This restaurant style Chicken Handi is so creamy and luscious. It’s a flavour-rich Pakistani curry which comes together quickly in one pot and is a perfect family meal. Serve it alongside some fluffy naan or plain boiled rice.
What Is Chicken Handi
Chicken Handi translates to chicken in clay pot. Traditionally this curry is made in a terrocota pot which imparts its unique flavour to this dish.
Chicken Handi is milder than other South Asian curries but still rich in flavour. The chicken is cooked in a creamy base of yogurt and cream.
In most Pakistani restaurants, boneless chicken is used for this handi but you can also use bone-in chicken. And in my recipe, I use a standard pot to make this curry.
Chicken Handi Vs Chicken Karahi
The authentic Chicken Karahi has only a tomato-based masala and is traditionally cooked in a karahi (means wok).
Whereas chicken handi includes tomatoes as well as cream and yogurt for a smooth, rich base. Chicken Karahi is also spicier than Chicken Handi.
How To Make Restaurant Style Chicken Handi
- Fry chicken in oil on high flame till it changes colour.
- Then cut two tomatoes in half and let them steam in the pot on medium-low heat till you are able to peel off the skin with tongs. Then break the tomatoes with the spoon and mix in with chicken along with tomato paste. Let everything gel together and the oil to come on top.
- Stir in all the dry spices. You can skip the coconut powder if you don't have it.
- Then add the yogurt and cook it on medium-high flame.
- In the end pour the cooking cream. Let it thicken and add crushed dried fenugreek leaves. They give an amazing flavour to curries.
- Serve this restaurant style Chicken Handi garnished with extra cream and alongside some Garlic Naan or plain boiled rice.
Can You Make Chicken Handi Without Cream
You can replace the cooking cream with half and half. And if you want to skip it entirely increase the yogurt from ¼ cup to ½ cup.
How Long Chicken Handi Lasts
You can store this curry in the fridge in an airtight container for upto a week.
More Pakistani Curries
Let’s stay connected! Follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for the latest updates. And subscribe to my YouTube channel for video recipes.
📖 Recipe
Restaurant Style Chicken Handi
Ingredients
- 500 g boneless chicken cut in cubes
- ½ cup oil
- 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
- 2 medium tomatoes halved
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup yogurt
- 1 teaspoon coconut powder/flakes
- ¼ cup cooking cream
- 1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves
Instructions
- Heat oil and add the chicken on high flame along with ginger garlic paste.
- Fry till the chicken changes colour then put the halved tomatoes. Lower the heat to medium-low, cover the pan and let the tomatoes steam until you are able to pull off their skin.
- Then add all the dry spices: chili flakes, red chili powder, white pepper, black pepper, salt, cumin powder and coriander powder. Also add tomato paste and mix.
- On high heat, let cook till the oil starts to come on top. Then mix in the coconut powder.
- Stir in yogurt and keeping the heat high wait for the oil to come on top once again.
- Then finally add the cooking cream and dried fenugreek.
- Cover the pot and let simmer for 5 mins on low heat.
- Add to your serving dish and drizzle some extra cream on top. Garnish with sliced ginger, green chilies and fresh coriander. Enjoy with naan, roti or boiled rice!
Notes
- You can also use bone-in chicken instead of boneless.
- Skip the coconut powder/flakes if you don't have it.
Nutrition
PIN ME FOR LATER
Peter says
what is ginger garlic paste?
Qashang says
Equal parts of crushed ginger and garlic.
Aniqa says
Made this yesterday along with your chicken tikka masala. We were trying to choose a dish to make for an upcoming party between these 2 recipes. I really liked this one because it was quick & easy and turned out great. However all the kids loved the Chk tikka masala more.
Definitely your site is inspiring me to try different dishes. By the way what does Qashang mean...a very different name 🙂
Qashang says
Thank you for trying my recipes. My name means beautiful. 🙂
Ambreen says
Tomato paste is mentioned in the ingredients but not in the directions. Would really appreciate clarification
Qashang says
Sorry missed it! Just edited the recipe card. Add tomato paste along with the dry spices.
BtBj says
Hi, i was searching the net for some good pakistani recipes and landed on your site and the recipe looked so good with that yumm pic! I just finished making this and i say its absolutely delish! this is a keeper recipe..my kid also loved it!
Qashang says
Thanks a lot! Glad you liked the recipe.