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    Cooking Gorgeous » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Easy Chicken Handi Recipe

    Published: Jun 26, 2023 by Ayla Clulee · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Easy Chicken Handi Recipe For Curry Lovers - Creamy, Savory, and Extremely Delicious

    Chicken Handi is a delightful and aromatic curry dish that features marinated tender chicken pieces cooked in a creamy and spicy sauce.

    easy chicken handi served with guyanese roti

    This chicken curry recipe is packed with amazing flavors and incredibly simple to make, making it a perfect choice for both beginner cooks and experienced food enthusiasts.

    For a delightful Indian feast that the whole family will enjoy, serve this dish alongside Guyanese Oil Roti, Yellow Rice (Indian Turmeric Pilau Rice), Onion Bhaji (Onion Pakora), or Keema Naan Bread!

    What is Chicken Handi?

    Chicken Handi is a rich and deliciously creamy North Indian curry dish traditionally cooked in an earthen clay pot. 

    It's made with tender chicken pieces cooked in an aromatic and flavorful gravy made with onions, tomatoes, various spices, and tangy yogurt.

    This Restaurant Style Chicken Handi dish is perfect for serving alongside naan bread or rice.

    chicken hand is served in a claypot

    Why This Recipe Works?

    • The combination of aromatic spices, tender chicken pieces, and a creamy tomato-based sauce creates a delightful flavor profile.
    • This Murgh Handi recipe is easy to follow, making it accessible to both beginner cooks and experienced food enthusiasts.
    • Marinating the chicken allows it to absorb flavors, while slow cooking helps the ingredients blend and develop a rich and savory taste.
    • You can enjoy this Easy Chicken Handi recipe with naan bread or rice, giving you the flexibility to customize it according to your taste.
    • The delicious flavors of this dish make it perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying a comforting meal at home.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

    Labelled picture of ingredients for chicken handi recipe
    • Chicken - You have the option to use boneless chicken thighs or chicken breast for this recipe. Alternatively, bone-in curry cuts or chicken parts like thighs, drumsticks, or wings work well too. Adjust the cooking time based on the type of meat you choose.
    • Onion - You can use diced or sliced brown, yellow, or white onion. Shallots would work great as well.
    • Tomatoes - Use the tastiest tomatoes you can find to get the best result. I prefer beefsteak or Roma tomatoes but any type would work fine as long as they are tasty and juicy.
    • Tomato paste - It adds an umami flavor to the dishes as well as a bright red color. You can find it in Turkish or Middle Eastern shops or buy it online from Amazon .
    • Yogurt - Make sure to use plain, unsweetened natural or Greek yogurt for this recipe. Adding yogurt to the marinade keeps the meat tender and creates a creamy texture in the curry sauce.
    • Spices - All the spices necessary for making Chicken Handi are common pantry staples for those who frequently cook curries at home. Feel free to adjust the spice quantities according to your personal taste preferences.

    How to Make Chicken Handi?

    Making this Chicken Handi Recipe is very easy and straightforward.

    However, to achieve the best results you need to follow a few simple steps:

    Marinate the Chicken

    In a mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of plain natural yogurt, 1 teaspoon of turmeric, ½ teaspoon of garam masala powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt.

    Mix well.

    Add 800 grams of boneless chicken thighs to the yogurt marinade and coat the chicken pieces evenly.

    Set aside for about 30 minutes, ideally 2 hours.

    Prepare the Curry

    In a Dutch oven or a heavy-based pan, melt 2 tablespoons of ghee over medium heat. 

    Add 2 medium diced onions and sauté until golden brown.

    Stir in 1 tablespoon of ginger garlic paste and ½ teaspoon of cumin seeds, and sauté gently for a minute. 

    Add cumin powder, garam masala, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt along with tomato paste.

    Cook for a minute until fragrant.

    Then, add 3 medium chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften and release their juices, for about 15-20 minutes.

    Stir in the yogurt, and mix well until all are nicely incorporated.

    Now, add the marinated chicken pieces to the pan along with 1 teaspoon of dry fenugreek (kasuri methi).

    Stir well to combine.

    Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the chicken cook for about 15 minutes or until it is cooked through and tender.

    Add 30 milliliters of double cream or heavy cream to the pan, and stir gently to incorporate it into the curry. 

    Finally, add chopped green chilies for a spicy kick and simmer the curry for another 5 - 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

    Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.

    Top Tips From the Chef

    • For more flavorful and tender chicken, marinate the chicken pieces for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
    • Sauté the onions until they soften and turn a deep golden brown. This will enhance their sweetness and add richness to the dish.
    • Cook the tomatoes long enough to allow them to break down and release their juices, adding depth to the curry.
    • While cooking the chicken, make sure to cook it on low heat and cover the pan. This will help the chicken pieces cook evenly and retain their tenderness.
    • Adjust the cooking time based on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces. Thicker pieces may require a slightly longer cooking time, while smaller pieces may cook faster.
    • Just before serving, garnish the Chicken Handi with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

    What to Serve with Chicken Handi?

    Enjoy the rich flavors of Chicken Handi with freshly made Garlic Naan - Indian Flatbread or Pakistani Roghni Naan.

    The soft and chewy texture of naan complements the creamy curry perfectly.

    Serve Chicken Handi over aromatic Mushroom Rice (Mushroom Pilau) or Yellow Rice (Indian Turmeric Pilau Rice) for a classic combination.

    If you prefer a lighter option, serve Chicken Handi with Guyanese Oil Roti or chapati.

    These thin, unleavened Indian breads are perfect for scooping up the curry.

    Cool down the spice level of the curry by serving it with Onion Raita, a yogurt-based condiment.

    Storage and Reheating

    Allow the Chicken Handi to cool down completely before transferring it to an airtight container.

    Place the container in the refrigerator to keep the leftovers for up to 3-4 days.

    If you want to keep the leftovers longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.

    When reheating Chicken Handi, you can use a stovetop or microwave for best results.

    Stovetop

    Transfer the desired portion of Chicken Handi to a saucepan.

    Heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated.

    Add a splash of water or broth if needed to prevent drying out.

    Microwave

    Place the Chicken Handi in a microwave-safe container.

    Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent.

    Heat it in the microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, until it is heated evenly throughout.

    It's important to reheat and consume leftovers within a safe timeframe to ensure food safety and maintain the quality of the dish.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I use bone-in chicken for Chicken Handi?

    Yes, you can use bone-in chicken such as thighs, drumsticks, or wings for Chicken Handi.
    Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure the chicken is cooked through.

    Can I make Chicken Handi without ghee?

    If you prefer not to use ghee, you can substitute it with cooking oil or unsalted butter.
    However, ghee adds a distinct flavor to the dish, so keep that in mind while choosing a substitute.

    Can I substitute yogurt with something else?

    Yogurt adds a creamy texture and helps tenderize the chicken.
    If you're unable to use yogurt, you can try using sour cream or buttermilk as alternatives.

    Related Recipe

    For more delicious Indian food recipes why not try:

    • dal palak - spinach dal
      Dal Palak (Spinach Dal)
    • Butternut Squash Curry with Chickpeas
    • 2 pieces of tandoori chicken thighs served on rice
      Spicy Tandoori Chicken Recipe in Oven
    • Indian chickpea salad
      Indian Chickpea Salad (Chana Salad)

    Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

    I hope you enjoy the process of making this delightful and aromatic Easy Chicken Handi Recipe as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂 

    Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!

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    Easy Chicken Handi Recipe

    Ayla Clulee
    Chicken Handi is a delightful and aromatic curry dish that features marinated tender chicken pieces cooked in a creamy and spicy sauce.
    5 from 2 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    45 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 630 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 kitchen scale
    • 1 measuring spoons
    • 1 Measuring cups
    • 1 Lodge Dutch oven

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the Marinade

    • 800 g boneless chicken thighs
    • 2 tablespoon Plain natural yogurt
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric
    • ½ teaspoon garam masala
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    For the Curry

    • 2 tablespoon ghee
    • 2 medium onions (diced)
    • 1 tablespoon garlic ginger paste
    • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
    • ½ teaspoon cumin powder
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala
    • 1 teaspoon coriander
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric
    • 1 teaspoon chili flakes or powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 3 medium tomatoes (chopped)
    • marinated chicken pieces
    • 1 teaspoon dried fenugreek
    • 250 g Plain natural yogurt
    • 30 ml double cream or heavy cream
    • 1 green chili (chopped)
    • fresh coriander leaves (to garnish)

    Instructions
     

    Marinating the Chicken

    • In a mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of plain natural yogurt, 1 teaspoon of turmeric, ½ teaspoon of garam masala, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Mix well.
    • Add 800 grams of boneless chicken thighs to the yogurt marinade and coat the chicken pieces evenly. Set aside for about 30 minutes, ideally 2 hours.

    Preparing the Curry

    • In a Dutch oven or a heavy-based pan, melt 2 tablespoons of ghee over medium heat.
    • Add 2 medium diced onions and sauté until golden brown.
    • Stir in 1 tablespoon of garlic ginger paste and ½ teaspoon of cumin seeds, and sauté gently for a minute.
    • Add ½ teaspoon of cumin powder, 1 teaspoon of garam masala, 1 teaspoon of coriander, 1 teaspoon of turmeric, 1 teaspoon of chili flakes or powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt along with 1 tablespoon of tomato paste. Cook for a minute until fragrant.
    • Then, add 3 medium chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften and release their juices, for about 15-20 minutes.
    • Stir in the yogurt, and mix well until all are nicely incorporated.
    • Now, add the marinated chicken pieces to the pan along with 1 teaspoon of dried fenugreek. Stir well to combine.
    • Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the chicken cook for about 15 minutes or until it is cooked through and tender.
    • Add 30 milliliters of double cream or heavy cream to the pan, stirring gently to incorporate it into the curry.
    • Finally, add 1 chopped green chili for a spicy kick and simmer the curry for another 5 - 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
    • Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.

    Notes

    • For more flavorful and tender chicken, marinate the chicken pieces for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
    • Sauté the onions until they soften and turn a deep golden brown. This will enhance their sweetness and add richness to the dish.
    • Cook the tomatoes long enough to allow them to break down and release their juices, adding depth to the curry.
    • While cooking the chicken, make sure to cook it on low heat and cover the pan. This will help the chicken pieces cook evenly and retain their tenderness.
    • Adjust the cooking time based on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces. Thicker pieces may require a slightly longer cooking time, while smaller pieces may cook faster.
    • Just before serving, garnish the Chicken Handi with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 630kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 37gFat: 46gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 233mgSodium: 1140mgPotassium: 904mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1177IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 139mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cookingorgeous or tag #cookingorgeous!

    This post uses affiliate links. This means that if you click on them and then buy something, we get a small amount of commission to keep the site running, but it doesn’t cost you anything more.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dani

      August 13, 2023 at 6:35 am

      5 stars
      Very easy to make and absolutely scrumptious! Everyone loved it with some nan bread on the side.

      Reply
    2. Alyssa

      September 11, 2024 at 3:01 am

      5 stars
      This is a 9.5 star recipe in our opinion. So delicious, creamy, spicy - just delectable. Easy enough to follow for a person who is new to cooking Indian cuisine, and not too intimidating to keep someone from trying it for the first time! We will be making this again

      Reply
      • Ayla Clulee

        September 11, 2024 at 3:56 am

        Dear Alyssa,
        Thank you for your lovely comment and I am so pleased to hear that the recipe turned out perfect for you!
        Best wishes
        Ayla

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes

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    Welcome to Cooking Gorgeous, where delicious easy-to-follow recipes and culinary inspiration await you! My name is Ayla Clulee, a passionate and professional Cordon Bleu-trained chef, recipe developer, and food content creator with decades of experience. I am based in the UK, and I'm thrilled to have you here.

    The kitchen is my happy place and cooking is my therapy.

    More about me →

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