Dahi Chicken Recipe (Indian Yogurt Chicken)

Dahi Chicken Recipe (Indian Yogurt Chicken): juicy, tangy, luscious, and non-spicy, this Indian yogurt chicken is a perfect comfortfood. Made using chicken, yogurt, onion, ginger+garlic, and mild aromatic spices, it’s ready in minutes. This recipe uses no tomatoes and is extremely healthy and low in calories.

What is Dahi Chicken Recipe?

This is a humble yet flavorful chicken recipe, with the star ingredient being yogurt (dahi in Hindi) and is popularly known as “Indian Yogurt Chicken”.

The yogurt not only serves as a base for the gravy/sauce but also acts as a tenderizing agent for the chicken. And we are not using ant tomatoes (tamatar) in this dish.

When paired with aromatic spices, it creates a dish that is tangy, mildly spiced, and irresistibly luscious.

It’s also extremely popular in Indian homes when you need to make a quick delicious meal that pleases everyone from young to old. 

Dahi Chicken can be made ahead of time. The flavors deepen as it sits, making it even tastier the next day. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Indian Yogurt Chicken (Dahi Wala Chicken) Ingredients:

Chicken – preferably boneless thighs or drumsticks
Plain Yogurt (dahi or curd) – whisked
Light Oil – can use olive oil or mustard oil works best
Butter – can be salted or plain (adjust salt accordingly)
Onion – finely chopped
Ginger + Garlic – grated together or use paste
Fresh cilantro – for garnish

Whole Spices:
Whole Cumin (zeera)
Whole Green Cardamom (choti elaichi)
Cinnamon Stick (dalchini tukda)
Bay Leaf (tej patta) 

Powdered Spices:
Turmeric Powder
Kashmiri Red Chili Powder – adds the redness to chicken – adjust to taste (skip if not available, add regular chili powder)
Coriander Powder
Kasoori Methi – optional but adds an amazing aromatic flavor
Garam Masala
Salt to taste

(Given below is the picture of all the ingredients used in this recipe).

Step-by-Step Dahi Chicken Recipe:

This is a super quick and fairly easy-to-follow recipe and here are the simple steps: 

1. Prepare the Masala Base

•Heat oil in a large pan or skillet over medium heat.

•Add cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, and crushed green cardamom and let them splutter.

•Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown. This step enhances the sweetness of the onions.

•Add ginger and garlic, and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

2. Cook the Chicken

•Add the washed and cleaned chicken to the pan and sear on all sides.

•Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Saute everything.

•Cover and let the chicken cook on medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add the Yogurt

•Once the chicken is 90% cooked (you can poke the piece with a spatula and the skin should come off easily), add the whisked yogurt.

•Stir continuously while adding the yogurt to prevent curdling.

•Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the gravy thickens and coats the chicken beautifully.

4. Final Touch

•Sprinkle garam masala, kasoori methi and stir everything together for another 2-3 minutes.

• Do the quick salt and spices taste test and then turn off the heat.

• Garnish with fresh cilantro.

•Serve hot with steamed rice, naan, or roti or choice or grains or breads.

Tips to Customize Your Indian Yogurt Chicken

1. Make it spicy: Add hot red chili powder or a dash of green chili paste for an extra kick.

2. Thicker gravy: If you prefer a thicker curry, add a tablespoon of cashew paste or almond paste.

3. Vegan alternative: Substitute yogurt with coconut milk and chicken with tofu or jackfruit for a vegan-friendly version.

4. Add vegetables: Toss in some bell peppers or carrots, french beans for added nutrition and texture.

What to Serve with Dahi Chicken?

This recipe is so accommodating that you can literally serve it with any choice of sides and here are few of my favorite options:

•Steamed Basmati Rice: The mild flavor of basmati rice pairs beautifully with the tangy curry.

•Butter Naan or Roti: Soft Indian breads are perfect for scooping up the luscious gravy.

•Dinner Rolls or Pita Bread: this dish goes amazingly with dinner rolls or Hawaiian buns or even pita or lavash bread. 

•Cucumber Raita: A cooling yogurt dip complements the spices in the dish.

•Green Salad: A light salad balances the richness of the chicken.

Why I Love This Recipe: 

Apart from the ease of cooking it and the sweet flavorful aroma’s, I love making this dish cause:

•Quick and Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights.

•Healthy: Packed with lean protein and probiotics.

•Customizable: Easily adjust spices and ingredients to suit your taste.

•Authentic Flavor: Brings the taste of Indian cuisine to your table.

Indian Yogurt Chicken, or Dahi Chicken, is a dish that seamlessly blends health and indulgence.

With its creamy texture, tangy flavor, and quick preparation, it’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again.

————————–

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Yield: 4 people

Dahi Chicken Recipe (Indian Yogurt Chicken)

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Dahi Chicken Recipe (Indian Yogurt Chicken) juicy, tangy, luscious, and not spicy at all, this Indian yogurt chicken is a perfect comfortfood. Made using chicken, yogurt, onion, ginger+garlic, and mild aromatic spices, it's ready in minutes. This recipe uses no tomatoes and is extremely healthy and low in calories.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Additional Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 Kg Chicken - preferably boneless thighs or drumsticks
• 
1 Cup Plain Yogurt (dahi or curd) - whisked
• 
2 Tbsp Light Oil - can use olive oil or mustard oil works best

• 1 Tbsp Butter - can be salted or plain (adjust salt accordingly)
• 
2 Large Onions - finely chopped
• 
1 Tbsp Ginger + Garlic - grated together or use paste

• 2 Tbsp Fresh cilantro - finely chopped (for garnish)

Whole Spices:

• 1 Tbsp Whole Cumin (zeera)

• 3 Whole Green Cardamom (choti elaichi)
• 
1 Small Cinnamon Stick (dalchini tukda)

• 1 Large Bay Leaf (tej patta) 

Powdered Spices:

• 1.5 Tsp Turmeric Powder

• 1 Tbsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder - adjust to taste (skip if not available, add regular chili powder)

• 2 Tbsp Coriander Powder

• 2 Tsp Kasoori Methi - optional but adds an amazing aromatic flavor

• 1 Tsp Garam Masala

• 1.5 Tsp Salt to taste

Instructions

Step-by-Step Dahi Chicken Recipe:

1. Prepare the Masala Base

• Heat oil in a large pan or skillet over medium heat.
• Add cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, and crushed green cardamom and let them splutter.
• Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown. This step enhances the sweetness of the onions.
• Add ginger and garlic, and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

2. Cook the Chicken

• Add the washed and cleaned chicken to the pan and sear on all sides.
• Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Saute everything.
• Cover and let the chicken cook on medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add the Yogurt

• Once the chicken is 90% cooked (you can poke the piece with a spatula and the skin should come off easily), add the whisked yogurt.
• Stir continuously while adding the yogurt to prevent curdling.
• Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the gravy thickens and coats the chicken beautifully.

4. Final Touch & Serve the Chicken:

• Sprinkle garam masala, and kasoori methi and stir everything together for another 2-3 minutes.
• Do the quick salt and spices taste test and then turn off the heat.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro.
• Serve hot with steamed rice, naan, or roti or choice or grains or breads.

Notes

Kashmiri Red Chili Powder - adds the redness to chicken - not spicy (skip if not available, add regular chili powder)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 450Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 198mgSodium: 678mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 2gSugar: 5gProtein: 52g