One-Pan Seafood Biryani
When you want the deep flavor of a biryani but only have one pot and about 30 minutes.
Let's be real: making a traditional biryani usually involves hours of marinating and multiple pots. But tonight, we’re taking the shortcut. This version keeps that incredible earthy spice profile—think turmeric, cumin, and ginger—but cooks everything in one pan. It’s designed for the days when you want something that feels like a 'real' meal but doesn't require a marathon in the kitchen. The seafood (shrimp or fish) cooks fast, and the rice absorbs all those fragrant spices beautifully. It's comforting, flavorful, and won't leave you scrubbing three different pots before bed.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cup Basmati rice — rinsed and drained
- 1 lb shrimp — peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 0.5 tsp cinnamon bark
- 1.5 cup chicken broth
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt — or to taste
- 0.5 cup frozen peas
Method
- 1 Melt the butter in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat.
- 2 Add cumin seeds and cinnamon bark; toast for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 3 Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 2 minutes.
- 4 Add the shrimp, turmeric, and salt. Sauté for 3 minutes until the shrimp turn pink.
- 5 Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and peas. Bring to a boil.
- 6 Stir in the rinsed rice, cover tightly with a lid, and reduce heat to low.
- 7 Simmer for 15-18 minutes without lifting the lid until the liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
- 8 Turn off heat, let sit covered for 5 minutes, fluff with a fork, and serve.
Variations
- Vegetarian Swap — Replace shrimp with 1 block of cubed firm tofu and increase broth by 0.5 cup.
- Extra Flavor — Add a pinch of garam masala or a dash of chili powder if you want a kick.
Notes
For extra aromatics, add a handful of fresh cilantro or chopped mint at the very end before serving.
Equipment that helps
- Heavy-bottomed pot — Ensures even heat distribution so the rice cooks evenly without sticking.
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