Chicken Biryani, Hyderabadi Style

Ingridients of Chicken Biryani, Hyderabadi Style:

• 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter)
• 20 whole cloves
• 9 whole cardamom pods
• 5 bay leaves
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 5 small green chile peppers
• 2 tablespoons ginger garlic paste
• 1 (3 pound) whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 fresh curry leaves (optional)
• 3 cups uncooked jasmine or white rice
• 4 1/8 cups water
• 1 sprig cilantro leaves with stems