๐๐ถ๏ธ Ambur Star Chicken Biryani
(Authentic Tamil Nadu Style)
A fiery, fragrant, deep-red Tamil Nadu biryani made with seeraga samba rice, dried red chilli paste,
onions, curd, and simple whole spices โ bold, rustic, unforgettable.
Spice Level: ๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ ๐ถ๏ธ High
Prep Time: 25 mins | Cook Time: 40 mins | Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
Serves: 4โ6
Calories (approx): ~460 kcal per serving
๐ One Pot, Thousand Stories
๐ฟ Introduction
Ambur Biryani โ from the famous โStar Hotelโ in Tamil Nadu โ is unlike any other biryani.
It is fiery red, onion-rich, chilli-forward, and incredibly simple,
relying not on layers or complicated masalas but on one thing:
A perfectly made dried red chilli paste.
This biryani is rustic, bold, and deeply satisfying โ every grain infused with heat,
tang, and the smoky soul of Tamil Nadu.
โA biryani where chilli leads the way, and flavor follows in blazing harmony.โ
๐๐ถ๏ธ Ambur Star Chicken Biryani
(Authentic Tamil Nadu Style)
Photo by Stirred By Spice
๐ Ingredients
Authentic Ambur Red Chilli Paste
12โ15 Dried red chilies (Kashmiri for color + Guntur for heat, mixed)
Hot water (to soak)
(Soak 15 mins โ grind to a smooth paste.)
Chicken Base
700 g Chicken, bone-in preferred
4 tbsp Oil or ghee
2 large Onions, thinly sliced
2 Tomatoes, chopped
1 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste
ยฝ cup Curd (unsweetened)
Salt, to taste
Whole spices:
1 Bay leaf
4 Cloves
4 Cardamom
1 small Cinnamon stick
Mint leaves โ ยฝ cup
Cilantro โ ยฝ cup
Rice
2 cups Seeraga Samba rice (soaked 15โ20 mins)
3ยฝ cups Water
Garnish
Mint + cilantro
A drizzle of ghee (optional but lovely)
๐ฝ๏ธ Instructions
1. Make Authentic Red Chilli Paste
Soak dried red chilies in hot water.
Grind into a smooth, fiery paste.2. Fry Whole Spices + Onions
Heat oil/ghee.
Add bay leaf, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon.
Add onions โ fry until golden edges appear.3. Add Ginger-Garlic + Chilli Paste
Add ginger-garlic โ sautรฉ.
Add the entire red chilli paste โ fry until oil separates.4. Add Tomatoes + Chicken
Add tomatoes โ cook down.
Add chicken + salt โ cook until chicken is sealed and light brown.5. Add Curd + Herbs
Add curd โ mix well to balance heat.
Add mint + cilantro.6. Add Rice + Water (Absorption Method)
Add drained seeraga samba rice.
Pour water.
Mix gently.7. One-Pot Cooking
High flame: 3 mins
Medium flame: 10 mins
Low flame: 10โ12 mins
Rest covered 5 mins.
8. Serve
Fluff gently, garnish, and enjoy the fiery aroma.
If you enjoyed this biryani recipe, try my
๐ท Optional Serving Notes
Serve with onion raita, lemon wedges, and sliced onions.
๐ฌ Soulful Note
Ambur biryani is simple at heart โ a workerโs biryani, a travelerโs biryani, a biryani of the everyday.
Red chilli is its soul, and seeraga samba its breath.
๐ Cookโs Wisdom / FAQs
Cook's Wisdom
Tip: Use Seeraga Samba rice fir its unique texture in this Ambur Biryani .
Why red chilli paste?
This is what makes Ambur biryani authentic โ not powders.Is it supposed to be fiery?
Yes โ but curd balances it beautifully.Why no layering?
Ambur is traditionally a one-pot biryani.Can I reduce the chilies?
Yes, but youโll lose authenticity โ adjust with curd instead.
๐ Nutrition (Per Serving โ Approx.)
Calories 460
Protein 28g
Carbs 55g
Fat 14g
๐๐ถ๐ The Bottom Line
A bold, fiery biryani where simplicity shines โ Ambur Biryani proves that chilli, onions, and seeraga samba can create magic.
๐งก Meet the Heart Behind the Spice
Hi, Iโm Maya Shetty โ cook, storyteller, and spice lover.
Through Stirred By Spice, I share recipes that warm both the kitchen and the heart โ where simple ingredients and warm flavors turn everyday meals into moments of connection.
๐ฌ Iโd Love to Hear From You!
Your words, memories, and reflections mean the world to me.
Share your thoughts using the form below โ I read every message.
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