Chicken Biryani Recipe - Chili Pepper Madness

Ingredients

• ½ cup plain yogurt
• 8 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger
• 2-3 green chilies (chopped (use serrano or other smaller hot chilies, or milder to your preference))
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 tablespoon paprika (or use other red chili powder)
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne
• Salt (to taste)
• 1.5 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs (.75kg)
• 1 small stick cinnamon
• 5 green cardamom pods
• 3 whole cloves
• 2 star anise
• 1 tablespoon salt (or to taste)
• 1 ½ cups basmati rice (rinsed)
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 large onion (thinly sliced)
• 2 pinches saffron strands (optional)
• 1/4 cup warm milk (or use water)
• 1/4 cup ghee or butter (melted)
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro (or use a mix of cilantro and mint)