Chicken karahi is a dish that has been around for years and is loved by people all over the world. With its unique blend of spices and flavors, it has become a favorite among many. The popularity of this dish has led to the creation of countless recipes, but not all of them are created equal. Many can be difficult to follow or require hard-to-find ingredients.
If you’re looking for a chicken karahi recipe that is both delicious and easy to follow, look no further. This restaurant-style Pakistani chicken karahi recipe is the perfect option. Made with simple ingredients that you can easily find in your local grocery store, this recipe is quick and hassle-free. You can whip up this delicious curry in no time, impressing your friends and family with your culinary skills.
So, If you’re in the mood for a flavorful and satisfying chicken dish, give this recipe a try. Your taste buds won’t be disappointed!
What Is Chicken Karahi?
Chicken karahi is a dish that is famous for its bold and spicy flavors that will surely tantalize your taste buds. This dish holds a very special place in South Asian cuisine and is particularly renowned in Pakistani and North Indian cuisine. Legend has it that this dish was originally cooked in a wok-shaped pan called a “karahi” over an open flame.
The authentic chicken karahi recipe has a rich tomato base with an abundance of fragrant spices such as black pepper, green chili peppers, cilantro, silvers of ginger, and dried fenugreek leaves, giving it a unique and bold taste that is hard to resist.
If you’re a fan of spicy meals, then chicken karahi is a must-try. And if you want to experience its true essence, then be sure to savor this dish cooked in a karahi, as it will bring in that unmatched smoky flavor that will take this delicacy to a whole new level.
Chicken Karahi Ingredients:
- Oil 1 Cup
- Onion 1 medium size
- Chicken (karahi cut) 1 KG
- Chopped Garlic 4-5 cloves.
- Tomatoes 5-6 medium size
- Green chili pepper 4-5
- Coriander (dhaniya) powder 2 Tsp
- Red chili powder 1 Tbsp
- Crushed red chili 1 Tbsp
- Salt 2 Tsp or to taste
- Turmeric powder 1/2 Tsp
- Yogurt 1/4 Cup
- Ground black pepper 1 Tbsp
- Crushed cumin 1 Tsp
- Garam masala 1/2 Tsp
- Crushed whole coriander 2 tsp
- Dried fenugreek leaves 1/2 tsp
- Ginger Julien cut 1-2 Tbsp
- Cilantro chopped 1-2 Tbsp
How To Make Chicken Karahi?
Although there are various ways of making chicken karahi, here you will find the simplest way to make it.
1. Add Oil To A Pan
Add oil to a pan and heat it until the rawness of the oil is gone. You can add more oil or ghee if you desire a restaurant-style finish.
2. Add Onions
Add finely chopped onions to a pan and sauté them until the color turns light golden. Pakistani chicken karahi does not include onions, but if you can’t get enough of karahi masala, adding a small amount of onion can help produce a good amount of gravy. Although, adding onion is totally optional and up to your choice.
3. Add Garlic
Add chopped garlic to the pan after the onion turns golden brown. Saute it until the garlic also turns golden brown in color. Alternatively, you can use garlic paste, but adding chopped garlic gives a delicate flavor.
4. Add Chicken
Firstly, add chicken to a pan and sauté until it turns white in color. Then, mix it well. At this point, adding turmeric powder will give some color to the chicken.
5. Add Tomatoes
Now comes the step of adding tomatoes cut in halves and putting them in a pan. Cover the pan and make sure to cook on low flame for 10-15 minutes, or until the tomatoes are tender.
Once the tomatoes have been tendered, remove the skin and mix well. The moisture coming from the tomatoes will be enough to cook chicken. You can add a small amount of water if required.
6. Add Spices
Now, add red chili powder, crushed red chili, salt, and coriander powder. Mix them well, then cover the lid and cook for a minute or two on low heat for a well-developed flavor. Remove the lid and stir-fry over high heat until the oil separates.
7. Add Yogurt
After the oil separates, add yogurt at this point and continue to cook it until the oil starts leaving the sides of the pan again.
8. Steaming
Finish off by adding green chili pepper cut in halves, garam masala, ground black pepper, and dried fenugreek leaves. Mix them well and let them cook over low flame for 4-5 minutes. After that, turn off the flame and your chicken karahi is ready to be served on the table.
Pro Tips:
- The most important thing to keep in mind while making chicken karahi is not to use a small/narrow pan as the chicken will not cook and will not pick flavor evenly. So as not to ruin your efforts, always use an open stirfry or wok-style pan.
- Even though water is used in chicken karahi as the moister released from tomatoes is enough to cook the chicken but still, if the chicken is rough you can add a little amount of water to cook it properly.
- Use whole milk yogurt at room temperature and whisk it properly to prevent it from cuddling in curry.
- Make sure not to stir the spatula unnecessarily, this will result in breaking the chicken.
Pakistani Chicken Karahi Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Cooking Oil
- 1 Onion Chopped
- 1/2 KG Chicken
- 4-5 Garlic Chopped
- 4-5 Tomatoes
- 4-5 Green Chili Pepper
- 2 tsp Coriandor (Dhaniya) Powder
- 1 tbsp Red Chili Powder
- 1 tbsp Red Chili Crushed
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1/4 cup Yogurt
- 1 tbsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Crushed Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Garam Masala (Hot Spices)
- 2 tsp Crushed Whole Coriander
- 1/2 tsp Dried Fenugreek Leaves
- 1 tbsp Ginger Julien Cut
- 1 tbsp Cilantro Chopped
Instructions
- Pour oil into a pan and allow it to heat until the rawness of the oil dissipates. If you prefer a more restaurant-style outcome, feel free to add additional oil or ghee to your liking.
- Sauté finely chopped onion in a pan until golden. Onion is not a traditional ingredient in Pakistani chicken karahi but adding a small amount can enhance the gravy. It's optional.
- Once the onions are golden brown, add chopped garlic to the pan and sauté until it turns golden too. While you can use garlic paste, chopped garlic adds a delicate flavor.
- Add the chicken to the pan and sauté it until it turns white. Ensure that it is well mixed. At this point, adding Turmeric Powder will give the chicken a hint of color.
- Add halved tomatoes to the pan, cover, and cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes until tender. Remove the skins, mix well, and let the moisture from the tomatoes cook the chicken. Tomatoes moisture is enough to cook chicken. If required, a small quantity of water can be added.
- Add Red Chili Powder, Crushed Red Chili, Salt, and Coriander Powder. Mix well, cover, and cook on low heat for a minute or two to enhance the flavor. Uncover and stir-fry on high heat until the oil separates.
- Once the oil separates, introduce yogurt to the mixture and continue cooking until the oil begins to separate and accumulate on the sides of the pan once more.
- To complete the dish, add halved green chili peppers, Garam Masala, Ground Black Pepper, and Dried Fenugreek Leaves. Mix everything thoroughly and allow them to cook on low heat for 4-5 minutes. Once done, turn off the heat, and your flavorful chicken karahi is ready to be served on the table.
Notes
FAQs
Yes! Chicken Karahi is one of the most popular dish in and out of Pakistan. Notable in Indian and Pakistani cuisine.
Chicken Karahi can be served with Naan, Raita, Onion rings and salad.
Pulao and Biryani are the best combinations that can be served with Chicken Karahi as a side dish.
Yes you can use ghee instead of cooking oil or you can use both as well ghee will give your dish some smooth texture.
Green chili pepper, heavy use of black pepper and Ginger julienne are the best toppings of Chicken Karahi that enhance the flavour and aroma of the dish.
Its totally up to you if you want to use Thigh, Breast, Bone-in or Bone less chicken.
Chicken Karahi is notable due to its spicy taste. The dish is prepared in a type of wok in open fire, Green Chili Pepper and Black Pepper are key ingredients of Chicken Karahi.
Chicken Karahi is undoubtedly most famous dish in Pakistan and people prefer it more in restaurants.
Chicken karahi is native from Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa which basically gives the sense of heavy use of meat and black pepper but with the passage of time people have started making it in different ways.
Chicken Karahi is a dish full of flavor that can be prepared easily with no finicky steps and commonly served on festivals or some special occasions.
Cooking Chicken in an open pan or wok on open fire basically stir frying technique is the best way to cook Chicken karahi.
Chicken karahi can be prepared easily without any obstacles. 45 min is the max time for cooking.
Chicken karahi can be prepared in advance and can be reheat easily make sure to add little amount of water while reheating the dish.
