Chicken Karahi

Chicken Karahi is a medium Pakistani recipe that serves 4. 698 calories per serving. Recipe by Samina Food Story on YouTube.

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 38 min | Total: 1 hr 5 min

Cost: $8.95 total, $2.24 per serving

Ingredients

  • 0.5 cup Vegetable Oil (use any neutral oil; can reduce to 1/3 cup for lighter version)
  • 750 g Chicken Pieces (bone‑in pieces, skin optional, trimmed)
  • 1.5 tsp Salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste (store‑bought; add a splash of water to thin)
  • 2 tbsp Water (for thinning ginger‑garlic paste)
  • 3 large Tomatoes (blended into a smooth paste; skin can be left on)
  • 1.5 tsp Coriander Powder
  • 1 tsp Cumin Powder
  • 0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 5 Dried Red Chilies (whole, for mild heat)
  • 0.5 cup Plain Yogurt (unsweetened, not overly sour)
  • 0.5 tsp Garam Masala
  • 1 tsp Black Peppercorns (coarsely crushed)
  • 2 tbsp Heavy Cream (adds richness at the end)
  • 4 Green Chilies (slit lengthwise)
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Ginger (julienned for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat Oil

    Place the karahi on medium‑high heat and add ½ cup vegetable oil. Let it warm for about 2 minutes.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: medium‑high

  2. Brown the Chicken

    Add the chicken pieces to the hot oil. Fry, stirring occasionally, until the pieces turn golden brown on all sides.

    Time: PT8M

    Temperature: medium‑high

  3. Season with Salt

    Sprinkle 1½ tsp salt over the browned chicken and give it a quick stir.

    Time: PT1M

  4. Add Ginger‑Garlic Paste

    Stir in 1 tbsp ginger‑garlic paste along with 2 tbsp water. Mix well so the paste coats the chicken.

    Time: PT2M

  5. Incorporate Tomato Paste

    Add the blended tomato paste (or the 3 blended tomatoes). Stir to combine with the chicken.

    Time: PT2M

  6. Cover and Simmer

    Cover the karahi with a lid, reduce heat to medium, and let the mixture simmer for 12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

    Time: PT12M

    Temperature: medium

  7. Add Ground Spices

    Uncover the pan and add 1½ tsp coriander powder, 1 tsp cumin powder, ½ tsp turmeric, and 4‑5 whole dried red chilies. Stir and fry for 4 minutes.

    Time: PT4M

    Temperature: medium

  8. Mix in Yogurt

    Lower the heat to low, add ½ cup plain yogurt, and stir quickly to prevent curdling. Cook for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens.

    Time: PT3M

    Temperature: low

  9. Finish with Garam Masala & Pepper

    Add ½ tsp garam masala and 1 tsp coarsely crushed black pepper. Stir for 1 minute.

    Time: PT1M

  10. Final Enrichments

    Stir in 2 tbsp heavy cream, the sliced green chilies, and julienned ginger. Mix gently for 2 minutes.

    Time: PT2M

  11. Serve

    Turn off the heat and serve the chicken karahi hot, directly from the pan, with naan or rice.

    Time: PT0M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
698
Protein
41 g
Carbohydrates
10 g
Fat
29 g
Fiber
2 g

Dietary info: Gluten‑Free, High‑Protein, Contains Dairy

Allergens: Dairy

Last updated: March 15, 2026

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Chicken Karahi

Recipe by Samina Food Story

A restaurant‑style Chicken Karahi made at home with bone‑in chicken, tomato‑based gravy, yogurt, and a touch of cream. Simple ingredients and quick steps give you the authentic flavor of hotel‑served karahi without the extra fuss.

MediumPakistaniServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
10m
Prep
27m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
47m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$8.95
Total cost
$2.24
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Frying the chicken until golden brown develops the base flavor.
  • Covering and simmering ensures the bone‑in chicken becomes tender.
  • Adding yogurt on low heat and tempering prevents curdling.

Safety Warnings

  • Hot oil can splatter – keep a lid nearby.
  • When adding yogurt, reduce heat to low to avoid curdling.
  • Use a sharp knife carefully while slicing ginger and chilies.

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