Indian Chicken Recipes (2024)

Dinner doesn’t get much more exciting than these bright and fresh Indian chicken recipes!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough roasted chicken and pasta for one year. It’s time for something different.

Indian Chicken Recipes (1)

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From your standard korma and butter chicken curries to smokey tandoori meals and tender kebabs, you’ll have a hard time picking just one thing.

Though some recipes require particular spices, most can be substituted to suit your pantry and your palette.

1. Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

I think chicken tikka masala is one of the most well-loved and well-known curries around. It’s bright, bursting with flavor, and just what you need for a delicious dinner.

Though it’s full of yummy spices, it’s not spicy. However, you could make it warmer if you add extra chili powder.

It’s also easy to make dairy-free. Just swap out the heavy cream for coconut cream, and you’re good to go.

2. Easy Chicken Korma

I love curry and often tell myself that I’ll order something new whenever we go to an Indian restaurant.

But I’m always drawn in by this creamy, sweet, and mild coconut and ginger sauce.

The trick to adding coconut milk is to make sure it’s at room temperature. If it’s cold, it might split.

3. Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken

Though similar to tikka masala, this butter chicken recipe uses a little more cream and slightly less tomato.

I love using the slow cooker because it keeps the stovetop clean and allows the flavors time to marry. Plus, it usually gives a thicker sauce to boot.

4. Mughlai Chicken

Though this might not be the most vibrant-looking dish, Mughlai chicken is packed with flavor.

It includes a brown onion gravy and soaked cashew, making it rich and creamy. The heavy cream goes in right at the end, but it shouldn’t affect the thickness.

5. Kerala Style Spicy Dry Roasted Chicken

Also known as nadan chicken ularthiyathu, this is probably one Indian dish you’re not as familiar with.

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Unlike the recipes above in which the chicken is cooked in sauce, this version is dry-cooked.

That means you’ll cook the chicken until the excess water seeps out before lowering the heat and cooking until tender.

6. Chicken Chettinad Recipe

If korma and butter chicken are too mild for you, then you’ll need to try this incredible spicy chicken recipe.

It gets most of the heat from the chilis and peppercorns, so you can alter the recipe if you don’t want it as hot.

7. Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori chicken is an authentic meal made by roasting chicken in a tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven.

You’ll need skinless legs and thighs marinated in yogurt and spices to ensure it’s as tender and flavorful as possible.

When they’re ready to cook, you’ll cut them to the bone, slicing them about an inch apart over the surface. This helps the marinade permeate and the chicken cook faster.

8. Chicken Shami Kabab Recipe

These are similar to meatballs or mini patties; only they’re full of tasty Indian spices and either chickpeas or dal.

They’re ideal for serving as a simple starter or would be a great addition to any Indian feast. I like them dipped in mango chutney!

9. Grilled Tandoori Chicken Kebabs

As mentioned, a tandoor is a type of oven. So, when you see tandoori recipes, it’s referring to the dry-cooking method rather than the taste.

That said, it’s guaranteed that tandoori chicken will be spiced, tender, and beautifully smoky.

10. Chicken Seekh Kabab Recipe

Unlike shish kebabs, which use chunks of meat, seekh kebabs are made using ground meat that’s spiced, seasoned, and molded around a metal skewer.

Since ground chicken is relatively lean, try to look for ways to add extra fat, so it binds together and doesn’t dry out. One easy way to do this is by adding plain yogurt to the mix.

11. Chicken 65

Though nobody really knows how this dish got its name, one thing is clear: it’s insanely good!

Marinated for 24 hours in spiced yogurt, then deep-fried, I could eat a whole platter of this chicken myself.

The real star of the show, though, is the dry rub that you’ll toss the cooked chicken in at the end. It’s so colorful and adds a fantastic depth of flavor.

12. Dahi Chicken (Yogurt Marinated Chicken Curry)

You’ve likely noticed that most of these recipes call for some form of yogurt marinade. That’s because the lactic acid slowly tenderizes the meat and adds flavor.

This recipe is no different, though it doesn’t have such a long ingredient list.

Instead, once the chicken has been left to marinate, you just need to cook it with onions and ginger. Then, add everything to the pan and let it bubble until the chicken is cooked.

13. Lehsuni Nimbu Murgh (Garlic Lemon Chicken)

This dish is pretty different from the recipes above. First, it’s not made with tomato or coconut milk. And second, it uses primarily garlic and lemon for the taste.

You’ll cook the chicken right in the marinade until it’s mostly absorbed or evaporated. I then like to finish it in some hot oil for texture.

14. Quick and Easy Chicken Biryani

Biryani is another hugely popular Indian dish, and there are, in fact, at least 10 different types.

It’s pretty spicy but also warm and tender. Unlike some other curries, this one incorporates the rice into the meat and sauce, mixing everything together.

15. Kalmi Kabab

Where the seekh kebab used ground chicken, this is a simple grilled chicken dish that uses sliced, boneless chicken.

Though it takes a little more work, I think these would make an excellent addition to your next BBQ.

16. Chicken Vindaloo

Vindaloo is a cult fave in the UK, so much so it was featured in a 1998 FIFA World Cup song. So yeah, they take it pretty seriously.

It’s known to be very spicy. That means if heat isn’t your thing, you might want to skip this one.

I suppose you could technically cut down on the chilis, but that would take away its magic. You’re better off choosing something milder.

17. Chicken Mulligatawny Soup

We’re smack in the middle of the season when nothing quite beats a hot bowl of soup.

This year, in lieu of bland chicken and veggie soup, why not try this lightly spiced chicken curry soup instead?

That touch of heat should warm you up in no time!

18. Chilli Chicken

How incredible does that platter of crispy chicken look? You can practically hear it crackling, and you’ll just know it’s spicy.

Deep frying is a must for this, but since the meat is only lightly coated in corn starch, it’s just the right amount of crispy coating.

19. Kadai Chicken Recipe

My favorite thing about this recipe is how the chicken falls off the bone. It’s ridiculously tender, brimming with spice, and best served with warm naan.

It’s best cooked in a wok (Kadai is a wok in Hindi), but any deep pan with a heavy bottom will do the trick.

20. Palak Chicken

As you can see, this chicken curry uses a lot of spinach. It’s cooked with the chicken in a creamy sauce made using onion, tomato, and cashews.

It’s best to use fresh spinach for this and to chop it before cooking. Frozen will add too much excess moisture to the mix, which will leave the curry watery.

21. Chicken Shawarma

If you’ve ever tried this dish, you’ll know it’s made up of layered, spiced chicken that’s cooked on a spit. As it’s cut, you’ll get perfect bites of crispy and juicy meat.

I think this is best served in a naan with pickled red onions, a little hummus, and lots of tomatoes.

Luckily, you can cook this in a hot pan and still get the same tasty results.

22. Chicken Pakora Recipe

This classic Indian street food is usually made with veggies. It’s a type of fried fritter that’s crazy-delicious and perfect alongside everything from korma to vindaloo.

Since the chicken is in chunks, these have less batter. So, though they’re just as tasty, I think they might be a little healthier.

23. Chicken Dhansak

As far as chicken and lentil curries go, I think this is my favorite.

Lentils are cheap, filling, and a great way to bulk this dish out. They’re also jam-packed with protein, high in fiber, and, better still, they’re low in fat.

24. Chicken Saag

Here’s another lovely spinach curry, but unlike the recipe above, this dish should also include other deep and leafy greens.

When you look at the recipe, you’ll see that you need a whopping 10 cups of spinach, but don’t worry! It wilts down to next to nothing in a matter of minutes.

25. Chicken Curry

If you’re new to Indian food and don’t know where to start, this simple chicken curry is just what you’ll need.

There are no hard-to-find spices, and most of the ingredients are pantry staples.

If you want this creamier, go ahead and add some room-temperature coconut milk at the end.

Indian Chicken Recipes (3)

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Indian Chicken Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Which is the best chicken dish in India? ›

Top 5 Indian chicken specialties you must try at TAVA Fine Indian...
  • Murgh Curry (Boneless) Murgh Curry is a classic chicken dish cooked in curry sauce consisting of a unique blend of flavorful spices. ...
  • Butter Chicken. ...
  • Chicken Tikka Masala. ...
  • Chicken Karahi. ...
  • Chicken Shahi Korma. ...
  • About TAVA Fine Indian Cuisine.

How is Indian chicken so tender? ›

It is a combination of the marinade (with yoghurt and lemon juice probably being the main factors in the tenderness) and the hot, fast cooking in the tandoor, further enhanced by the use of metal skewers which conduct the heat to the middle of the meat quickly.

Which chicken is most popular in India? ›

Probably the best known of all Indian dishes, murgh makhani, internationally referred to as butter chicken, is a staple dish at most Indian restaurants. The dish originated in Delhi during the 1950s, when a man named Kundan Lal Gujral opened his restaurant called Moti Mahal.

What does Tikka Masala mean? ›

Tikka refers to grilled or roasted pieces of meat that are either marinated in yogurt or spiced water before being cooked on skewers. Masala refers to a sauce made with cream, yogurt, or tomatoes; or a mixture of spices used to flavor food.

What are the 5 most popular dishes in India? ›

The most popular and best dishes you should try in India
  • Famous curry. It is considered the national soul of Indian cuisine, the popularity of the famous curry is similar to that of Korean kimchi or Japanese sushi. ...
  • Pani Puri. ...
  • Dosa Spring Roll. ...
  • Chaat - India's most famous street dish. ...
  • Indian Street Dish - Naan Flour Bread.

What is the nicest Indian dish? ›

Without a doubt, the most delicious Indian food is Butter Chicken, Samosa, Matar Paneer, Rogan Josh, Tandoori Chicken, Masala Dosa and Hyderabadi Biriyani.

Why does chicken get rubbery in curry? ›

Overcooking: If chicken is cooked for too long, it can become tough and rubbery. This can happen if the chicken is added to the curry too early, or if the heat is too high. 2. Lack of moisture: If there is not enough liquid in the curry, the chicken can become dry and tough.

Why is chicken pink in Indian food? ›

To be frank tandoori chicken is red/pink due to red chili powders of Kashmir. Further, chili powder is bright red, turmeric is yellow, and yogurt is white. A combination of the three colors in the ingredients used in the above preparation gives the dish its characteristic orangeish pink color.

What is the most eaten meat in India? ›

The style of cooking meat in India is different from that of other countries due to the incorporation of more spices, chilies in their preparations. The majority of meats consumed in India are fish, bovine (cow and buffalo), mutton, goat, pig, and poultry.

What do Indians call butter chicken? ›

Butter chicken, traditionally known as murgh makhani (pronounced [mʊrɣ ˈməkʰaːni]), is an Indian dish originating in Delhi. It is a type of curry made from chicken with a spiced tomato and butter (makhan) sauce.

Why do Indians use so much butter? ›

In Hindu culture, the cow is sacred, and butter is the only animal fat that Hindus will eat. The cow represents the soul, with its obstinate intellect, and unruly emotions, but it is also gentle and generous. The butter it gives is a sacred offering, fuel for lamps, and treasured food.

Is garam masala the same as masala? ›

It's at once utterly confusing and incredibly simple. Masala means mixture of spices. So, a mixture of warming spices roasted and then ground down to a fine powder is a Garam Masala. A mixture of spices that are slightly tart and perfect paired with chickpeas roasted and ground down is a Chana Masala.

Which is better Butter Chicken or tikka masala? ›

Tikka Masala is the better option if you are looking for a lower-fat and calorie dish. However, suppose you are looking for a dish that is milder in spiciness and has a sweeter taste. In that case, Butter Chicken is the better choice.

Which is healthier Butter Chicken or tikka masala? ›

Although both dishes have high levels of saturated fat, chicken remains the preferred choice for maintaining good health. Compared to other meats, chicken dishes tend to be more nutritious. Chicken tikka masala is a healthier option than butter chicken as it contains less fat (7 grams vs. 4 grams) and more protein.

Which is the best chicken dish in the world? ›

Butter chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, has recently claimed the top spot in the "Top 100 Chicken Dishes in the World" list by TasteAtlas, (an online guide for traditional food) solidifying its place as a global culinary sensation.

What is the most popular meat dish in India? ›

Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori chicken is one of the most famous Indian dishes. It is made by marinating chicken meat in yogurt, and is seasoned with tandoori masala, nutmeg, and cumin, before being placed on skewers.

What type of chicken we eat in India? ›

Some of the commercial breeds of meat type chickens in India are Varna, B-77, Caribro-91, and Caribro Multicolored. Meat producing breeds include broilers, fryers roasters and other meat type chicken breedswhich are very efficient in converting feed to meat. A popular meat producing breed is the Cornish.

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