Easy Kadhai Chicken Recipe: A Flavorful Homemade Lunch Delight

For those who cherish a hearty and flavorful meal, especially on weekends, this desi Kadhai Chicken recipe is an absolute treat. It promises to tantalize your taste buds with its rich blend of spices and succulent chicken, making it an ideal choice for a satisfying lunch at home. Below, we guide you through the simplest way to prepare this classic dish, ensuring a delightful culinary experience.

Ingredients You'll Need

To create this mouthwatering Kadhai Chicken, gather the following ingredients:

1½ tablespoons of coriander seeds
4–5 dried red chillies
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
4–5 black peppercorns
750 grams of chicken pieces
3 tablespoons of mustard oil
2 medium onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 teaspoon of Kashmiri red chilli powder
½ teaspoon of turmeric powder
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon of crushed kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
Water as needed
Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Begin by thoroughly washing the chicken pieces and setting them aside to drain. This ensures cleanliness and helps the chicken absorb flavors better during cooking.
Dry Roast the Spices: In a pan, dry roast the coriander seeds, dried red chillies, cumin seeds, and black peppercorns over low heat. Stir continuously until they become aromatic, which usually takes a few minutes. Be careful not to burn them, as this can affect the taste.
Grind the Spices: Allow the roasted spices to cool completely. Once cooled, grind them into a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder. This homemade spice blend will add a robust flavor to your Kadhai Chicken.
Sauté the Aromatics: Heat mustard oil in a heavy-bottomed kadhai or a deep pan. Add the chopped onions and sauté them until they turn golden brown. Then, incorporate the ginger-garlic paste and cook until the raw smell dissipates, ensuring the base is well-flavored.
Add Tomatoes and Spices: Introduce the chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, and salt to the kadhai. Cook this mixture on medium heat until the oil starts to separate from the masala, indicating that the tomatoes are well-cooked and the spices are properly blended.
Cook the Chicken: Add the washed chicken pieces to the kadhai and sauté them on medium-high heat for about 5–6 minutes. This step helps seal in the juices and allows the chicken to absorb the flavors of the masala.
Simmer with Spice Powder: Now, add the freshly ground spice powder to the kadhai and mix everything thoroughly. Pour in approximately 2 cups of water, cover the kadhai with a lid, and let it cook on low to medium heat for 15–20 minutes. This slow cooking process ensures the chicken becomes tender and the flavors meld together beautifully.
Garnish and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked through and the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency, sprinkle crushed kasuri methi and garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Your Kadhai Chicken is now ready to be enjoyed hot with roti or rice, making for a perfect lunchtime feast.

This easy Kadhai Chicken recipe not only brings the authentic taste of Indian cuisine to your home but also offers a comforting and flavorful meal that is sure to impress. Whether you're cooking for family or friends, it's a dish that promises satisfaction and culinary joy.