This Dhaba Style Chicken Curry stands for every road trip we’ve had with our families. Same bold flavours, hot, fragrant, and ready in under 45 minutes. Learn how to make it in a traditional pressure cooker, instant pot, and on the stovetop.

I think I’ve finally nailed it. This Dhaba Style Chicken Curry is SO good. Its legit, as close as it gets to eating it in a dhaba. Spicy, fragrant with spices, big, bold flavours and really juicy pieces of chicken.

Dhabas, for the uninitiated, are roadside restaurants that you’ll find along the highway. They’re road trip essentials and are scattered all over the country and really well-known for their bold, rustic flavors and ambience. Growing up, the highlight of any road trip was a stopover at a dhaba for steaming hot, spicy dhaba style chicken curry, dal fry or dal makhani and tandoori rotis fresh from the oven to mop it all up. These soul satisfying meals will always be etched on to my heart!

Unlike my other recipes, this one’s slightly time consuming because masala is ground and cooked till it’s color changes. This is characteristic of most Indian curries, and the slow cooking process or bhuno is what lends dishes a unique flavor.

Dhaba Chicken Curry Ingredients

Here are the main ingredients you’ll need for this recipe:

• Chicken: Bone in chicken cut into 2 inch pieces. Most Indian curries use the entire bird (thighs, breast, drumsticks)
• Ginger Garlic Paste: Fresh ginger and garlic in equal parts ground to a paste with a little water. Use store bought in a pinch but fresh adds more flavour
• Lime Juice: Acid helps tenderise the meat

• Mustard Oil: Key to getting that unique dhaba flavour. It’s more pungent and adds a smokiness
• Whole Spices: Cumin, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and bayleaf. Skip if you don’t have but I recommend using them for that burst of flavour
• Ginger & Garlic: Ground with onions. You can substitute it with 1.5 tbsp store bought or homemade ginger garlic paste
• Onions: Form the main base of the gravy and add flavour, density and thickness
• Green Chillies: Add heat and flavour. Use serrano peppers if you don’t have Indian green chillies available
• Ground Spices: Red Chilli Powder, Turmeric Powder, Coriander Powder and Garam Masala. I highly recommend using homemade garam masala. Add it towards the middle or end of the cooking process to retain its aroma and flavour

• Tempering: We use ghee, ginger, and green chillies to add an additional layer of flavor to finish off the curry. Don’t skip this step!

Why is this Chicken Curry recipe so unique

We were asking this question ourselves while trying to replicate that dhaba like flavour – How is it that common dishes taste extra unique when they come from a dhaba?

Here’s what we found: Dhabas use more oil, ghee and butter to add richness and to cook the food faster, there’s a natural smoky flavour because all the cooking is done on a really high flame or using firewood. They liberally use freshly ground spices wherever possible and finally, they end the dish with a sizzling tadka/tempering!

We’ve taken all this information and compiled it into one beautiful chicken curry.

How to make Chicken Curry

Check out the simple steps that go into making this beautiful curry

Marinate

1. Marinate the chicken in ginger garlic paste, lime juice and salt. This adds flavour from within and the acid helps tenderise the meat

2. Add onions, ginger, garlic and green chillies to a chopper and pulse to get a coarse mix. 

Curry

1. Pound spices roughly with a mortar pestle to break them down and release their flavour

2. Saute them in hot oil to temper them

3. Brown the onion paste in oil that’s tempered with whole spices. This is a slow cooking process where the onion paste is sauteed on a low flame till it changes colour and becomes a deep golden brown. You’ll see a thin layer of oil floating on the top and the sides – thats when you know its cooked through and isn’t raw anymore

4. Cook tomatoes and spices for a few minutes till the tomatoes become pulpy soft

5. Roast the chicken along with garam masala in the onion tomato mixture, tossing it for a minute or two till the gravy coats all the pieces

6. Pressure Cook for 15 minutes. If using a traditional pressure cooker, start on high heat and after the first whistle, reduce the heat to low. Wait till you hear two more whistles and then turn off the flame. Let the pressure release naturally. To make instant pot chicken curry, pressure cook on high for 8 minutes

7. Temper julienned ginger and slit green chillies in butter and ghee.This adds an extra layer of flavour and gives it a nice hint of ginger

8. Serve chicken curry with tempering poured on top. Sprinkle some chopped coriander for freshness and flavour

Richa’s Top Tips

• Always marinate the chicken. The longer the better. This literally changes the game by adding flavour, seasoning, and tenderising.
• Brown the onion paste. Don’t rush this process. Browning onions slowly gets rid of any raw smell and flavour. You’ll know its done when you see a little oil separating on the sides and the colour changes to a deep golden. This, in addition with the herbs, spices and tomatoes create the perfect balance. 
• Don’t skimp on oil. There is a fair amount of fat in this recipe in the form of oil, butter and ghee. I would not recommend skimping on oil as it will compromise the flavor.
• Always use quality garam masala. I always recommend homemade garam masala. But even if using store bought, make sure its not more than a year old. Add it just before cooking the chicken so that it retains its freshness and aroma
• Do not forget the tempering. It gives it that extra kick along with the richness from the ghee. 

Storage Tips

• If you have leftovers, let the chicken curry cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
• If you’d like to store it for longer, you can freeze Dhaba Chicken Curry for up to 2–3 months. For convenience, portion it into freezer-safe containers so you can thaw only as much as you need.
• When you’re ready to reheat, thaw the frozen curry in the refrigerator overnight and then warm it gently on the stovetop. The gravy tends to thicken as it sits, so add a splash of water while reheating if needed. Make sure the chicken is heated through before serving.
• And the best part? The flavours have more time to come together as the curry sits, so leftovers can taste even better the next day. This also makes it a great make-ahead chicken curry for busy weeknights.

Serving Ideas

Wondering what to serve with Dhaba Chicken Curry? You really can’t go wrong with something that helps soak up all that delicious, spicy gravy!

• For an easy weeknight meal, serve this Indian chicken curry with jeera rice, steamed basmati rice or soft rotis.
• If you’re craving a proper dhaba-style spread, go for tandoori roti or naan with a bowl of cool raita, sliced onions and lemon wedges on the side.
• For a bigger Indian meal, add dal fry or dal makhani and a simple vegetable sabzi. And don’t forget extra rotis or rice because you’ll want every last bit of that gravy!

I hope you guys enjoy this recipe as much as I do, it’s truly one of my favorites! And like all curries, this tastes even better the next day, so no need to worry about leftovers! If you love dhaba style food, check out my other favourite like Dhaba Dal Fry, Dhaba Dal Tadka, Matar Paneer, Karahi Chicken, Dal Makhani.

When you make this recipe, don’t forget to send me pictures over on my IG @my_foodstory. I love seeing your recreations!

Watch Dhaba Chicken Curry Recipe Video

This article was researched and written by Urvi Dalal.

The post Dhaba Style Chicken Curry appeared first on My Food Story.

This Amritsari paneer bhurji is the creamiest bhurji I’ve ever made, and there’s not a drop of cream in it. The secret is roasted besan and curd, and once you try it, regular bhurji just won’t feel the same.

This Amritsari paneer bhurji is the kind of bhurji you get at old dhabas in Punjab where the paneer is soft, the masala is rich, and you end up ordering another plate before you’ve finished the first. That’s exactly how it tastes when you make it at home, and it takes about 40 minutes with ingredients you already have in your kitchen.

If you’ve been making our paneer bhurji at home, you know how good a simple bhurji can be. But this Amritsari version is a richer, more flavourful bhurji that feels like proper Punjabi food. If you have the time, making it with homemade paneer is really worth it because the fresh paneer stays so soft and absorbs every bit of that masala.

Ingredients for Amritsari Paneer Bhurji

Paneer: Grated for an even, creamy texture. Homemade paneer works best as it’s softer and absorbs the masala better, but store-bought is fine too.

Curd Masala Mix: Whisked curds mixed with turmeric, red chilli, coriander, garam masala, pav bhaji masala, amchur powder, and salt. This spiced curd base is what gives the bhurji its unique flavour.

Besan Mix: Besan or chickpea flour roasted in oil with kasuri methi and kashmiri chilli powder. This, mixed with spiced curd, is the secret behind the creaminess.

Aromatics: Green chillies, ginger, and garlic cooked in mustard oil and butter.

Onions & Tomatoes: Finely chopped to form the base of the bhurji.

Milk: For extra creaminess. Don’t skip this.

Mustard Oil & Butter: I’ve used mustard oil for its authentic Amritsari flavour, but any cooking oil works.

Coriander Leaves: Freshly chopped, for garnish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Richa’s Top Tips

• Roast the besan properly until the raw smell completely goes. This takes about 3-4 minutes on low heat. If the besan isn’t roasted enough, the bhurji will have a raw, floury taste that ruins the whole dish.
• Take the pan off the heat before adding the curd-besan mix. Adding it on heat can cause the curd to split and make the masala grainy. Off the heat, it blends in smoothly and cooks evenly when you put it back on.
• Use mustard oil if you can. It adds a sharpness and authenticity that regular cooking oil doesn’t have. If you don’t like the strong flavour of mustard oil, you can use half mustard oil and half regular oil.
• Don’t skip the milk. It’s what gives the bhurji its creamy, luscious texture. Without it, the bhurji will be drier, and the masala won’t coat the paneer as well.
• Use fresh, soft paneer and don’t overcook it. Paneer only needs 5-7 minutes in the masala to absorb the flavours. Any longer and it starts turning rubbery and chewy, especially if you’re using store-bought.
• Skip pav bhaji masala if you don’t have it. Pav bhaji masala adds depth and a lovely street-style flavor to the paneer bhurji. But feel free to skip it, or replace it with Kitchen King masala or curry masala if you want.

Storage Tips

• In the fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The flavours develop nicely overnight. Add a splash of milk when reheating to bring back the creamy texture.
• Freezing: Not recommended. Paneer changes texture when frozen and becomes rubbery, and the curd-besan masala can split once thawed.
• Reheating tip: Warm gently on the stove on low heat with a little milk. Stir frequently so the masala doesn’t stick to the bottom. It comes back to life really well on the stove. Avoid the microwave if you can as the paneer tends to harden.

Serving Ideas

This Amritsari paneer bhurji works for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between. Here are a few ways we enjoy it:

• With Ladi Pav: Buttered pav with hot paneer bhurji is a match made in heaven. Toast the pav with a little butter on the tawa and you’re sorted.
• With Lachha Paratha: The flaky layers with this creamy, rich bhurji is one of the best combinations you can put on a plate.
• With No Yeast Naan: Tear, scoop, eat. Simple and satisfying.
• In a sandwich: Spread the bhurji between two buttered slices and toast on the tawa. Makes for a really filling breakfast or snack.
• With Jeera Rice and Dal Tadka: If you want to turn it into a proper thali-style meal, jeera rice with dal and this bhurji on the side is comfort food at its best.

Customisation Ideas

• Make it with tofu: Crumble firm tofu and use it in place of paneer for a vegan version. Squeeze out the excess water first so it absorbs the masala properly. The besan-curd base gives it plenty of flavour.
• Add veggies: Finely chopped capsicum, peas, or corn mixed in with the paneer adds colour and crunch without changing the flavour much.
• Make it with eggs: Skip the paneer and scramble eggs directly into the besan-curd masala for an Amritsari style egg bhurji. The roasted besan trick works just as well with eggs.
• Add cheese: A handful of grated mozzarella or cheddar stirred in right at the end makes it even more indulgent. It melts into the bhurji and adds a lovely stretch.
• Make it drier for rolls or sandwiches: Cook the bhurji a few minutes longer until most of the moisture evaporates. The drier version holds together better inside a paratha roll or a toasted sandwich.

If you take one thing away from this recipe, let it be the roasted besan and curd technique. It works in this bhurji, but honestly you can use it in so many other dishes to add creaminess without cream. Try this Amritsari paneer bhurji recipe first, though, and I promise you’ll see what I mean. When you make it, find me on Instagram @my_foodstory and let me know what you think.

Watch Amritsari Paneer Bhurji Recipe Video

This article was researched and written by Harita Odedra.

The post Amritsari Paneer Bhurji appeared first on My Food Story.