Chicken Karahi
A fragrant, restaurant-style chicken curry that comes together in one pan.
Chicken karahi is a beloved South Asian dish cooked in a deep pan until a sauce of tomato and spices clings to the chicken pieces. Ginger, garlic, and crushed chilli give it a warm heat, while yogurt lends richness and body. It is usually served with bread or rice and finished with fresh coriander.
How to Prepare
Sauté the chopped onion until golden.
Add the chicken and cook until it changes colour.
Stir in the garlic, ginger, mixed spices, black pepper, turmeric, dry coriander, garam masala and crushed chilli.
Add the ground tomatoes and cook until the sauce thickens and the oil separates.
Stir in the yogurt and let it simmer until the chicken is tender.
Season with salt, scatter over fresh coriander and serve with white rice or naan.
Made it? Rate this recipe
Cook the tomatoes down well until the oil rises before adding the yogurt — this gives the karahi its deep flavour.
Ingredient Swaps
Swap the chicken pieces for lamb, extending the cooking time until tender.
No yogurt? Use cream, or leave it out for a lighter sauce.
Ground tomatoes can be replaced with canned tomato sauce when needed.
Common Questions
Why wait for the oil to separate from the sauce?
The oil separating signals the spices and tomato are cooked and the flavor is deep.
How do I control the heat level?
Adjust the amount of crushed chilli to taste.
Is garam masala essential?
It is optional, but it adds a distinctive aromatic depth at the end.
When do I add the yogurt?
After the sauce thickens, stirring constantly so it does not curdle.
What should I serve it with?
With naan or white rice and lemon wedges.
More from the Kitchen
Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani
How to make Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani: Fragrant Hyderabadi chicken biryani with marinated chicken, spiced basmati rice, fried onion and fresh mint.
Read Recipe
Easy Broasted Chicken
How to make Easy Broasted Chicken: Crispier than takeout — buttermilk-marinated chicken in seasoned flour, served with coleslaw and potato toum.
Read Recipe
Creamy Chicken over Mashed Potato
How to make Creamy Chicken over Mashed Potato: Creamy mushroom chicken spooned over smooth mashed potato, topped with mozzarella and baked.
Read Recipe
Homemade Sushi
How to make Homemade Sushi: An easy homemade sushi with seasoned rice, crab and air-fried chicken sticks, carrot and cucumber, and a creamy spicy sauce.
Read Recipe
One-Pot Kushari
How to make One-Pot Kushari: A clever one-pot version of Egyptian kushari — rice, lentils and two pastas with a spiced tomato sauce and crispy onions.
Read Recipe
Sauteed Shrimp with Vegetables
How to make Sauteed Shrimp with Vegetables: A quick, healthy shrimp saute with ginger, garlic and crisp vegetables in a light, fragrant pan.
Read Recipe