Instant Pot Chicken Biryani: Let’s Make Magic in the Kitchen!
Hey there, awesome young chefs! Fantasize your kitchen full with the most amazing smells, like a spice market adventure. That’s what we’re making today along our Instant Pot chicken biryani recipe! Biryani is a great particular dish from Pakistan, packed with feathery rice, juicy chicken, and spices that prepare all bite feel alike a party. And guess what? We’re using an Instant Pot, a magical kitchen gadget that’s like a cooking superhero—it makes everything quick and easy! Ready to become a biryani rockstar? Let’s dive in!

What’s Biryani Anyway?
Picture a huge bowl of rice different with tender chicken and a sprinkle of spices that prepare your taste buds dance. That’s biryani! It’s alike a treasure hunt in all bite, with sweet, savory, and perhaps a tiny bit of spicy flavors. People in Pakistan love it so much, it’s the top dish ordered on food apps! Biryani commonly takes a long time to cook, however our Instant Pot makes it great fast. Want to know a cool matter? Biryani came from Persia hundreds of years ages-ago and is now a star at weddings and festivals in Pakistan because it brings everyone well-balanced!
Why the Instant Pot is the Best
The Instant Pot is like a kitchen wizard! It cooks food super fast, makes yogurt, and even steams veggies. For this Instant Pot chicken biryani recipe, it does all the work in one pot, so there’s less mess to clean up. Plus, it’s safe to use with an adult helping you. You’ll feel like a pro chef in no time! How awesome is it that this dish is ready in less than an hour?

Stuff You’ll Need
Let’s grab our ingredients. Don’t worry if some sound fancy—I’ll explain them all in a snap!
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1 cup golden basmati rice: This rice is long and smells like popcorn when it cooks. It’s the star of our biryani!
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1 pound boneless chicken: Chicken thighs or breasts work great. Boneless is easy to eat, perfect for kids.
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1 big sweet onion, sliced thin: Onions turn golden and yummy when cooked, making the biryani extra special.
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2 garlic cloves, chopped tiny: Garlic adds a smell that’ll make everyone say, “Wow, what’s cooking?”
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1 inch ginger, chopped tiny: Ginger gives a warm, zingy flavor that’s super cool.
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Spices:
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1 teaspoon salt: To make all the flavors pop.
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1 teaspoon garam masala: A spice mix that’s like a flavor party. It means “warm spice” in Urdu!
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½ teaspoon turmeric: This yellow spice makes the rice pretty and tastes mild.
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½ teaspoon red chili powder (optional): Only add this if you like a tiny bit of spice. Skip it if you don’t!
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Whole spices:
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2 bay leaves: These leaves add a special smell, like a forest breeze.
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4 cloves: Tiny brown sticks that pack big flavor.
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4 green cardamom pods: Little green pods that are like flavor surprises.
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1 cinnamon stick: This adds a sweet, cozy taste, like cinnamon toast.
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1 cup water: To help the rice cook nice and fluffy.
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Fresh cilantro and mint leaves, chopped: These are like green sprinkles that make the dish fresh and pretty.
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2 tablespoons oil or ghee: Ghee is like super tasty butter, but oil works too.
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Optional: ⅓ cup cashews and 2 tablespoons raisins: For a crunchy, sweet treat in every bite.
Got everything? Awesome! If you’re missing something, ask an adult to help you find it at the store.
Safety First, Chefs!
Before we start, let’s keep things safe in the kitchen. Wash your hands with soap and water, and put on an apron if you have one. The Instant Pot gets hot, so always ask an adult to help with that part. Knives and hot pots can be tricky, so let an adult handle those too. Safety first, chefs!
Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step
Time to make our Instant Pot chicken biryani! Follow these steps, and ask an adult to help with the Instant Pot and hot stuff. Here we go!
Step 1: Soak the Golden Rice
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Put the basmati rice in a bowl and cover it with water.
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Let it chill for 15-30 minutes. This makes the rice fluffy, like little clouds in your biryani.
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After soaking, drain the water and rinse the rice.

Chef’s Tip: Soaking the rice helps it cook evenly and stay fluffy. It’s like giving the rice a little bath before it goes on its cooking adventure!
Step 2: Fire Up the Instant Pot
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Press the “Sauté” button on the Instant Pot. It’s like turning on a stove, but way cooler!
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Add the oil or ghee and let it get hot.

Step 3: Sizzle the Whole Spices
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Toss in the bay leaves, cloves, cardamom pods, and cinnamon stick.
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Stir them for 30 seconds until they smell like a spice market. Mmm, so good!

Did You Know? These whole spices are like secret agents of flavor—they add a special smell and taste that makes biryani extra special!
Step 4: Cook the Sweet Onions
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Add the sliced onions and stir them now and then.
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Cook until they’re golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Watch them change color—it’s like magic happening in your pot!

Step 5: Add Garlic and Ginger
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Throw in the chopped garlic and ginger. Stir for 30 seconds.
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Your kitchen will smell like a fancy restaurant now!

Step 6: Cook the Chicken
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Add the chicken pieces to the pot.
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Stir sometimes and cook until the chicken isn’t pink anymore, about 5 minutes. It’ll finish cooking later, so no worries!

Step 7: Sprinkle the Spices
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Add the salt, garam masala, turmeric, and red chili powder (if you want a little kick).
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Stir so the chicken gets coated in all that yummy spice goodness.

Chef’s Tip: If you don’t like spicy food, you can skip the red chili powder or use just a tiny pinch!
Step 8: Layer the Rice
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Drain the soaked rice and spread it over the chicken. Don’t mix it—just let it sit on top like a cozy blanket.
Step 9: Add Water and Herbs
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Pour 1 cup of water over the rice.
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Sprinkle half of the chopped cilantro and mint on top. These herbs are like a fresh breeze in your biryani.

Step 10: Pressure Cook
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Close the Instant Pot lid and make sure the valve is set to “Sealing.”
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Press the “Manual” either “Pressure Cook” button and set it for 6 minutes on huge pressure.
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Now, let the Instant Pot work its magic! Go play for a bit while it cooks.

Step 11: Let the Steam Out
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When the timer beeps, wait 10 minutes. This helps the biryani get perfect.
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Ask an adult to carefully turn the valve to “Venting” to let out any leftover steam.

Step 12: Fluff and Decorate
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Open the lid carefully—it’s hot!
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Use a fork to gently fluff the rice. You can take out the big spices like bay leaves if you want.
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Sprinkle the rest of the cilantro and mint on top. If you have cashews and raisins, add them now for a fun crunch.

Chef’s Challenge: Can you arrange the biryani in a fun shape on your plate? Maybe a heart or a star? Get creative!
Awesome Tips for the Best Biryani
Want to make your biryani the talk of the town? Try these tricks:
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Soak that rice: It’s the key to fluffy, perfect rice.
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Take your time with onions: Golden onions make the flavor pop.
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Make it mild: Skip the chili powder if you don’t like spicy stuff.
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Add a special touch: Soak a pinch of saffron in warm milk along with drizzle it at the end the rice before cooking for extra color and taste.
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Serve with raita: Mix yogurt along chopped cucumbers or tomatoes for a cool, creamy side.
Make It Your Own!
Cooking is all about having fun, so let’s get creative:
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Toss in veggies like carrots or peas for extra color.
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Try different meats like shrimp or even tofu for a veggie version.
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Add more or less spice to make it just how you like it. Always check with an adult first!

Chef’s Challenge: Can you make a vegetable biryani rather of chicken? What alternative spices can you add to prepare it your own?
What You’ll Learn
By making this Instant Pot chicken biryani, you’ll learn:
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How to measure ingredients like a pro.
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How to follow step-by-step instructions.
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How to use kitchen tools like a knife (with adult help) and an Instant Pot.
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How spices and herbs can change the flavor of food.
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How to be safe in the kitchen.
You’re not just cooking—you’re becoming a kitchen rockstar!
Fun with Food
Once your biryani is ready, why not make it extra special?
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Arrange it in a fun shape on your plate, like a smiley face or a flower.
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Add some edible decorations, like chopped nuts or fresh herbs.
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Draw a picture of your finished dish or write your own recipe card to share with friends!
Did You Know?
Biryani is a huge deal in Pakistan—it’s alike the king of all rice dishes! It’s so attractive that it’s the better ordered food on delivery apps there. The talk “biryani” comes from the Persian word “beriyan,” which medium “fried before cooking.” How cool is it that you’re prepare a dish with such a huge history?
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Wrap It Up!
fantastic, you just finished an incredible Instant Pot chicken biryani! How glad are you right now? Your kitchen smells alike a spice market, and your biryani looks alike a work of art. Share it along your family and tell them about your cooking exprerience. Keep having enjoyment in the kitchen, and don’t forget to ask an adult for help along the Instant Pot. Now, go enjoy your biryani and give yourself a huge high-five!