Low Calorie Pakistani Chicken Biryani

Low calorie Pakistani Chicken Biryani is a modified biryani recipe that contains just 3 tbsp of oil and only 420 calories per serving! It tastes delicious and uses boneless, skinless chicken breast as lower calorie and high protein option!

This is a delightful twist to the traditional aromatic and flavorful biryani we all love, making it a healthier option without compromising on taste.

It still retaining the authentic flavors and richness that biryani is renowned for.

By incorporating lean protein, wholesome grains, and an array of aromatic spices, this biryani satisfies the palate!

Whether you’re looking to indulge in a satisfying Pakistani meal without the guilt or simply exploring healthier alternatives to your favorite dishes, this low-calorie Pakistani chicken biryani is sure to be a hit at your table.

Why should you try it?

I’m a big believer in enjoying our traditional foods while still maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The trick?

Making some smart tweaks to our recipes, especially by cutting down on the oil.

Another trick? Portion sizes.

Dividing our meals into smaller, more sensible portions keeps the calories in check. This way, we get to enjoy our favorite dishes without feeling like we’re missing out.

And here’s the key: pairing these meals with a big, crunchy salad and some light yogurt raita takes things to the next level. Seriously, a good salad not only adds flavor but also fills us up with all that veggie goodness and fiber. Using low-calorie or skimmed yogurt makes it guilt-free and delicious.

So, with this approach, we’re basically creating the ultimate guilt-free, satisfying meal that fits right into our healthy AND traditional lifestyle.

Sticking to these healthier choices most of the time can really make a difference in the long run. Of course, we can still enjoy the classic recipes on special occasions, but the goal is to make healthy eating a part of our everyday lives.

Low Calorie Pakistani Chicken Biryani: Ingredients

1. Long grain white rice
2. Canola oil
3. Ginger garlic paste
4. Whole cumin seeds
5. Pepper cloves
6. Dried apricots (aloo bukharay)
7. Small green cardamom
8. Whole black pepper
9. Cinnamon stick
10. Maggi chicken stock cube
11. Tomato
12. Fried onion
13. Fresh cilantro/coriander leaves
14. Mint leaves
15. Shan special Bombay biryani masala
16. Kashmiri red chili powder
17. Green chili
18. Boneless, skinless chicken breast
19. Garam masala powder/whole spices powder
20. Canola or sunflower oil

How to make Low Calorie Chicken Biryani

1. Begin by washing 250g of long grain white rice until the water runs clear. Then, soak the rice in water for about 30 minutes.
2. In a large cooking pot, heat 1/8 cup of canola oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add cinnamon stick, 1/2 tablespoon of ginger garlic paste, 1/4 teaspoon of whole cumin seeds, 3 pepper cloves, 5 small green cardamom, and 1/4 teaspoon of whole black pepper. Sauté the spices for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add 500g of boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into pieces to the pot. Also, add 1.5 teaspoons of Kashmiri red chili powder, 2 tablespoons (18g) of Shan special Bombay biryani masala, and 1/2 piece (3g) of Maggi chicken stock cube. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes to allow the spices to blend and the chicken to brown slightly.
4. Pour in 3/4 cup of water into the pot. Cover and let the chicken simmer over medium heat for approximately 15 minutes until it’s tender and thoroughly cooked. And reduce water as needed before layering.

Layering

1. While the chicken is cooking, bring a separate pot of water to boil. Once boiling, add the soaked rice and cook until it’s about 70-80% done. Drain the rice and set aside.
2. In a separate large cooking pot or biryani pot, start layering the ingredients. Begin with a layer of thinly sliced tomatoes, followed by 9g of fried onion, 9g of hara dhanya (fresh coriander leaves), 9g of mint leaves, 4g of whole green chilies, and 2.5g of garam masala powder.
3. Add a layer of the partially cooked rice over the seasoned ingredients in the pot. Drizzle 14g of oil over the rice.

Dum Cooking

1. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and cook over high heat for 5 minutes to build up steam within the pot.
2. Reduce the heat to low and let the biryani cook on dum (steam) for an additional 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and the rice to finish cooking in the steam.
3. Once done, carefully uncover the pot. Gently fluff the rice with a fork to mix the layers. Serve the low-calorie Pakistani chicken biryani hot, garnished with additional fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy your flavorful and healthy biryani!

Low Calorie Pakistani Chicken Biryani: Nutrition Information

Calorie And Macronutrients: Total

This table shows the total nutritional values for the entire recipe and per portion. Each portion, when divided into five, has approximately 421 calories, 47g carbs, 27g protein, and 13g fat.

Ready to try this easy low calorie pakistani chicken biryani!?

Low Calorie Pakistani Chicken Biryani

The Ovenist

Low calorie pakistani chicken biryani is a modified biryani recipe that contains boneless chicken breast and just 3 tbsp of oil!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Main Course

Cuisine Pakistani

Servings 5

Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 250 g of long grain white rice
• 1/8 cup canola oil 27g
• ½ tablespoon ginger garlic 13g
• ¼ teaspoon whole cumin seeds
• 3 black pepper cloves
• 13 g 2 pieces aloo bukharay/dried apricots 13g
• 5 small green cardamom
• ¼ teaspoon whole black pepper
• 1 g cinnamon stick
• 3 g Maggi chicken stock cube (½ piece)
• 137 g tomato
• 9 g fried onion (¼ cup)
• 9 g fresh coriander leaves
• 9 g mint leaves
• 2 tbsp Shan Special Bombay Biryani Masala (18g)
• 1½ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
• 4 g green chilis
• 500 g boneless, skinless chicken breast
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg mace powder
• ¼ teaspoon garam masala powder 2.5
• 1 teaspoon kewra water
• biryani essence as needed
• 1 tablespoon canola or sunflower oil 14g

Instructions

 

• Begin by washing 250g of long grain white rice until the water runs clear. Then, soak the rice in water for about 30 minutes.
• In a large cooking pot, heat 1/8 cup of canola oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add cinnamon stick, 1/2 tablespoon of ginger garlic paste, 1/4 teaspoon of whole cumin seeds, 3 pepper cloves, 5 small green cardamom, and 1/4 teaspoon of whole black pepper. Sauté the spices for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
• Add 500g of boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into pieces to the pot. Also, add 1.5 teaspoons of Kashmiri red chili powder, 2 tablespoons (18g) of Shan special Bombay biryani masala, and 1/2 piece (3g) of Maggi chicken stock cube. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes to allow the spices to blend and the chicken to brown slightly.
• Pour in 3/4 cup of water into the pot. Cover and let the chicken simmer over medium heat for approximately 15 minutes until it’s tender and thoroughly cooked. And reduce water as needed before layering.

Layering

• While the chicken is cooking, bring a separate pot of water to boil. Once boiling, add the soaked rice and cook until it’s about 70-80% done. Drain the rice and set aside.
• In a separate large cooking pot or biryani pot, start layering the ingredients. Begin with a layer of thinly sliced tomatoes, followed by 9g of fried onion, 9g of hara dhanya (fresh coriander leaves), 9g of mint leaves, 4g of whole green chilies, and 2.5g of garam masala powder.
• Add a layer of the partially cooked rice over the seasoned ingredients in the pot. Drizzle 14g of oil over the rice.

Dum Cooking

• Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and cook over high heat for 5 minutes to build up steam within the pot.
• Reduce the heat to low and let the biryani cook on dum (steam) for an additional 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and the rice to finish cooking in the steam.
• Once done, carefully uncover the pot. Gently fluff the rice with a fork to mix the layers. Serve the low-calorie Pakistani chicken biryani hot, garnished with additional fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy your flavorful and healthy biryani!

Keyword chicken biryani, chicken handi recipe pakistani, low calorie