Quick and Lighter Chicken Biryani: aromatic, flavorful and extremely easy chicken biryani recipe that’s made using oil, brown rice, and yogurt. A perfect ‘Guiltfree’ version of your traditional biryani recipe.
‘Quick and Lighter Chicken Biryani’ is one of our all-time favorite recipes!
Friends, family, neighbors, you name it and everyone loves it but there’s just one catch, we don’t get to devour it as frequently because:
First of all, it takes really long to make it.
Secondly, it’s too heavy to eat on a regular basis (all that ghee, rice, and cream).
Aclinical study showed reduces cholesterol 2x more than extra virgin olive oil. To learn more about this claim, see Mazola.com.
That exactly what I started using and turned the traditional biryani into a Quick and Lighter Chicken Biryani a.k.a ‘ “Better-For-You” version – which also means a more frequent appearance in weekly meals.
Ingredients for Lighter Chicken Biryani:
Now, here are the 3 Ingredients we swapped in our Lighter Chicken Biryani from the Traditional Biryani –
Mazola® Corn Oil instead of ghee.
Yogurt instead of cream+butter.
Brown Rice instead of regular rice
Once we made that switch to Mazola® Corn Oil, we have not looked back and I’ve been using it in my everyday cooking.
It also has a smoke point (450°F) higher than most cooking oils and hence can be used for multiple types of cooking like stir-frying, sautéing, grilling or even baking.
Also, one very important factor for me using Mazola® Corn Oil is that it has a neutral taste and doesn’t impact the taste of any other ingredients used together.
Hence I get the best flavors out of every recipe and it can be used in both sweet or savory recipes which is such a relief.
How to Make Lighter Chicken Biryani
The pictorial below from the start to finish
Process to make lighter chicken biryani
Now, coming back to our Quick & Lighter Chicken Biryani, it’s extremely easy to make and tastes so flavorful, that you won’t miss swapping the brown rice.
Biryani can be made in many different ways and here I’m discussing two very simple methods, however, the ‘Chicken Mix/Curry’ part remains the same in both.
So once the Chicken curry/spice mix is read, then you follow either of the methods:
Chicken Biryani Method 1: – Layering –
This is pretty simple, you take the cooked chicken mix and add a layer of it in a deep pan.
Then you layer some cooked rice over this chicken mix and sprinkle some nuts too (optional).
Then you layer the chicken again and then layer the rice again till you reach the top.
Finally, sprinkle some nuts, sautéed onions, fresh mint leaves and keep it covered for 10 minutes.
Serve & Enjoy.
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Chicken Biryani Method 2: – Sauteeing –
This is the easiest of the two and all you have to do is take a large pan and add the cooked chicken.
Then, add the cooked rice, nuts, sautéed onions, mint leaves and saute everything until its mixed evenly.
You NEED to remember that this has to be done very lightly as you don’t want to break the rice or the chicken.
Saute everything for 5-6 minutes and then turn off the heat.
Serve & Enjoy.
Serving the Chicken Biryani: (Optional)
As Biryani is a complete meal, you don’t want any heavy sides with it, but any of these would do:
Light Salad
Indian Raita (Yogurt Dip)
Mint / Coriander Chutney
Papad / Poppadoms
Pickles
No matter which method you pick or choose, the results are going to be Fingerlicking Good every time!
So go ahead, make this Quick and Lighter Chicken Biryani using the Mazola Corn Oil, which is a 100% pure oil with no additives.
I’d also recommend using it for your day to day cooking as it brings out the great flavors of your food.
What a delicious meal and I bet you can’t tell that this is lightened up a bit. Such flavorful spices in this dish too. Adding this to my menu this week.
Hi Molly, back in the day I always used to order biryani when I went to an Indian restaurant. How wonderful to have so many shortcuts, tips and tricks all in one place!
Your Chicken Biryani looks incredible so colorful and full of flavor. This is one of my favorites from the Indian cuisine I hope to make it soon. Thanks for yoru participation on this shop.
20 Replies to "Quick and Lighter Chicken Biryani"
Jenni LeBaron February 26, 2018 (1:12 pm)
This looks wonderful. I love that it’s lightened up but still hearty and flavorful!
Molly Kumar February 28, 2018 (5:09 am)
Absolutely, Thanks.
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy February 21, 2018 (2:41 pm)
Wow!!!! Brown rice biriyani. I am officially impressed. Making these (but with vegetables) this weekend!
Molly Kumar February 21, 2018 (5:22 pm)
Thanks Tina and can;t wait for you to try the vegetarian version. This is really yummy 🙂
Sandra Shaffer February 20, 2018 (2:21 am)
What a delicious meal and I bet you can’t tell that this is lightened up a bit. Such flavorful spices in this dish too. Adding this to my menu this week.
Molly Kumar February 28, 2018 (5:53 am)
Thanks.
Helen @ Scrummy Lane February 20, 2018 (2:13 am)
Hi Molly, back in the day I always used to order biryani when I went to an Indian restaurant. How wonderful to have so many shortcuts, tips and tricks all in one place!
Molly Kumar February 20, 2018 (2:26 am)
I’m so glad you liked it 🙂
Sandi February 20, 2018 (12:42 am)
I can’t wait to try this lighter chicken biryani recipe!
Molly Kumar February 20, 2018 (2:23 am)
Thanks Sandi 🙂
Jeni @ Biscuits & Booze February 19, 2018 (10:02 pm)
That biryani looks sooooo tasty. I love a good biryani but I never make it at home. Now you have me craving it so I might have to!
Molly Kumar February 20, 2018 (2:26 am)
Thanks.
Jill February 19, 2018 (9:40 pm)
I’ve never tried a Chicken Biryani but the ingredients sound wonderful. I’m a fan of Mazola oil too!
Molly Kumar February 20, 2018 (2:25 am)
Thanks Jill.
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen February 19, 2018 (9:12 pm)
I’ve been loving flavors like this lately, looks delicious!
Molly Kumar February 20, 2018 (2:25 am)
Thanks.
Adriana Lopez Martin February 19, 2018 (8:57 pm)
Your Chicken Biryani looks incredible so colorful and full of flavor. This is one of my favorites from the Indian cuisine I hope to make it soon. Thanks for yoru participation on this shop.
Molly Kumar February 20, 2018 (2:24 am)
Thank you so much Adriana 🙂
Dannii February 19, 2018 (8:08 pm)
This is one of my favourite comfort food dishes and I love that you have lightened it up.
Molly Kumar February 20, 2018 (2:24 am)
Thanks Dannii