You'll definitely end up impressing your friends and family with this delicious authentic Chicken Karahi Curry recipe! It's so simple to make and tastes completely authentic!
If there is one thing we know for sure, it is that our mixed ethnic background has led us to try so many cuisines lately, but both of us keep rushing back to this amazingly spicy yet tangy Indian/Pakistani Curry called Karahi.
If you haven't heard of Karahi, don't worry! This is the basic Indian curry you see in the restaurants (and also the one you crave late at night!). Typically North Indian and Pakistani curries (no really, they're nearly identical!) have either a tomato base or a yogurt base - and sometimes mixture of both! The aromatic spices and herbs used in this curry makes it extra special. And the best part is that it's super easy! (We promise to you it is!). In fact, you can be done making the whole curry in 30 mins tops! How's that for a weekend family dinner dish eh?
There are SO many variations of Karahi it's ridiculous! Every region in India and Pakistan will have a certain twist to their Karahi but the basis of it is usually the same. We absolutely love this version because it's so easy and quick to make but it always seems like you put incredible amounts of effort into it! We're sure you'll end up impressing some of your Indian/Pakistani friends when you whip this up at your next dinner party.
As most of you would know, both of us are certified chefs (and holistic nutritionists in the making! You can read more about us here) but this particular curry was something we just could not perfect ourselves. While living away from our families in Dubai, both of us resorted to each other's kitchen to try and replicate this curry that we've had so many times at home - but it just wouldn't taste right. And it didn't help that we were (read: Aena was) craving it SO bad (we sense some home sickness!). So we resorted to having Aena's mom demonstrate the curry for us when we met her recently and after some practise, we finally have it down! And trust us, we're so excited to be sharing it with you.
The secret is in the technique - but it really isn't complicated at all. Just follow the recipe to a tee and you'll end up making the tastiest curry you've ever had! It's delicious, it's spicy, it's everything you wish it would be! Top it off with some coriander before serving to give it a beautiful touch of green (and some seriously amazing aroma!).
Aena got this beautiful spice box some time back and we just had to include it in the pictures. The colors are beautiful and it's so convenient to use while looking! We didn't really need to use all the spices in this box but it sure came handy!
Also remember, you can totally make the curry spicier or milder as per your liking. This curry is just right though, and is our absolute favorite! The chicken is tender and juicy while the curry has perfect balance of all the spices. It goes perfectly with bread (naan is our choice!) and makes for a perfect family dinner.
So are we all ready for the recipe? Here goes!
Authentic Chicken Karahi Curry
You'll definitely end up impressing your friends and family with this delicious recipe!
Ingredients
- 500 grams Boneless Chicken Breasts
- 1 kilo chopped tomatoes (no need to peel)
- 1 medium red onion finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon white cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 4 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ cup water
- salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped coriander
- 2 - 3 green chilis (optional)
- dash of lemon juice
Instructions
- Cut chicken breasts into chunks.
- Roughly chop the tomatoes without removing the skin and mince garlic and ginger.
- Heat oil in pan on medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until they start to turn golden.
- Add ginger and garlic and cook for one minute while constantly stirring.
- Add the chicken to the pan and sauté (until the chicken has turned white).
- Add all the spices (red chili powder, garam masala, white cumin and turmeric) and cook for 30 seconds while constantly stirring.
- Immediately add ½ cup water to the pan to prevent the spices from burning and follow it with the chopped tomatoes.
- Leave to cook on medium to low heat for approximately 20 to 30 minutes or until the tomatoes have completely dissolved.
- Add more water and cook for 5 minutes longer if the chicken isn't tender yet. All the spices will infuse into the chicken and by the time it's tender they'll be infused into the chicken - yum!
- Taste and adjust spices. Add salt to taste.
- Garnish with green chilis and coriander before serving as well as a dash of lemon juice.
Notes
You can use garlic and ginger paste instead of minced ginger and garlic.
Add a little water and cook for 5 to 10 minutes longer if tomatoes haven't dissolved completely before taking off the stove.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 204Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 143mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 21g
All this food talk about this delicious curry made us extremely hungry! But thankfully we have some left over from last night. Make sure to come back to our website tomorrow for a new delicious recipe!
Rob S
What a beautiful curry. This is now my go to recipe.
The only thing i do dofferent is i add a knorr chicken stockpot before i add the tomatoes, and i also add frozen peas which really adds to it.
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
Sydney Dyer
I have made many curries of varied recipes and fancy myself as a pretty good cook, always had compliments on the results, but I must say this recipe was delicious.i made one addition at the end by by stirring in a tablespoon of cream,
David Elcock
I'm making this on Saturday, for my wife and i, looking forward to it !
Naz
Had some boneless chicken defrosted and had very little time to cook dinner. Came across your recipe whilst surfing and I have to say it was delicious. Loved by all and so simple and easy to make. Luckily had some naan in the freezer too so was Perfect! Thank you.