to my poorest knowledge in preparing Biryani Rice`s you needs;

1.North Indian Basmathi rice
2.Biryani powder
3.Bay leaf
4.Mutton/chiken  with bone
5.UHT evaporated milk
6.Green peas
7.Hazel nut
8.Raisin
9.Cardamon seed
10.Cinnamon stick
11.Ghee oils
12.Pinch salt
13.Black Jeera`s
14.Safron
15.Tomato puree
16.Rose water
17.Spring onion and corriander leaves
18.Pandan leaves

19.Indian big onion.
This preparation is vary from the chicken tarkari main dish stuff itself which will have to be cook saperately in order with chicken curry cooking method. All the ingredient mention above too will have to be prepared one by one accordingly for example the raisin have to be fried before hand and spices stuff need to dry fry , rice has be soak with running water and so on....

Judging by the costly stuff and complicated cooking, its worth for that hearsay .."CHICKEN BIRIYANI @ = $1.99 ", you paid for....

The cheaper way would be-

1) Basmati Rice 5lbs (approx. $5.00)

2) 2 whole chickens (approx. $ 7.00)

3) Butter or cooking oil (approx. $1.00)

4) Shan Biryani Masala mix (3 packets 99c each, approx. $3.00)( contains everything including salt)

5) Gas and/or electricity +water use ($x)

6) Human resource ($y)

7) carry out boxes, disposible forks and papers ($z)

Total= $16 + ($x+$y+$z)

if it fills 20 carry out boxes-

Total Income = 20X 2 = $40.00

Net Profit = $24.00 - ($x+$y+$z+applicable tax)

(assuming 0% depreciation on gas/electric stove and oven, used woks and oven pans, sink tap etc.)