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Chicken Karahi, or Kadai chicken, is undoubtedly one of the most popular curries in and out of Pakistan and India. This is a restaurant-style Pakistani Chicken Karahi recipe that can be prepared quickly and easily with no finicky steps.
What is Chicken Karahi?
Karahi is named after the pan in which it was originally cooked – a heavy, often cast-iron pan that’s similar to a wok, but rounder with a flatter base. Traditionally, meat would be simmered and stir-fried in this karahi in an open fire.
I’ve read in multiple places that karahi originates in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly Northwest Frontier) province of Pakistan, which makes sense given the cuisine’s heavy use of meat and black pepper.
Chicken karahi’s distinguishing features are its rich, tomatoey base and a fragrant finishing of green chili peppers, cilantro, and slivers of ginger.
Does chicken karahi include onion?
Most would agree that traditional Pakistani chicken karahi does not include onions. But, when I polled my Instagram community, I found that the majority preferred it with the onions.
After several trials, I decided to include a small onion simply because I just can’t get enough of karahi’s ‘masala’ and onions help produce more of the good stuff. Nonetheless, it is totally up to you if you want to add onions or not, so feel free to omit.
Type of Tomatoes Used in Karahi
The tomatoes are the star ingredient in chicken karahi, so it’s important to use ripe, tasty ones. I’ve tried this recipe with both Roma and vine tomatoes and they both work well. However, I prefer Roma because vine tomatoes will often add too much moisture and sometimes you’ll have to sauté it out.
Chicken Cuts and Using Boneless Chicken
Traditionally, Karahi is made from a cut up whole chicken. One tip regarding the chicken cuts is to make sure your chicken pieces are small. That is – try not to use a large chicken (this recipe calls for 2.2 lbs), or large cuts.
You may use boneless chicken as well, though you’ll cook the chicken for a shorter time and spend a longer time sautéing out the moisture.
Note: This recipe calls for around 2.2 lbs of chicken. Adjust salt, spices, etc. according to the amount of chicken you have. Also, if you’re only serving 2-3 people, you can use around 1 pound of chicken and halve the rest of the ingredients.
More Tips for Making the Best Chicken Karahi:
- Even though no water is used to cook the chicken, if you’re using a smaller pan, you may end up with too much liquid after the chicken has cooked. If that’s the case, carefully take out the liquid into a smaller saucepan and cook it down. Then add the reduced liquid back to the chicken. This will prevent the chicken from getting too tender and falling off the bone.
- If you don’t like julienned ginger in your curry (but why?), add more crushed ginger in the beginning and less, if at all, at the end.
- Freshly ground black pepper is an essential finishing touch and helps bring together the beautiful depth of flavors. Try not to use pre-ground black pepper, unless you’ve ground it yourself…fresh..preferably minutes ago. Heh. You get my point.
What to Serve with Chicken Karahi
Typically, curries with lots of gravy go well with both rice and roti, and curries with minimal gravy go well with roti. Since chicken karahi is a ‘dry’ curry, it goes incredibly well with Tandoori naan, roti, or other bread.
More Pakistani chicken recipes you may like:
Authentic Chicken Korma
Baked Tandoori Chicken Curry
Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Coconut Chicken Curry with Potatoes
Instant Pot Pakistani Chicken Curry with potatoes
Instant Pot Chicken Pulao
If you try this recipe, please let me know in the comments below. If you’re on Instagram, please tag me so I can see your creations. I love hearing from you!
Pakistani Chicken Karahi
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 2 tbsp neutral oil or sub more ghee
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 8 garlic cloves crushed
- 3/4 inch ginger crushed
- 1-2 Serrano or Thai green chili peppers whole
- 2.2 lbs skinless, bone-in chicken
- 8 small (around 600 grams) tomatoes (I use Roma or Vine) diced
- 2 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder or to taste
- 2 tsp kosher salt divided
- ¼ cup plain whole-milk yogurt whisked
- 1 tsp black peppercorns freshly ground, or more to taste
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 2-3 green chili peppers slit in half
- 1-2 tbsp fresh ginger julienned
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pan over high heat, and add the ghee and oil. Once hot, add the onions and sauté for 5-6 minutes, or until lightly golden. Add garlic, ginger, and whole green chili pepper and sauté for about a minute.
- Add the chicken and ½ tsp salt and sauté for 5 minutes, or until the color of the chicken changes and it has stopped releasing water. Add the tomatoes, coriander, cumin, red chili pepper, and remaining salt and sauté for another minute.
- Lower the heat to medium, cover, and allow the chicken cook for 20 minutes, stirring once in between.
- Raise the heat to high and continue to sauté for 10 minutes to finish cooking the chicken and reduce excess liquid.* You will notice the chicken taking on a glossy appearance as the ghee/oil starts to separate.
- Lower the heat to medium, add in the whisked yogurt, and gently sauté for 2-3 minutes. Taste and add more salt, if needed. Add freshly ground black peppercorns and garam masala, and stir to combine. Top with green chili peppers, julienned ginger, and cilantro. Serve hot with roti, naan, bread, or rice.
Hello,
Very well explained. Thank you. I understand this post is over a year old. Can you modify this recipe if made with beef or lamb. Thanks
Thank you! I haven’t tried it with beef or lamb but I’d suggest increasing cooking time. You may need to add water if the tomatoes don’t have enough water content to cook the beef.
As someone who does not eat spicy food at all cooking this for a Pakistani friend was interesting! He said he was taken back home, so I’m counting that as a massive win. Thank you for making it so easy to follow, that in itself is a skill.
I love this comment, Denise. Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness and for taking the time to share your review!
AsSalaam Alaikum… My taste buds took a non-stop flight straight back to Pakistan.
Thanks for the great recipe!
W.S. aH That is awesome! Thank you!
One word. Amazing!!!
Thank you, Kezia!!!
Can I use tomato purée mixed with regular plum tomatoes I don’t have enough plum tomatoes
Yes Farrah, that would work just fine!
My husband was a fan, and he only likes his mother’s cooking.
Thanks, Margie!
Hello there, what can I substitute for the yogurt ? I am lactose intolerant.
Nandhini, you can just omit it.
This was a fantastic recipe. My kiddos loved it!!
That’s awesome! Thank you!!
I’m vegan so can’t review this recipe from my personal experience but I made it for my dad and he said it was absolutely lovely! Thank you s much for the recipes – my family has been loving them during lockdown!
So nice of you to make it for him and I’m honored to hear that you like them. Thank you very much for your review!
originally tried a curry from one of our locals a few years ago. it was perfect for my palette. Tried for years to replicate but to no avail… until now. Superb.
Love it!! Thanks so much, Dave. VERY glad to hear that!
My husband was a fan, and he only likes his mother’s cooking. 🙂
So awesome! Thank you!
Very very good recipe and very well explained.
Thanks very much!
Salaam. I tried this recipe during Ramadan. For me, it was the best chicken karahi I’ve ever tasted. But the best part is that my mother in law approved of it, she is difficult to get praise from, so yes yours is the best recipe and I will be making this more often. Thanks a lot!
So happy to hear that, Asra. Aren’t all mother in law’s? 😉 🙂 Thanks for your review!
I tried making this for my family. Tastes very authentic and just like my moms recipe! Super delish, will definitely make again!!! ????
Thank you, Samrah! So glad you enjoyed it!
Hi! I’m ready to try yet another recipe of yours! Just a little confused- I have bone in chicken legs. Is that ok to use?
That’s certainly okay, Sarah! Apologies for the delay in response!
Assalaam O Alikum. I am a white lady married to a pakistani man. My husband made this once for us and I wanted to surprise him by making it too. I followed your recipe and he said it was exactly like the way he made his. Thank you for helping a wife make her husband happy
Never had this scrumptious home cooked karahi in my life. Amazing receipe to keep forever.
Yay! Thank you!
Izzah, thank you for sharing this incredible recipe. I’ve been searching high and a low for an authentic, restaurant-quality Karahi recipe, and was so excited to stumble upon your take. I’ve already made this twice, and it tasted even better the second time – the freshly ground black peppercorns definitely made a difference. My mom even mentioned that this was better than her version, which had me floored! I’m new to cooking and am so excited to try out your other recipes – thinking of attempting the Instant Pot Nihari next. Thanks again!
I’m honored to hear that, Anam! Thanks so much for trying and sharing such a kind review!
Izzah, I cook Indian food from scratch loads and was looking for a chicken karahi recipe after needing a change from all the other recipes I do. As soon as I looked at the ingredients And read the method I could tell it was authentic and from someone who knew what they were doing. I usually veer away from American recipes as I’m usually disappointed and don’t like ‘cup measurements ’ of everything. All I can say is the method was perfect giving details about what to look out for happening in the pan not just a time. I did double the chilli as I love heat and it was spot on for me and my family. I did Home made Roti breads and incLauded the Ginger julienne Which was delicious. I’m printing off the recipe for future Occasions. That’s so much Izzah, I’ll be checking out your other recipes and looking out for you on Facebook & Instagram xx
What a wonderful comment, Damian. South Asian cuisine is very nuanced and you’ve examined well why it’s hard to capture recipes for them. Honored that you enjoyed it so much. Thank you!!
Just made this for my family for the very first time. It turned out absolutely perfectly – I would even say it’s as good as my mother-in-law’s recipe! We’ll definitely make this again!
That is awesome! Thank you, Ameenah!!
The karahi was delicious…. great recipe!!! Probably the best I’ve ever made or tasted. Thank you for sharing
What a day-making review. Thank you, Fawaz!!
Superb! Absolutely delicious karah????
Thank you so much for sharing ????
Assalamualaikum. I’m still in the making. Left with the last step and I tasted the dish. It’s really going to be something great!
So glad to hear that, Bushra. Hope you enjoyed it!!
I made this last night. It was absolutely delicious! Better than any restaurant chicken Karachi I’ve had and I love chicken Karachi. Making more tonight to freeze. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Love this, Agnes! You’re welcome and thank you for your review!
I am not much of a cook but you have inspired me to try out your recipe and so many more!
Love the step-by-step videos!
Thank you,
Sheri
Thanks so much, Sheri!
Hey, i tried it today..Really amazing!…perfect restaurant taste????…evry1 loved it
Awesome! Thanks so much, Sumi!
Better than any chicken karahi I have had at a restaurant! This turned out purely divine! Thank you! 🙂
Thanks so much, Anna!!
I am so delighted to see such a great website with such descriptIve Info about Pakistani authentic food recipes
Thank you so much!!
Thank you, Naheed!
Ok… I rarely leave reviews for anything- even things I buy. But this… this was AMAZING!! I made it and had it last night, and again for breakfast with paratha this morning. Thank you so much for the clear notes and instructions too- all on point. I’ll definitely be sharing this with my fam fam, and checking out what other recipes you got.
SO happy to hear that and thanks for such an awesome review!
Thank you so much for this amazing recipe. So well written recipe and allows for so much experimentation..
First time, I made it as is. Second time, I used dried dundicut pepper chilies because I didn’t have green chilies on hand and didn’t use any yogurt. Still came out so so good. And added some julienned ginger in the last 10 minutes of cooking along with three tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Sounds delicious and I love the use of dundicut! Thanks so much for sharing your review, Fes!
Just made this and it is sooo good. Exceeded my expectations. I will definitely make this again. Thanks for sharing.
Yay! That’s always the goal. Thanks so much for sharing your review!
Brilliant. I like the initial pointers like the black paper one.
Thanks a lot!!
I didn’t have a lot of tomatoes so I added tomatoe paste.
So glad to hear that, Farah! Thanks for taking the time to review!
Can I use sour cream if I don’t have yoghurt?
Hi Sehar, I haven’t tried using sour cream in curry. I suppose it would give a thicker and richer texture.
This recipe is SO good and authentic! I made this last night and it took me back to my mom’s chicken karahi. This is my absolute go to now. Thank you so much for sharing! Your recipes always turn out amazing. 🙂
Ah, so nice to hear that. Thank you for taking the time to share!
This chicken karahi was so good! Totally tasted like something you would eat at a nice restaurant. As always when making your recipes, I was surprised I made something so delicious!
Thank you, Eshi!! 🙂
At Butt Kadhai in Lahore, they pressure cook the chicken first with tomatoes, onions, etc., large desi murgis ( free range birds) then stiry fry with more stuff, esp black pepper, on high heat. In India kadhai chicken is bird stirfried in greasy gravy with capsicum. Your timatar only version looks delish – and appears to be from the Pathan areas
I have often read the Indian version has capsicum but wasn’t sure! Great info. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!
OI so love this recipe
Thank you, Celine!
Well done.keep it up