India offers a delectable array of chicken dishes. From the fiery flavors of Chicken Tikka and Tandoori to the rich and creamy Butter Chicken, there’s something for everyone.
Savor the aromatic spices in Chicken Biryani and indulge in the diverse regional delights like Chettinad Chicken or Bengali Chicken Curry.
Welcome to a culinary journey through the vibrant and diverse flavors of India, where the rich aroma of spices and succulent textures of chicken come together to create a symphony of taste.
In this gastronomic exploration, we present to you the “Top 10 Chicken Dishes in India.” From the bustling streets of Delhi to the coastal towns of Kerala, each region boasts its own unique preparation, influenced by age-old traditions and modern innovations.
Join us as we delve into a delightful assortment of delectable curries, tandoori delights, and aromatic biryanis, showcasing the very best that Indian cuisine has to offer to chicken enthusiasts worldwide.
Best Chicken Dishes
The list of Best Chicken Dishes in India starts from here.
10. Chicken Biryani
Imagine a super yummy dish that people from all over the world love to eat. It’s a special combination of chicken and rice, cooked together in a special bowl to make the rice taste amazing.
The chef not only makes it delicious but also makes it look really pretty on the plate, so it’s like a treat for both your eyes and your taste buds.
It’s like magic in the kitchen. The rice and chicken become best friends, and when you take a bite, it feels like a party in your mouth. People love this dish so much that it’s famous everywhere.
And guess what? When you see it on your plate, it looks so inviting that you want to eat even more than you can handle. It’s like the food makes your eyes say, “Wow, that looks so tasty, I can’t wait to eat it.” So, it’s a delightful feast for your tummy and your eyes.
9. Chicken Rezala (Murgh rezala)
Murgh rezala is a yummy curry that comes from a special place in India called East India, and it’s super famous in Bengal. This curry smells so good and tastes really rich.
It’s made with chicken, yogurt, oil, ghee (which is a kind of butter), cashews (yummy nuts), poppy seeds, ginger (a zingy root), garlic, cloves (tiny buds with strong flavor), cinnamon (like in cinnamon rolls.), cardamom (a fragrant spice), peppercorns (little black balls that add spice), hot peppers (for a kick), white pepper (another kind of spice), salt, garam masala (a mix of special spices), milk, and saffron (a beautiful reddish-orange color).
To make it, we soak cashews and poppy seeds in water and grind them into a smooth paste. Then, we mix chicken with yogurt, ginger, and garlic to make it really tasty.
Next, we fry cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon, cardamom, and dried hot peppers in ghee and oil. Ghee is like magical butter that gives the curry an amazing flavor. After that, we add the marinated chicken to the pan and cook it on high heat until it becomes golden and delicious.
The curry turns out so yummy and creamy, with a perfect blend of spices that will make your taste buds happy. It’s a special treat from East India that you’ll love.
8. Murgh Musallam
Murgh Musallam is an exquisite chicken delicacy with its roots dating back to the opulent Mughal era in India. This traditional dish features a whole chicken that is treated with utmost care to create a symphony of flavors.
To begin the culinary journey, the chicken is tenderly marinated in a harmonious blend of zesty lemon juice, tantalizing chili powder, and a pinch of salt, elevating its taste to perfection.
The centerpiece of this regal dish is the captivating stuffing. Hard-boiled eggs are artfully combined with sautéed onions, aromatic ginger, and garlic.
This delectable mixture is then tantalized with the richness of garam masala, a dash of chili powder, the earthy essence of coriander, and the refreshing touch of mint. This enticing blend is lovingly stuffed into the cavity of the chicken, infusing it with unparalleled taste.
With the preparation complete, the chicken takes center stage in a grand finale of slow-cooked magnificence. Nestled in a luxurious gravy crafted from a delightful medley of onions, tomatoes, and the aromatic trio of ginger, garlic, and turmeric, the chicken is poised for its transformation.
A melange of cumin, garam masala, and yogurt adds layers of depth, while the precious saffron imparts a touch of opulence.
As the chicken roasts to perfection, the aroma of coriander, the warmth of cinnamon, and the elegance of cardamom dance in harmony, creating a symphony of scents that fill the air.
The final result is Murgh Musallam – a masterpiece of Indian culinary heritage, where every tender morsel of chicken is a testament to the rich history and captivating flavors of the Mughal era. This dish truly embodies the essence of royalty and the artistry of Indian cuisine.
7. Tangdi Kabab
Tangdi Kabab, a classic chicken delicacy hailing from North India, features succulent chicken drumsticks grilled to perfection in a traditional tandoor or over charcoal.
While variations exist between restaurants, the marinade typically consists of a delightful blend of lemon juice or yogurt, pepper, cream, corn flour, ginger, garlic, cardamom, and garam masala.
Once the Tangdi Kabab is expertly prepared, it is served piping hot, accompanied by a delectable green chutney on the side.
6. Murgh Malai
Murgh Malai is a delectable Indian curry featuring bone-in chicken cuts marinated in yogurt and cooked in a luscious, creamy sauce.
The chicken is first soaked in yogurt and then gently simmered in a tantalizing blend of spices, onions, yogurt, and cream.
To enhance its richness, some variations incorporate milk or replace cream with it, while others introduce a velvety cashew paste into the mix.
Typically, this dish boasts a medley of flavors, with ingredients like onions, green chili peppers, garlic, and ginger paste. The aromatic spices such as garam masala, coriander, cardamom, and cumin add a delightful depth to the curry.
A perfect accompaniment to this dish includes rice, biryani, naan, or roti bread, making it a truly satisfying and wholesome Indian culinary experience.
5. Varuval
Varuval is a delightful traditional Indian dish with its origins in the Chettinad region. This flavorful dish features succulent pieces of chicken, such as breasts or drumsticks, dry-fried to perfection with a generous amount of spices.
To prepare this aromatic delight, a blend of masala spices including cinnamon, cloves, fennel, coriander, cardamom, cumin, red chili, and black peppercorns are roasted in a pan until their delightful fragrance fills the air.
These spices are then carefully crushed or ground to release their full flavor potential.
The chicken pieces are treated to a marinade consisting of turmeric and salt, which enhances the taste and tenderness of the meat.
Cooked alongside the freshly ground masala spices, the chicken is further enriched with chili peppers, curry leaves, onions, ginger, garlic, and chopped tomatoes, resulting in a harmonious fusion of flavors.
The slow cooking process allows the ingredients to infuse, creating a near-dry and incredibly aromatic dish.
Before serving, the tantalizing varuval chicken is adorned with fresh coriander leaves, adding a burst of color and a hint of herbaceousness.
It’s typically accompanied by paratha or rice on the side, offering a perfect balance to the intense spiciness of the dish. With its mesmerizing taste and vibrant presentation, varuval is a true celebration of Indian culinary heritage.
4. Chicken 65
Chicken 65 is a classic poultry dish that finds its roots in Chennai, India. This delectable preparation involves marinating chicken in a blend of ginger, lemon, red chiles, and an array of aromatic spices before deep-frying it to perfection.
Over the years, various theories have emerged to explain the origin of this mouthwatering delicacy.
One of the most widely accepted narratives attributes the creation of Chicken 65 to A. M. Buhari in the year 1965, in the region of Tamil Nadu.
Another intriguing theory suggests that the original recipe incorporated 65 fiery chili peppers, symbolizing a test of one’s bravery and masculinity. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that this theory might be more of a folklore than a historical fact.
Among the less plausible explanations, there are speculations that the name “Chicken 65” stemmed from the chicken being cut into precisely 65 pieces, or that the bird used was specifically 65 days old during the dish’s inception.
Regardless of its exact origin, Chicken 65 has undoubtedly earned its place as a beloved dish, cherished not only in Chennai but also enjoyed by food enthusiasts across India and beyond. Its tantalizing blend of flavors and crispy texture make it a delightful treat for anyone who relishes the diverse tastes of Indian cuisine.
3. Tandoori Chicken (Tandoori Murgh)
Tandoori chicken, also known as tandoori murgh, holds a distinguished place in Indian cuisine, and its name finds its roots in the Persian term “tannur,” signifying fire.
This beloved dish revolves around tender chicken pieces, marinated in yogurt and enriched with a blend of tandoori masala, nutmeg, and cumin, imparting it with a burst of flavors.
What sets this dish apart is its unique preparation technique. Tradition dictates that the marinated chicken is threaded onto skewers and cooked in specialized cylindrical clay ovens known as tandoors.
These ovens operate at high temperatures, creating a mesmerizing smoky essence and rendering the meat succulent and delightful to the palate.
According to a popular theory, the credit for inventing this culinary marvel goes to Kundan Lal Gujral, who is said to have conceived the dish in his renowned establishment, Moti Mahal, often referred to as the “Palace of Pearls.”
The legacy of tandoori chicken continues to delight food enthusiasts worldwide, a testament to the timeless allure of Indian gastronomy.
2. Chicken Tikka
Indian tikka is a delectable dish featuring boneless meat, usually chicken, that’s diced into smaller pieces and marinated in a delightful blend of yogurt and traditional Indian spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, chili, garlic, and ginger.
The flavorful meat is then roasted over charcoal in a tandoor, a classic cylindrical clay oven.
To ensure its tenderness and succulence, the meat is meticulously basted with oil or butter during the cooking process.
While tikka is commonly presented on sizzlers, simpler versions are also popular. It’s essential to note that tikka should not be confused with tandoori chicken, where the meat is cooked and served with the bone intact.
1. Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)
One of the most renowned Indian dishes worldwide is “murgh makhani,” commonly known as butter chicken, which holds a prominent place on the menus of many Indian restaurants.
Its origin can be traced back to Delhi in the 1950s when a visionary named Kundan Lal Gujral introduced it at his esteemed establishment called Moti Mahal.
The genesis of this beloved delicacy occurred by chance when the restaurant’s skilled cooks ingeniously combined leftover marinade juices with rich tomatoes and indulgent butter.
This sumptuous concoction was then used to stew the succulent tandoor-cooked chicken, without any inkling that they had inadvertently stumbled upon a culinary masterpiece that would captivate the hearts and taste buds of people worldwide.
As history unfolded, this delightful fusion would transform into the internationally cherished butter chicken, leaving an indelible mark on the global gastronomic landscape.
In conclusion, the diverse and vibrant flavors of India come alive in its top 10 chicken dishes. From the regal Murgh Musallam and tantalizing Tandoori Chicken to the fiery Chicken 65 and rich Butter Chicken, each dish offers a unique symphony of tastes and aromas.
Whether it’s the fragrant spices of Chicken Biryani or the delightful blend of flavors in Tangdi Kabab, these culinary delights showcase the richness of Indian gastronomy.
Embark on a delightful culinary journey through the heart of India, savoring these delectable chicken dishes that have earned a special place in the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide.