Ingredients

• 3 cups long grain basmati rice, soaked in (cold) water for 20 mins.
• 2 ½ lbs. chicken (or 1 ¼ kilos)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 5 cardamom pods
• 2pcs. Cinnamon
• ¼ cup plain yogurt
• 1 tsp saffron
• ¼ cup hot milk
• 2 large onions, finely chopped
• 3 bay leaves
• ½ tsp black peppercorns
• 3 cloves
• ¼ tsp nutmeg, grounded
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 4 tbsp pistachios (unsalted)
• 5 tbsp almonds, sliced
• 3 tbsp raisins
• 1 ½ tsp red chili powder
• 1 tbs garam masala powder
• 15 fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
• 6pcs. Garlic, crushed
• Oil
• Salt to taste

1. Soak the saffron in the hot milk for 15 mins.
2. Take the fennel and cumin seeds, pistachios and garam masala and grind.
3. Add the paste to the yogurt and whip.
4. Heat in a large pan about ¼ cup of oil. Fry half of the onions until brown.
5. Remove from the pan and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
6. Using the same pan, put in the almonds and raisins. Fry these until almonds turn golden brown.
7. Add the bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, cardamoms, nutmeg and peppercorns. Cook for a couple of minutes.
8. Add the garlic and the remaining onions; fry until they turn brown.
9. Add the whipped yogurt mixture and stir well for 2 minutes.
10. Put in the chicken and chicken broth. Season with salt to your taste and mix well.
11. Cover and cook for 15 mins. or until the chicken is half-cooked and gravy becomes thick.
12. Add mint leaves.
13. Boil rice over medium heat with 5 cups water & 1 tbsp of oil.
14. Drain rice using a colander.
15. Then transfer chicken gravy into a large casserole and spread the rice on top.
16. Pour the milk (where the saffron was soaked) over.
17. Garnish with the fried onions, raisins, and almonds.
18. Cover the top with aluminum foil and replace the lid.
19. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
20. Reduce heat to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for another 15 minutes.
21. Turn off the oven but let the casserole remain inside for 5 more minutes.
22. Serve with any mint, raita or coriander chutney.