Pakistani Chicken Biryani Recipe | Low Calorie Bombay Biryani

Pakistani chicken biryani recipe that is easy and low calorie!? Yes!

Craving a delicious and authentic Pakistani chicken biryani that’s both easy to make and low in calories? You’re in the right place! This recipe uses Shan Bombay Biryani Masala and only 2 tablespoons of oil, ensuring a flavorful yet diet-friendly dish.

I created this recipe for my husband, who wanted to enjoy biryani while on a low-calorie diet. The goal was to make it as masalaydar and chatpata as we Pakistanis (especially Karachi walay) love, but with fewer calories, so he could enjoy a satisfying portion without compromising his weight loss goals.

Realizing that everyone could benefit from such a recipe, I decided to share it. We all crave traditional foods, and it’s tough to give them up even when trying to lose weight. This low-calorie version is healthy-ish and will satisfy your cravings without packing on the extra calories. Enjoy a guilt-free plate of biryani with this wholesome recipe!

Why you’ll love this Pakistani Chicken Biryani Recipe

Easy Preparation: Uses Shan Bombay Biryani Masala for a quick and convenient cooking process.

Portion Controlled: Designed to be low in calories, making it perfect for weight loss and maintaining a healthy diet.

Deliciously Spicy: Packed with chatpata, masalaydar flavors that we Pakistanis (especially Karachi walay) love, ensuring you don’t miss out on taste while eating healthy.

pakistani chicken biryani recipe low calorie bombay biryani healthy — Spicy Pakistani Chicken Biryani

Pakistani Recipe: Chicken Biryani Ingredients

You need some simple ingredients to make this Pakistani chicken biryani recipe.

Marination For Pakistani Chicken Biryani Recipe

420g chicken

1/4 cup (63g) low-fat yogurt
1/2 packet (30g) Shan Bombay Biryani Masala
5 pieces (26g) aloo bukharay (dried plums)

11g ginger and garlic, crushed
1/8 teaspoon salt

For The Biryani Masala

2 tablespoons (24g) oil

3 black peppercorns
3 cloves
1 small bay leaf

1 small (3g) cinnamon stick
3 green cardamoms
180g onions, finely chopped (peeled weight)

15g ginger and garlic paste
160g tomatoes, finely chopped
1/4 cup water

For Boiling Potatoes

213g potatoes, peeled and cut
Water to boil
Red-orange food color

For The Rice

290g long-grain white rice
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons vinegar

3 green cardamoms
3 black peppercorns
3 cloves

For The Yogurt Layer

145g low-fat yogurt
1/2 tablespoon chaat masala
1 teaspoon red-orange food color, or as needed

How to make pakistani chicken biryani

The recipe is really easy! Here are the step by step instructions.

For The Marination

1. Marinate the chicken with yogurt, Shan Bombay Biryani Masala, aloo bukharay, crushed ginger and garlic, and salt. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 20 minutes.

For Boiling Potatoes

2. Peel, cut, and boil the potatoes with a few drops of red-orange food color until almost done. Strain and set aside.

Preparing The Rice

3. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear and soak for at least 30 minutes.

4. Boil the rice with salt, vinegar, cardamoms, peppercorns, and cloves until almost done. Strain and set aside.

Preparing The Yogurt Mixture

5. In a bowl, mix yogurt, chaat masala, and food color. Set aside.

Cooking The Biryani Masala

6. Heat oil in a pot. Add peppercorns, cloves, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, and cardamoms. Stir for 1 minute to release the aroma.

7. Add finely chopped onions and ginger-garlic paste. Cook until the onions are golden brown.

8. Add tomatoes and cook until the water dries.

9. Add the marinated chicken. Stir on high flame for 10 minutes. Add a tablespoon of water at a time if it sticks.

10. Add 1/4 cup water, bring to a boil, cover, and simmer on low-medium heat for 10 minutes.

Assembling and Cooking The Biryani

11. Ensure the water in the biryani masala is suitable. Dry more if needed.

12. Add the yogurt mixture layer over the masala.

13. Top with the boiled rice. Place a tawa (griddle) under the pot to prevent sticking.

14. Keep on high flame, cover the pot, and when steam builds up, lower the flame and keep on dum (slow cook) for 10 minutes.

15. Carefully using a rubber spatula, give the biryani a slight mix and serve.

Serving

16. Divide into 5 portions to match the calories mentioned in the nutrition information per serving section. Enjoy your low-calorie chicken biryani!

This Pakistani chicken biryani recipe will surely be a keeper!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I increase protein content?

To increase the protein content in biryani, you can simply add more chicken to the dish. However, my Pakistani recipes are tailored to be budget-friendly and low in calories, so I haven’t specifically developed a high-protein version of biryani.

How many calories in chicken biryani?

The calories in biryani can vary widely depending on the recipe and portion size, but on average, a serving of chicken biryani can contain around 600 calories. This includes the rice, chicken, oil, and other ingredients. It’s important to note that the exact calorie count will depend on the specific ingredients and their quantities used in the recipe.

Which protein or meat should you use in low calorie biryani?

When choosing protein or meat for a low-calorie version of biryani, lean chicken, particularly boneless, skinless chicken breast, is the best option. It provides the highest protein content for the least calories. However, boneless chicken can be more expensive. Since my recipes focus on being budget-friendly, I often use bone-in chicken, which is more affordable while still providing a good amount of protein.

Of course, if budget and calorie control aren’t major concerns, you can also use mutton, beef, or fish for biryani. These proteins add rich flavors and variety to the dish, though they may increase the calorie content. Each type of meat offers its unique taste and nutritional profile, allowing for diverse and satisfying biryani options.

Is chicken biryani good for health?

Is chicken biryani good for health? It depends. If you have it every other day, then probably not. Generally, due to its high content of oil and carbs, it’s not the healthiest dish. However, traditional foods are beloved, and there are ways to make a healthier, lower-calorie version while still enjoying the taste. In my recipe, I offer a lower-calorie option and recommend dividing it into five portions. Pairing it with low-calorie raita and lots of salad can create a complete, filling meal. As long as such recipes are part of a varied, balanced diet, they can be

How to get perfect rice in biryani?

To ensure perfect rice in biryani, rinse and soak the rice for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Cook the rice until it is about 70-80% done, ensuring the grains are firm. Strain the rice to remove excess water, then layer it over the cooked meat and spices. Seal the pot and cook on low heat to allow the rice to steam and finish cooking. Finally, gently fluff the rice with a fork to mix the layers without breaking the grains.

Is this Pakistani chicken biryani spicy?

The level of spiciness in Pakistani chicken biryani recipes can vary depending on the region and the family’s preference. Some versions are mildly spiced, while others can be quite fiery. This one is spicy! Adjusting the amount of Shan Bombay biryani masala can control the heat.

Can I skip Shan Bombay Biryani Masala?

While you can skip Shan Bombay Biryani Masala and use traditional spices, sticking with the masala packet simplifies the cooking process, making it easier for those aiming to lose weight. It simplifies the cooking process while ensuring your dish is flavorful and balanced in spices. This approach helps you stay motivated and consistent with your calorie intake, making it easier to enjoy a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. By sticking to the masala packet, you can create a delicious biryani that aligns with your weight loss goals, keeping things simple yet tasty.

What are the different types of biryani?

There are many regional variations of biryani across South Asia and beyond. Some popular types include Hyderabadi biryani, Lucknowi (Awadhi) biryani, Kolkata biryani, Bombay biryani, and Sindhi biryani. Each type often has its own unique cooking style, spices, and ingredients. This is one of my favorite Pakistani biryani recipes.

Chicken Biryani Calories & Nutrition Information

Here’s the table with the total calories and per portion breakdown:

Ingredient	Weight (g)	Calories	Carbs (g)	Protein (g)	Fat (g)	Fiber (g)
420g chicken	420	573	0	73.71	27.3	–
1/4 cup (63g) low-fat yogurt	63	37.8	4.536	2.961	0.882	–
1/2 packet (30g) Shan Bombay Biryani Masala	30	120	15	6	3	6
5 pieces (26g) aloo bukharay (dried plums)	26	67.6	16.38	0.65	0.104	–
11g ginger and garlic, crushed	11	10	1	0	0	–
1/8 teaspoon salt	–	–	–	–	–	–
2 tablespoons (24g) oil	28	248	0	0	28	–
3 black peppercorns	–	0.08	0.01	0.003	0.002	–
3 pepper cloves (<1g)	1	2.875	–	–	–	–
1 small bay leaf	–	–	–	–	–	–
1 small (3g) cinnamon stick	3	15	2	0	0	–
3 green cardamoms	1	3.11	0.685	0.108	0.067	–
180g onions, finely chopped (peeled weight)	180	79.2	17.874	1.692	0.18	3.96
15g ginger and garlic paste	15	13.636	1.364	0	0	–
160g tomatoes, finely chopped	160	28.8	6.224	1.408	0.32	1.92
1/4 cup water	–	–	–	–	–	–
213g potatoes, peeled and cut	213	155.49	34.08	3.8553	0.5538	29.394
290g long-grain white rice	290	1073	232.87	20.416	2.987	0.29
1 tablespoon salt	–	–	–	–	–	–
2 tablespoons vinegar	30	5.396	–	–	–	–
3 green cardamoms	1	3.11	0.685	0.108	0.067	–
3 black peppercorns	–	0.08	0.01	0.003	0.002	–
3 cloves	1	2.875	–	–	–	–
145g low-fat yogurt	145	87	10.44	6.815	2.03	–
1/2 tablespoon chaat masala	2	10	1	0	0	–
Total calories	–	2536	344	117.5	65.5	–
Per Portion (1/5 of Total)		507.2	68.8	23.5	13.1	4.0

If you are aiming for even lower calories for weight loss, you can divide this Pakistani Chicken Biryani Recipe into 6 portions.

If you are looking for more low calorie Pakistani recipes that you can use on a weight loss diet, I have got a whole collection here.