Vijayawada Biryani Recipe: Unlock the Flavors of a Masterpiece

This flavorful Vijayawada Biryani recipe is a unique mixed rice dish from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Unlike the famous Hyderabadi Biryani, this biryani recipe has regional variations that use different spices and ingredients, such as star anise, fried peanuts, and green chilies, to give it an extra flavor and spice level.

Vijayawada Chicken Biryani is a dish with cultural significance, particularly in the state of Andhra Pradesh, where the city of Vijayawada is located. The dish is cooked with boneless chicken pieces that are marinated in lemon juice and a blend of Indian spices to create spicy and tender chicken. To make the dish, the rice is cooked separately and then layered on top of the chicken, along with fried onions, and fried peanuts. It is typically served as a main course in Indian restaurants and is famous for its delicious and unique flavor.
You can trace the origin of Vijayawada Chicken Biryani back to the city of Hyderabad in India, where the famous Hyderabadi Biryani recipe originated. The biryani recipe was then adapted and modified to suit the local taste of the city of Vijayawada in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The recipe typically includes a mix of Indian spices such as red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and garam masala powder. Occasionally, shahi jeera and fennel seeds are added. Sometimes, whole spices like green cardamoms, star anise, and bay leaf are also added to the mix. The chicken is marinated in lemon juice and spices before being cooked with chopped onions, tomato purée, and garlic paste. Fried chicken pieces or boneless chicken pieces are then added to the mixture, which is then layered with long-grain Basmati rice and cooked on medium heat until the rice is fluffy and the chicken is tender.
While the dish is traditionally made with chicken, regional variations include veg biryani made with Indian cottage cheese or paneer cubes. No matter how you make it, this is a flavorful and spicy dish that can be adjusted to suit individual spice preference levels. The dish is also often served with sides such as Paneer Butter Masala, Chicken Curry, or Butter Chicken to add extra flavor. The recipe has been passed down through generations, with many families having their own authentic recipe. It is cooked with lots of love and is a staple in Andhra restaurant-style cuisine.
Ingredients List For Vijayawada Chicken Biryani

Chicken marination ingredients
You need ginger-garlic paste, chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, thick yogurt or curd, salt, and lemon juice to marinate boneless chicken cubes.These ingredients contribute to the flavor and tenderness of the chicken. The ginger-garlic paste adds a pungent aroma and flavor, while the spices such as chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala powder give the chicken a rich and complex taste. The yogurt and lemon juice help to tenderize the chicken.
Rice ingredients
Whole garam masala, curry leaves, and green chilies impart a fragrant aroma, while the salt adds flavor to the rice. The rice is cooked in water, which helps to give it a fluffy texture. These ingredients combine together to make the most aromatic par-boiled rice.

Other ingredients
You also need a few other ingredients for masala and garnish etc. Fried onion adds a crispy texture and a sweet flavor to the biryani. Saffron milk gives the dish a distinct aroma, color, and flavor. Cumin seeds, ginger-garlic paste, and spices such as turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala powder give the dish a rich and complex taste, while yogurt and egg help to thicken the sauce and add a creamy texture. Ghee adds richness and a buttery flavor, while corn flour helps to bind the sauce. The coriander and mint leaves add freshness and a pleasant aroma to the dish during the final dum.
Step By Step Instructions For Vijayawada Chicken Biryani
Marinate the chicken
Firstly, in a bowl, mix 400g boneless cubed chicken with 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1 tsp garam masala powder, 2 tbsp thick yogurt, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp lemon juice.

Then cover with cling wrap and set aside for 1-2 hours.

After 2 hours, add 1 egg and 3 tbsp corn flour to the marinated chicken and mix well.

Deep fry the chicken in hot oil until golden brown and crispy.

Then remove from the oil and keep aside.

Prepare the rice
Soak 2 cups of long-grain Basmati rice in water for 20 minutes.

In a pot, add 5 cups of water, whole garam masala, curry leaves, and salt.

Bring to a boil, then add the soaked rice. Cook the rice until it is 70% soft.

Drain the rice and set aside.
At the same time, soak some saffron strands in a little milk for a while.

This will result in an aromatic, colorful liquid which you can use as a natural substitute to artificial coloring for that beautiful biryani color.

Fry the onion
In a pan, heat oil and fry 2 cups of sliced onion until golden and crisp.

Remove from the oil and set aside.
Prepare the biryani mixture
In a large pan, heat 1/4 cup of oil.
Add 1 cup of chopped onion and fry for 2 minutes.

Add 1 tbsp of ginger-garlic paste, chopped tomatoes, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp red chili powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, and 1 tsp garam masala powder or biryani masala.

Fry the spices until fragrant and the tomatoes are soft.
Then add 1/2 cup of yogurt and the fried onion, and mix well.

Now add the fried chicken pieces and cook for a minute.

Add coriander and mint leaves and mix well.

Assemble the biryani
Take out half of the chicken gravy and spread it evenly at the bottom of a large pot or deep pan.
Then add a layer of boiled rice on top of the chicken gravy.

Drizzle some saffron solution over the rice.

Sprinkle some fried onion, coriander, and mint leaves on top of the rice.

Repeat the layering with the remaining chicken gravy, rice, saffron solution, fried onion, and coriander and mint leaves.
Then cover the pot or pan and cook on low heat for 20 minutes.

Serve
Once the biryani is cooked, remove the lid and mix everything gently.

Now serve hot with raita or salad. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions For Vijayawada Chicken Biryani

You can serve this biryani in many ways. For instance, you can serve the biryani with a side of raita or pachadi, a refreshing yogurt-based condiment. Another option is to serve the biryani with a fresh salad of sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and lemon wedges. Additionally, you can serve the biryani with some crispy papad on the side. You can also serve Indian pickles such as mango, lime, mixed vegetable, or garlic on the side. If you have some extra fried chicken from the recipe, you can also serve it on the side as a snack or appetizer. Garnish with some lemon wedges and fresh coriander leaves. Lastly, end your meal on a sweet note by serving some Indian desserts such as bombay halwa, ras malai, or kulfi. These desserts are rich, creamy, and perfect to balance out the spicy flavors of the biryani.
Storage Instructions
To ensure the longevity of Vijayawada Chicken Biryani, proper storage is crucial. Firstly, allow the biryani to cool down to room temperature before storing it. Once cooled, transfer the biryani to an airtight container, ensuring that the container is large enough to hold the biryani without crushing or breaking the rice grains. Next, store the container in the refrigerator, where it can remain fresh for up to 3-4 days. When you are ready to reheat the biryani, remove the container from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. This will prevent any inconsistencies in heating and ensure even reheating.
You can reheat the biryani in a microwave, oven, or on a stovetop. To microwave, cover the container with a lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap and heat for 2-3 minutes. To use an oven, cover the container with foil and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. For stovetop reheating, heat a large skillet over medium heat, add a tablespoon of oil, and add the biryani. Stir occasionally and cook for 5-7 minutes or until heated through. With these simple steps, you can store and reheat Vijayawada Chicken Biryani without sacrificing its taste and texture.
FAQs
Vijayawada Chicken Biryani is a mixed rice dish from the Indian subcontinent, which originated in the city of Vijayawada, located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a flavorful biryani that uses boneless chicken pieces or fried chicken pieces marinated with Indian spices and served with aromatic Basmati rice.
The ingredients used in Vijayawada Chicken Biryani include boneless chicken or fried chicken pieces, Basmati rice, Indian spices such as garam masala powder, coriander powder, chili powder, and biryani masala, whole spices such as bay leaf, green cardamoms, and star anise, vegetables such as onions and tomatoes, lemon juice, yogurt, and fried onions.
To make Vijayawada Chicken Biryani, marinate boneless chicken or fried chicken pieces with Indian spices and set aside. Soak Basmati rice for 20 minutes and boil it with whole spices and salt. Fry sliced onions until golden and crisp. In a separate pan, fry onions, tomatoes, and spices until fragrant. Add the marinated chicken and fried onions, and cook until chicken is tender. Assemble the biryani by layering rice and chicken mixture, and cook covered for 20 minutes.
There are many regional variations of Biryani across the Indian subcontinent. Hyderabadi Biryani, which originated in the city of Hyderabad, is one of the most popular variations. It uses whole spices, tomato puree, and it traditionally comes with boiled egg and raita. Veg Biryani is another variation that uses mixed vegetables instead of meat.
Yes, you can make Vijayawada Chicken Biryani in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. However, the cooking time and amount of water used may vary.
You can store leftover Vijayawada Chicken Biryani in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, add a little water and heat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Yes, you can use paneer cubes instead of chicken to make Paneer Biryani or Veg Dum Biryani. Paneer is a type of Indian cottage cheese and adds a unique flavor to the dish.
To get the perfect spice level in your Biryani, start with small amounts of chili powder and gradually increase to your desired level. You can also adjust the spice level by using more or less whole spices such as green chilies or chili peppers.
Vijayawada Chicken Biryani is best as a main course dish with raita or salad on the side. You can also serve it with popular Indian dishes such as Butter Chicken or Paneer Butter Masala.
The key to making a good Biryani is to use high-quality ingredients, including aromatic Basmati rice and fresh Indian spices. Cook the rice grains and chicken or vegetables separately and then layer them together for maximum flavor.

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