Handi Chicken: A Delicious and Authentic Indian Dish

If you’re looking for an ambitiously flavourful recipe that hits all the right notes, look no further than Handi Chicken. This classic Indian dish is beloved throughout the country and has everything you need for a unique and scrumptious meal.

The Basics of Handi Chicken

This special chicken recipe is usually prepared in an Indian-style earthenware vessel, also called a handi. The chicken is cooked in a thick gravy which is made up of spices, yogurt and garlic. A variety of vegetables and herbs can be added for extra flavour, giving the dish an incredibly rich and layered taste.

The Key to Good Handi Chicken

The basic ingredients for Handi Chicken are simple enough, but only with the perfect blend of spices (creating a masala) and a certain amount of practice can you master the fine art of making a dish that will leave your taste buds tingling. To ensure it is tastefully perplexing and bursting with flavour, be sure to include generous amounts of coriander, ginger, garlic, cardamom, chillies and garam masala.

Cooking Tips and Tricks

To create your Handi Chicken, begin by marinating the chicken overnight with the spices and yogurt. This will really bring out the depth of flavour. Then add your chicken to a handi or wok, along with the garam masala and all the other ingredients, and simmer on low heat for 45 to 55 minutes. When the chicken is tender, remove from the heat and add cream or butter for that extra silky finish.

Where Did Handi Chicken Originate?

The history of Handi Chicken is undeniably Indian and hard to dispute. The dish is thought to have come from the Mughal Era and is a staple of Punjabi cuisine. Traditionally served in large clay pots, the food is often still cooked this way for a more authentic taste.

Taste This Tiny Piece of India

Whether you share this dish with family or enjoy it in peace, Handi Chicken is a great way to bring Indian flavours to your table. The complexity of the spices creates an energising burst of taste that is hard to resist, making it a crowd favourite every time.

Recipe: Handi Chicken

Ingredients

– 1 ½ kg chicken
– 2 tablespoons coriander
– 2 tablespoons ginger
– 6 cloves garlic
– 2 tablespoons cardamom
– 1 teaspoon Chilli powder
– 2 tablespoons garam masala
– 1 ½ cup yogurt
– 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
– 2 tablespoons cream
– 1 cup vegetables ( carrots, peas, potatoes, etc)
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Oil
– Butter

Instructions

1) Marinate the chicken with the yogurt and spices overnight
2) Heat oil in a hand or wok and add the chicken once hot
3) Cook the chicken and onion in the wok until all sides of the chicken have lightly browned
4) Add tomato paste, cream and vegetables, stirring to combine
5) Simmer the dish on low heat for 45-55 minutes, stirring occasionally
6) Add butter to the mix for a creamy and rich finish
7) Serve the chicken once the dish is fragrant and the chicken is cooked through

Enjoy!