Chicken Biryani

Ingredients

10 cardamom pods, green, smashed with a large knife
1 cinnamon stick
1 piece fresh ginger(~2 in.)cut into 1/2 in. thick coins, smashed with knife
1/2 t. cumin seed
3 qt. water
Salt
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (abaout 1-1/2 lb), trimmed and patted dry
Ground black pepper
3 T. unsalted butter
2 medium onions, sliced thin (about 4 cups)
2 medium jalapeno chiles, one seeded and chopped fine, one chopped fine with seeds
4 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed (about 1-1/2 T)
1-1/4 cups basmati rice
1/2 t. saffron threads, lightly crumbled
1/4 cup dried currants or raisins
2 T. chopped fresh cilantro leaves
2 T. chopped fresh mint leaves
Yogurt sauce

Instructions

1. Wrap cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, ginger, and cumin seed in small piece of cheesecloth and secure with kitchen twine. In 3-1/2 to 4-uart heavy-bottomed saucepan about 8 inches in diameter, bring water, spice bundle, and 1-1/2 t. salt to boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to medium and simmer, partially covered, until spices have infused water, at least 15 minutes (but no longer than 30 minutes).
2. Meanwhile season both sides of chicken thighs with salt and pepper and set aside. heat butter in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until foaming subsides; add onions and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and dark brown about edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Add jalapenos and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer onion mixture to bowl, season lightly with salt, and set aside. Wipe out skillet, return heat to medioum-high, and place chicken thighs skin-side down in skillet; cook, without moving chicken, until well browned, about 5 minutes. Flip chicken and brown second side, 4 to 5 minutes longer; transfer chicken to plate and remove and discard skin. Tent with foil to keep warm.
3. If necessary, return spice-infused water to boil over high heat; stir in rice and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain rice through strainer, reserving 3/4 cup cooking liquid; discard spice bundle. Transfer rice to medium bowl; stir in saffron threads and currants (rice will turn splotchy yellow). Spread half of rice evenly in bottom of now-empty saucepan using rubber spatula. Scatter half of onion mixture over rice, then place chicken thighs, skinned-side up, on top of onions; add any accumulated chicken juices. Evenly sprinkle with cilantro and mint, scatter with remaining onions and herbs, then cover with remaining rice; pour reserved cooking liquid evenly over rice.
4. Cover saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes (if large amount of steam is escaping from pot, reduce to low. Run heatprrof rubber spatula around inside rim of saucepan to loosen any affixed rice; using large serving spoon, spoon biryani into individual bowls, scooping from bottom of pot and serving 1 chicken thigh per person. Serve with Yogurt sauce.