Chicken Pulao

Ingredients:

Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs – approx 1 lb, cut to bite size pieces
Salt – to taste
Black Pepper – to taste
Basmati Rice – 1 cup (washed, soaked for 1 hour and drained)
Ghee (Clarified Butter) – 1 Tbsp
Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp
Cinnamon Stick – 1.5 inch piece
Bay Leaf – 1
Black Cardamom – 1
Green Cardamom – 2
Cloves – 4
Onions – 1 cup, chopped
Garlic – 1.5 Tbsp, minced
Ginger – 1.5 Tbsp, minced
Green Chilies – 2 to 3 or to taste, slit
Cumin Powder – 1 tsp
Coriander Powder – 2 tsp
Garam Masala – 1 tsp
Red Chili Powder – optional or to taste
Yogurt – 1/4 cup
Water – 1 3/4 cup
Cilantro – 10 sprigs, chopped (divided)
Salt – to taste
Lime Juice – for garnishing