5 Must-Try Indian Chicken Recipes

Indian cuisine is renowned for its rich, vibrant flavors, and chicken dishes hold a special place in the heart of many food enthusiasts. Chicken not only complements the intricate spice mixes but also provides a versatile canvas for a variety of cooking styles. Here, we explore five must-try Indian chicken recipes that will tantalize your taste buds and immerse you in the world of Indian culinary traditions.

Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

Butter chicken, known as Murgh Makhani, is perhaps the most iconic of Indian chicken dishes. Originating from Delhi, this dish features chicken pieces marinated in spices and yogurt, cooked in a creamy tomato-based gravy with butter and cream, making it indulgently rich.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 cup yogurt
• 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp oil
• 4-5 tomatoes, pureed
• ¹⁄₂ cup heavy cream
• Salt to taste
• Kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves) for garnish
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Steps:

1. Marinate: Combine yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, red chili powder, and 1 tsp garam masala. Add chicken, mix well, and let marinate for at least 2 hours.
2. Cook Chicken: Heat oil in a pan, add marinated chicken, and cook until done. Set aside.
3. Prepare Gravy: In the same pan, melt butter, add tomato puree, cook until oil separates, then add remaining spices, cream, and cooked chicken.
4. Simmer: Let everything simmer for 10 minutes. Finish with kasoori methi and garnish with cilantro.

💡 Note: For an authentic taste, make your own garam masala by roasting and grinding spices like cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.

Chicken Tikka Masala

This dish, often claimed by the UK as their national dish, starts with chicken tikka, which are chunks of marinated and grilled chicken, then immersed in a creamy, spiced tomato gravy.

Ingredients:

• 600g chicken breast, cut into chunks
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 tsp red chili powder
• 3 tsp garam masala
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 2 cans tomato puree
• 1 cup cream
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Steps:

1. Marinate: Marinate chicken with yogurt, lemon juice, spices, and let sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2. Grill: Grill or roast chicken until charred and cooked through.
3. Gravy: In a pan, cook onions, garlic, and ginger until golden, add spices, then tomato puree, cook down, and add cream.
4. Combine: Add grilled chicken to the gravy, simmer, and garnish with cilantro.

Chicken Biryani

Chicken Biryani is a majestic dish where rice and chicken are cooked together with an array of spices, resulting in a fragrant, flavorful meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 cups basmati rice, washed and soaked
• 3 onions, sliced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 3 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tbsp biryani masala
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• Saffron soaked in milk
• Whole spices (cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves)
• Fresh mint and cilantro

Steps:

1. Marinate: Marinate chicken with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, biryani masala, and chili powder.
2. Prepare Rice: Boil rice with whole spices until partially cooked, then drain.
3. Layer: In a heavy-bottomed pot, layer cooked onions, tomatoes, marinated chicken, rice, and garnish with mint, cilantro, and saffron milk.
4. Cook: Seal the pot with dough, cook on low heat for about 30-40 minutes or until the rice is done.

Chicken Korma

Originally from the Mughlai kitchen, chicken korma is a mild yet deeply flavorful curry characterized by its use of nuts, cream, and yogurt.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 cup cashew nuts, soaked
• 1 cup yogurt
• 2 onions, sliced
• 3-4 green cardamoms
• 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• ¹⁄₂ cup cream
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Steps:

1. Prepare Nut Paste: Blend soaked cashews to make a smooth paste.
2. Base: Fry onions until golden, add spices, ginger-garlic paste, and cook until aromatic.
3. Simmer: Add yogurt and cashew paste, stir well, then add chicken. Cook until chicken is tender, finishing with cream.
4. Garnish: Garnish with cilantro and serve with naan or rice.

Kerala Chicken Stew (Kerala Kozhikodan Chicken Stew)

Kerala chicken stew offers a different flavor profile with its use of coconut milk, which gives it a subtle sweetness, combined with aromatic spices.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 2 onions, sliced
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 green chilies, slit
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• ¹⁄₂ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• 2 cloves
• 2 cardamom
• Fresh curry leaves
• Oil for cooking

Steps:

1. Spice Mix: Grind spices to make a fine powder.
2. Base: Heat oil, add onions, cook until soft, then add ginger-garlic paste, tomatoes, green chilies, and curry leaves.
3. Add Chicken: Add chicken, spice mix, turmeric, and cook until half done. Pour in coconut milk, simmer until chicken is fully cooked.
4. Garnish: Garnish with curry leaves or cilantro and serve with appam or bread.

🌿 Note: If you can’t find fresh curry leaves, dried ones will work, although they won’t offer the same fresh aroma.

To conclude, these five Indian chicken recipes showcase the depth and diversity of flavors in Indian cuisine. From the rich, creamy Butter Chicken to the comforting Kerala Chicken Stew, each dish provides a unique experience that not only satiates hunger but also transports you through the cultural and culinary landscapes of India. As you embark on preparing these dishes, remember that Indian cooking is as much about the process as it is about the result. Take your time to savor the aromas and taste each ingredient as they meld together, creating dishes that are truly memorable. Whether it's a celebration or an everyday meal, these recipes can turn any gathering into a festival of flavors.