Dahi Chicken Recipe

Dahi Chicken, a popular chicken recipe made with minimum ingredients, yogurt and spices. Dahi chicken Recipe also known as curd chicken, dahi wala chicken is a creamy chicken curry flavoured with jeera, dried fenugreek leaves, ginger & garlic. This yogurt chicken can be paired with roti, jeera rice or naan.

Dahi Chicken

You can never believe, a chicken curry that is made with minimum ingredients can taste this good. You have to try this Dahi wala chicken made with yogurt, onions and spices. Spicy, tangy and very flavourful Dahi chicken which goes well with roti, rice or pulao. This dish has similar taste like my Kashmiri Chicken Yakhni.

About Dahi Chicken (Curd Chicken)

Dahi Chicken or Dahi wale chicken is a creamy chicken curry which is popular in North India, Pakistan and other parts of the world. The chicken is simmered in thick yogurt which forms a silky oily sauce to dunk in naan or chapati in.

Dahi chicken is a simple chicken curry, which has yogurt. This recipe doesn't have tomatoes instead yogurt is added for the tangy and creamy taste. The whole curry gets its unique aroma from Dry kasuri methi leaves.

This chicken dish is made in a unique simple method. Sear chicken in a pan with salt, turmeric for few minutes, remove to a separate bowl. Saute onions, ginger and garlic in the same pan, add seared chicken back in and pour over whisked yogurt and simmer till cooked to create a creamy sauce.

Dahi Chicken can be served with pulao, garlic naan, steamed rice, phulka or kulcha.

Similar Recipes,
Andhra Chicken Curry
Chicken Salna
Easy Chicken Curry
Traditional Chicken Curry

Dahi Chicken Ingredients

Chicken - I like to use a whole chicken cut into pieces. I find the flavour is much better when you use whole chicken instead of boneless chicken. But if you prefer you can opt for boneless chicken thigh instead of chicken breast which can turn rubbery.

Dahi (Curd | Yogurt) - Thick, Greek style yogurt is preferred in this recipe. Make sure you whisk curd really well for smooth texture.

Onions - Slice onion thinly and cook them till golden brown which imparts sweet flavour in the chicken.

Ginger Garlic Paste - fresh ginger and garlic adds the aroma.

Spices - dahi chicken is a simple dish with minimum ingredients. Use cumin seeds and cinnamon for flavouring. You can add couple of bay leaves if you want too. Turmeric, garam masala, cumin & chilli powder are the only spice powders you want in this dish.

Kasuri Methi (Dried fenugreek leaves) - add a good amount of dried fenugreek leaves which lifts the whole curry to a new level.

How to Make Dahi Chicken (Stepwise Pictures)

Whisk Dahi (yogurt)

1)You need thick dahi, homemade thick yogurt or curd in this recipe. Take curd in a bowl and use a spoon of whisk to mix till it is creamy and smooth. This step is important. Also make sure your yogurt is at room temperature.

Sear Chicken

2)Heat oil in a kadai, wok or any pan of choice. You can use ghee instead of oil.

3)Add in chicken along with crushed ginger garlic, salt and turmeric powder. As you can see I am using whole chicken cut into pieces. Bone-in chicken turns out more flavourful and juicy than boneless chicken.

4)Cook the chicken on high heat for 6 to 8 minutes till it gets light golden in colour. Remove the chicken to a bowl.

Make Dahi Chicken Base

5)In the same pan, add extra oil or ghee if needed. Add in cumin seeds and cinnamon stick. Let them sizzle in hot oil for few seconds.

6)Add in sliced onions.

7)Cook till onions get golden brown in colour. It will take few minutes.

8)Add in green chillies, ginger and garlic. Saute this for 2 minutes or so till aromatic.

9)Now reduce the heat and add in your spice powders. I am using turmeric, cumin powder, chilli powder and garam masala powder. Once spices are added, quickly toss in with the oil for 5 seconds or so so the spices doesn't burn.

10)Add in the seared chicken into the spices.

11)Mix the chicken with the onion, ginger, garlic and spice powder.

Adding Dahi in Dahi Chicken

12)Now turn off the flame, pour in the well whisked yogurt into the chicken. If you add yogurt when the heat is on, it may curdle and split. So it is better to take it off the heat when adding yogurt.

13)Once yogurt is added, mix the chicken really well. Now turn the heat back on.

14)Reduce the flame to the lowest possible. Cover the kadai with a lid. Cook on low heat for 25 to 30 minutes till chicken is completely cooked.

15)Now the chicken is cooked and a thin layer of oil floating on top which indicates that the curry is done.

16)The final flavouring in dahi chicken is coriander leaves and dried fenugreek leaves.

17)Mix well and enjoy.

18)Serve dahi chicken with roti, naan and jeera rice.

Expert Tips

• It is important to turn off the heat before adding yogurt else it may curdle or split because of the heat.
• Searing the chicken well in oil makes it taste delicious.
• Take your time to cook onions till golden brown which imparts flavour.
• Once curd is added, cook on very low heat till chicken is cooked completely.
• Kasuri methi and coriander leaves added in the end is important for the flavour.

More Simple Curry Recipes

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