Ambur Chicken Biryani

Ambur biryani is the legendary dum biryani from Ambur, Tamil Nadu – cooked with seeraga samba rice, a short-grained aromatic variety, and deeply marinated chicken. Lighter than Hyderabadi biryani but intensely flavourful, this is considered one of India top biryanis.

⏱ Prep: 30 mins🍳 Cook: 60 mins⌛ Total: 90 mins🍕 Serves: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 kg chicken, cut into pieces
  • 2 cups seeraga samba rice (or basmati), soaked 30 mins
  • 3 tbsp Precious cold pressed groundnut oil
  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tomatoes, chopped
  • 1.5 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 cup thick curd
  • 2 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 2 tsp coriander powder
  • 4 green chillies, slit
  • 1 cup mint leaves
  • 1 cup coriander leaves
  • Whole spices: bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, star anise
  • Salt to taste
  • Ghee for finishing

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Marinate chicken with curd, ginger-garlic paste, red chilli, turmeric, coriander powder, and salt for at least 2 hours.
  2. Fry onions in oil until crispy golden. Remove half for layering.
  3. In same oil, add whole spices, green chillies, and remaining onions.
  4. Add tomatoes and cook until soft. Add marinated chicken and cook on high for 5 minutes.
  5. Lower heat, cover and cook chicken for 20 minutes until 80 percent done and gravy thickens.
  6. Cook rice separately in boiling salted water until 70 percent done. Drain.
  7. Layer half the rice over the chicken masala. Add fried onions, mint, and coriander.
  8. Layer remaining rice. Drizzle ghee. Seal the pot with dough or tight foil.
  9. Cook on dum (very low heat) for 20-25 minutes. Rest for 10 minutes before opening.
  10. Gently mix and serve with onion raita and brinjal curry.
Chef's Tip: Precious cold pressed groundnut oil is the traditional fat for Ambur biryani – the subtle peanut aroma complements the seeraga samba rice. Never skip the dum step; it is what makes the biryani truly fragrant.

Cook with authentic cold pressed oils — the difference is in every bite.

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Suren

Written by

Suren

Suren is the co-founder of KN Agro Concepts and the creator of Precious cold-pressed oils. Based in Tamil Nadu, he has spent years working directly with traditional Mara Chekku wood-press artisans to bring authentic, chemical-free oils from Coimbatore to health-conscious families across India. He writes about cold-pressed oil, traditional Indian food practices, and the science of natural nutrition.

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