Blend garlic, ginger & green chillies to a paste
Mix all marination ingredients well with chicken and marinate for at least 3 hours or overnight
Taste and adjust salt before layering
Boil water with shah jeera, cloves, green cardamom, cinnamon sticks, coriander & mint leaves
Add soaked rice and boil for 60% (about 3 minutes)
In a heavy-bottomed pot, add the marinated chicken masala at the bottom
Add 60% cooked rice on top of chicken
Layer with reserved fried onions, fresh coriander & mint leaves, pinch of garam masala, saffron milk, food colour, and ghee
Seal the pot with foil and a tight lid, place a heavy object on top
Cook on high flame for 5 minutes
Cook on very low flame for 1 hour (dum process)
Rest for 5-10 minutes before opening and serving
