To begin making the Thalassery Chicken Biriyani Recipe, wash the chicken pieces thoroughly, 

We will first par boil the rice in the pressure cooker. Heat the pressure cooker with oil on medium heat, add bay leaf, cardamom, peppercorns, cinnamon stick and allow the spices to sizzle. Add washed and drained rice and 2 1/2 cups of water with salt and pressure cook for 3 whistle and switch off the heat. 

Allow the pressure to release naturally, remove the lid and drizzle some oil over the rice and mix it so that the rice grains will separate from each other.

In a mixer-jar combine the ginger, garlic and green chilli and grind into a smooth paste using very little water. 

Heat another pressure cooker with oil on medium flame, add chopped onions and saute till they turn brown and are well caramelized. This will take about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. 

Now add in the chopped tomatoes and a pinch of salt for the tomatoes to cook. Mash the tomatoes with the back of your spatula and cook until the oil is released from the sides.

At this stage add the ground ginger garlic and green chilli paste, chilli powder, salt (keep in mind the rice has salt as well), turmeric powder and the chopped herbs. Saute well for another 10 more minutes.

Add the chicken pieces and mix well. Squeeze in lemon juice add about 1/2 cup of water cover and cook on low heat for 20 minutes.

Open the lid, add caramelized onions and mix well. Saute until the masala thickens little.

 Meanwhile heat the milk with saffron strands and keep it ready

Once that gravy is thickened, layer the par boiled rice over the masala carefully. Pour warm saffron milk over the rice and sprinkle with little herbs on top.

Pressure cook the rice for about 1 whistle and turn it off. Allow the pressure to release naturally and open the lid and mix the Thalassery Biryani and serve it over a plate.

In a small pan, heat ghee and toast the cashew nuts and top it over the Biriyani and serve hot.

Serve the Thalassery Chicken Biriyani Recipe along with raita, carrot and cucumber salad for a lazy sunday lunch with your family.