Degchi
Pakistan's signature restaurant-style chicken curry, cooked fast over high heat in a wok-like karahi with tomato, ginger, garlic and green chilli — no onion paste, just a thick, tangy, tomato-forward gravy finished with fresh coriander and julienned ginger.
Quick answer: 45 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: Chicken, Tomato, Ginger, Garlic · amounts in metric and US
Ingredients
- 800 g 1.75 lb Chicken, cut into pieces
- 4 pc 4 pc Tomato, chopped
- 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Ginger, paste, plus extra julienned for garnish
- 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Garlic, paste
- 5 pc 5 pc Green chilli
- 3 tbsp 3 tbsp Coriander, chopped
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Red chilli powder
- 5 tbsp 5 tbsp Cooking oil
- to taste to taste Salt
Steps
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- Heat the oil in a karahi or wide heavy pan over high heat until it shimmers, then stir in the ginger-garlic paste for 20–30 seconds, until the raw smell is gone.
- Add the chicken pieces and cook on high heat, stirring every minute, for 6–7 minutes, until no pink remains on the outside and the pan starts to release juices.⏱ Searing chicken · 7 min
- Add the chopped tomatoes, green chillies slit lengthwise, red chilli powder and salt, and stir well. Do not add water; the tomatoes and chicken release enough.
- Cover and cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes, until the tomato breaks down and oil floats on top.⏱ Cooking covered · 15 min
- Uncover, turn the heat to high and stir constantly for 3–4 minutes, until the gravy clings to the chicken and oil separates at the edges. The chicken should reach 74 °C / 165 °F.⏱ Thickening gravy · 4 min
- Finish with fresh coriander and, if you like, a few thin strips of fresh ginger. Serve straight from the karahi with hot naan or roti.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Chicken Karahi take?
45 minutes in total: about 15 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking.
Is Chicken Karahi hard to make?
Degchi rates it medium. The method has 6 steps, and 3 of them have a timer you can start on this page.
How many people does Chicken Karahi serve?
This recipe serves 4. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.
Is Chicken Karahi halal, vegetarian or eggless?
It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is not vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.
What will I probably need to buy for Chicken Karahi?
Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: red chilli powder, cooking oil, salt. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: chicken, tomato, ginger, garlic, green chilli, coriander.
Any tips for making Chicken Karahi?
Traditional karahi has no onion and no added water: ginger, garlic, tomato and green chilli carry the flavour. Searing the chicken hard on high heat is what builds the char and depth. Use bone-in chicken, cut small, and ripe deep-red tomatoes. Watery or pale tomatoes give a thin gravy that takes much longer to dry down.
Notes and questions
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Cooking terms in this recipe: Bhunna · Karahi
