Bihari Chicken
Recipe Summary
- A rich and spicy Indian chicken curry cooked with whole garlic, milk, and yogurt, featuring tender bone-in chicken pieces marinated and fried before being simmered in a flavorful tomato-based gravy. This dish offers a deep, vibrant flavor profile.
All Ingredients - For Marination
- Chicken 1 kg (2.2 lb)
- Lemon juice Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt 1 tsp
- Turmeric 1 tsp
- Kashmiri Chilli Powder 2 tsp
All Ingredients - For Gravy
- Mustard Oil 3/4 cup
- Yogurt/Curd 1/2 cup
- Onion 1 cup (finely chopped)
- Water 1 cup
- Milk 1 cup
- Tomato Paste 1 1/4 cup
- Whole Garlic 2 heads
- Ginger Garlic Paste 1 tbsp
- Kashmiri Chilli Powder 2 tsp
- Coriander Powder 2 tsp
- Cumin Powder 1 tsp
- Turmeric 1 tsp
- Ghee 1 tbsp
Tools You'll Need
- Pan
- Mixing bowl
Don't have an ingredient? Try these swaps
No Lemon juice?
- Lime juice (1:1)
- 1/2 the amount white vinegar — In dressings, savory dishes.
No Yogurt?
- Sour cream (1:1)
- Buttermilk (1:1, slightly thinner result)
No Onion?
- 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
- 3 tbsp dried minced onion
- Shallots or leeks (1:1)
No Milk?
- Unsweetened almond / soy / oat milk (1:1)
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk + 1/2 cup water (per 1 cup)
No Garlic (fresh)?
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
No Ghee?
- Unsalted butter (1:1)
- Neutral oil (1:1, lacks the toasted note)
⚠ Contains Allergens
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Place the 1kg of bone-in, skin-off chicken pieces in a mixing bowl. Add the juice of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of turmeric, and 2 teaspoons of Kashmiri chili powder. Mix thoroughly with a gloved hand, ensuring all chicken pieces are well coated. Set aside for marination.
Step 2: Fry the Chicken
Heat 3/4 cup of mustard oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, carefully add the marinated chicken pieces. Fry the chicken for on each side until they are nicely golden brown. Remove the fried chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Step 3: Sauté Onions and Spices
Reduce the oil in the pan by three-quarters, leaving about 1/4 cup of oil along with any chicken juices and browned bits. Add 1 cup of finely chopped onions to the pan and cook for over slightly above medium heat until they are softened and lightly browned. Add 1 tablespoon of ginger garlic paste and 1 teaspoon of salt. Continue to cook for another , stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Step 4: Build the Tomato Base
Pour in 1 cup of cold water and add the 2 whole heads of garlic (outer skin peeled). Mix well and continue to cook for another , maintaining a vibrant heat and stirring occasionally. Next, add 1/2 cup of whisked yogurt (ensure it's smooth to prevent curdling). Mix thoroughly and cook for , stirring constantly. Finally, add 1 cup of milk and continue mixing for about .
Step 5: Simmer with Garlic and Liquids
Return the fried chicken pieces to the pan, along with any accumulated juices. Lower the heat to just above a simmer. Cover the pan and let it simmer for , stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution. Turn off the heat. Check the salt level and adjust if necessary. Stir in 1 tablespoon of ghee for richness and aroma. The Bihari Chicken is now ready to be served.
Pro Tips
• Whisk the yogurt until smooth before adding to prevent lumps in the curry.
• Stir the ginger-garlic paste and spices frequently to prevent them from burning, which can make the curry bitter.
• Mustard oil is recommended for an authentic flavor, but other cooking oils can be used as a substitute.
• Adjust the amount of chili powder to suit your preferred spice level.
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