First, let us start by making chicken tikka. For that, rinse the chicken pieces very well in running water and keep aside.
Now, in a bowl mix 1 cup curd, 1 tablespoon ginger paste, 1 tablespoon garlic paste, 2 tablespoon tandoori masala, 2 teaspoon red chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon oil, and salt to taste. Mix all the ingredients very well.
Next, Marinade the chicken pieces with the mixture and let it refrigerate overnight.
Later, apply some oil on the tawa. Prep the chicken and load them onto the skewers.
After the tawa is heated, place the skewers on the tawa and cook until the chicken is tender and juicy.
Now, as the chicken is cooking, take a frying pan, add some oil. After the oil is heated, add the thinly sliced onions and fry them until they are golden brown.
Keep the onions aside.
Next, rinse 2 cups basmati rice in running water and soak them for about 20 minutes. Bring 4 cups of water on few boils, add soaked rice, 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, 1 bay leaf and some salt. Cook till the rice are about 3/4 done and strain all the water.
Now take an air tight not stick pot, and add 2 tablespoon of oil and add whole spices, 2 cardamom pods, 1 inch cinnamon, 2-3 black peppercorns and 2 cloves. Next add some cumin seeds and ginger garlic paste.
Stir for 2 minutes and then add 2 chillis and onions. Mix it until the onions are brown and cooked. Next, add the tomatoes and let them cook properly until they are mushy and add salt and chilli powder to taste.
Next, add the cooked chicken tikka and mix it well. Next, add layer of rice and top it with a few of the onions we fried earlier. Then, layer some more chicken and rice and add saffron soaked in the milk or water.
Close the lid tightly and let it cook for around 15 minutes.
Enjoy mouth watering chicken tikka biryani