Perfectly spiced Cape Chicken Breyani is a South-African Indian dish and loved by all ages. A Hearty meal which only requires (maybe!) a crunchy salad on the side.

Also known as Chicken Biryani … Breyani – same thing ! In South-Africa, Gauteng we prefer to spell it Breyani, which is a spicy dish usually made with chicken.

However, I have seen other meats in local and international recipes as well. I, myself, have always made it with chicken.

This Cape Chicken Breyani is spiced just right and the ideal all-season dinner.

Chicken Breyani  or Chicken Biryani, if you wish, images, both in the baking dish, as well as plated below.

We have a boxed type of meal which you only need to add Chicken and you have Chicken Breyani in about half an hour.

However, it is short cut way of making this delicious dish. And as with most of these boxed meals, it tastes a little bland.

This recipe for the Breyani is so flavorful and you can taste it is freshly made immediately. That is if you tried the boxed type before.

I also love the addition of hard boiled eggs to the dish ! Which is actually how a great Chicken Breyani should be served, by the way.

Another addition is of course sliced banana on the side. Personally I add a teeny-tiny bit of chutney to mine once on the plate.

Hubby firmly believes no chutney ! However, do try some chutney, especially if you are a fruit chutney lover.

This Chicken meal is so hearty and filled with goodness, only a side salad is required. And that is also debatable.

We normally only have the Breyani as is (with the trimmings as per the recipe). I do now and then serve a simple tomato and onion salsa on the side.

More Chicken dinner recipes you might like:

• Drunken Chicken Stir-Fry
• Chicken Breyani with Raita
• Amish Chicken Casserole
• Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry
• Chicken Cacciatore (Dump and Bake)

Cape Chicken Breyani

Cape Chicken Breyani

Linda Nortje

Perfectly spiced Cape Chicken Breyani is a dinner dish loved by all ages

4.93 from 14 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Dinner

Cuisine South-African

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Bake Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Servings 6 Servings

Calories 383 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ½ cup Brown Lentils
• 4 – 5 Chicken Fillets cut into big chunks
• Salt and Freshly Black Pepper to taste
• 1 cup Plain Yogurt
• 2 teaspoons Curry Powder
• ½ teaspoon Turmeric
• ½ teaspoon Ground Cumin
• ½ teaspoon Ground Coriander
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
• 2 Onions halved and sliced
• 2 Cinnamon Sticks
• 6 Cardamom Pods husks removed and slightly crushed
• 1 ½ cups Basmati Rice
• 2 cups Chicken Stock
• Salt and Black Pepper to taste

TO SERVE:

• 4 Hard Boiled Eggs quartered
• Sliced Banana optional
• Fresh Cilantro for garnishing

Instructions

 

• Place the Brown Lentils in a pot – cover with water, bring to the boil and simmer for approximately 20 minutes
• Meanwhile, pre-heat the oven to 180 deg C (350 deg F) – Spray a large oven dish, with a lid, with cooking oil
• Season the Chicken chunks with Salt and Pepper. Mix the Yogurt, Curry Powder, Turmeric, Cumin and Coriander – sprinkle over the Chicken until it is covered – put aside
• Using a large skillet, saute the Onions in the Butter until soft and golden – add the Cinnamon and Cardamom – sizzle for 15 – 20 seconds – add the Rice and boiled Brown Lentils – stir and then add the Chicken Stock – season (if necessary) with Salt and Pepper
• Transfer to the prepared oven dish and gently place the spiced Chicken chunks in the mixture – cover and bake for 50 - 60 minutes or until the Chicken is cooked through and the Rice has absorbed all the liquid
• Garnish with Cilantro and serve with quartered Eggs and sliced Banana

Nutrition Facts

Cape Chicken Breyani

Serving Size

 

1 Servings

Amount per Serving

Calories

383

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

12

g

18

%

Saturated Fat

 

5

g

31

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

6

g

Cholesterol

 

209

mg

70

%

Sodium

 

440

mg

19

%

Carbohydrates

 

30

g

10

%

Fiber

 

3

g

13

%

Sugar

 

9

g

10

%

Protein

 

37

g

74

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition value, where given, is not always accurate. Please also check your ingredient labels.