🍲 Chicken Karahi Recipe: Authentic Pakistani Style (2026)

Chicken karahi is Pakistan's most beloved curry — named after the wok-like karahi it's cooked in. Tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich, tangy tomato gravy with fresh ginger and green chilies. Ready in 40 minutes.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 750g chicken, cut into pieces
• 4 large tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup oil or ghee
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp red chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander powder
• Fresh ginger juliennes, 4 green chilies, coriander leaves
• Salt to taste, 1 tsp garam masala

Method

1. Heat oil in a karahi, add chicken and fry on high heat until golden (8 minutes).

2. Add ginger-garlic paste, cook 2 minutes, then add tomatoes and spices.

3. Cover and cook on medium heat 20 minutes until tomatoes dissolve into a thick gravy.

4. Uncover, increase heat, and bhunofy (sauté) until oil separates. Garnish with ginger, chilies and coriander.

Tips

• Use fresh tomatoes, not canned, for authentic tang.
• Don't skip the high-heat bhunofying — it's the soul of karahi.
• Serve with hot naan or tandoori roti.

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