancie McDermott's seminal cookbook Real Thai (Chronicle Books, 1992).
Print Save Recipe
Thai-Style Chicken Biriyani Credit: James Oseland

1 1⁄2 tbsp. ground coriander
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground turmeric
1⁄2 tsp. freshly ground white pepper
6 shallots, roughly chopped
5 cloves garlic
1  5" piece fresh peeled ginger, roughly chopped
Salt
6 skinless chicken thighs, halved crosswise through
   the bone
6 skinless chicken drumsticks
2 tbsp. peanut oil
2 1⁄2 cups jasmine rice
2 kirby cucumbers, trimmed and thinly sliced
Thai-style chile sauce, such as Sriracha

1. In a blender, combine coriander, cumin, turmeric, pepper, shallots, garlic, ginger, 1 tsp. salt, and 1⁄3 cup water; purée to a paste. Toss chicken and spice paste together in a large bowl to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature to let marinate for 1 hour.

2. Heat oil in a large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken and all the spice paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until paste is deeply caramelized and chicken is just beginning to brown, 12–14 minutes.

3. Add rice and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1–2 minutes. Add salt to taste and 2 1⁄4 cups water; bring to a boil while stirring occasionally. Cover pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until rice is just tender and chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Remove pot from heat and let sit undisturbed for 15 minutes. Uncover and, using a fork, gently toss together the chicken and rice. Serve immediately with cucumbers and chile sauce on the side.

SERVES 4 – 6

Thai-Style Chicken Biriyani

This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #103

Ratings & Reviews (4)

noAvatar

 we're working our way through a twenty pound bag of rice that i bought at costco, so we've been making a lot of similar rice dishes.  this is easily the best we've made so far.  the sriracha just finishes it perfectly.  

noAvatar
What is a Kirby cucumber? Is it just the regular ubiquitous cucumber that is found in most supermarkets?
noAvatar
i thought it was lovely. delicate favours my family would enjoy. easy to half and i used breasts, along with legs. a splash of lemon at the end just put it over the top. nice.
noAvatar
Kirby cucumber This short, versatile cucumber is used for both slicing and pickling. It's small, with bumpy yellow or green skin. Like the English cucumber, it has a thin skin and inconspicuous seeds. Substitutes: burpless cucumber (much larger)
The Cook's Thesaurus
Thai-Style Chicken Biriyani 5 5 1 4

Your Rating & Review

Please log in to leave a comment. Not a member yet? Sign up here.