This chicken gravy recipe Indian has changed how we eat dinner at home. After trying for months to make chicken curry that tastes like our favorite restaurant, I finally figured out the tricks that make all the difference. Max calls it "the red chicken" and begs for it every week - which is pretty impressive since he used to pick around any hint of spice.
Why You'll Love This Chicken Gravy Recipe Indian
This recipe has gotten me out of more dinner jams than I can count. When Max walks in from school and asks what's cooking, and I can actually give him a good answer, it feels like I won at parenting for the day. The smell of onions and spices cooking fills up the whole house and makes even a random Wednesday feel like something worth sitting down for.
The thing that hooked me on this recipe is how much better it tastes the next day. I started making extra on purpose because leftover Indian food is basically a gift to your future self. Heat it up, throw some rice in the rice cooker, and you've got dinner sorted in the time it takes Max to wash his hands and set the table.Max has gotten surprisingly good at helping with this recipe.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Chicken Gravy Recipe Indian
- Ingredients for Chicken Gravy Recipe Indian
- How To Make Chicken Gravy Recipe Indian Step By Step
- Smart Swaps for Different Needs
- Creative Variations For Chicken Gravy Recipe Indian
- Equipement For Chicken Gravy Recipe Indian
- Storing Your Chicken Gravy Recipe Indian
- What to serve with Chicken Gravy Recipe Indian
- Top Tip
- How My Sister's Dish Became a Family Favorite
- FAQ
- Time for Curry Success!
- Related
- Pairing
- Chicken Gravy Recipe Indian
Ingredients for Chicken Gravy Recipe Indian
The Spice Mix:
- Turmeric powder
- Red chili powder
- Coriander powder
- Garam masala
- Cumin seeds
The Base:
- Chicken pieces
- Large onions
- Fresh tomatoes
- Ginger-garlic paste
- Cooking oil
- Salt
The Finishing Touches:
- Fresh coriander leaves
- Heavy cream or yogurt
- Water or chicken stock
Basic Tools:
- Heavy-bottomed pot
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Chicken Gravy Recipe Indian Step By Step
Getting Started:
- Cut chicken into medium pieces
- Chop onions and tomatoes
- Mix all dry spices in a small bowl
- Heat oil in heavy pot
Building the Base:
- Fry cumin seeds until they pop
- Add chopped onions, cook until golden
- Stir in ginger-garlic paste
- Cook until the raw smell goes away
Adding the Spices:
- Lower heat and add spice mix
- Stir constantly for 30 seconds
- Add tomatoes and cook until mushy
- Mash everything together
Cooking the Chicken:
- Add chicken pieces to the pot
- Mix well with the masala
- Cover and cook 15 minutes
- Add water if it sticks
Final Touch:
- Pour in enough water for gravy
- Simmer until chicken is tender
- Stir in cream or yogurt
- Garnish with fresh coriander
Smart Swaps for Different Needs
Spice Adjustments:
- Too spicy → Use less chili powder
- Too mild → Add extra garam masala
- No heat tolerance → Skip chili, add paprika for color
Protein Changes:
- Chicken → Paneer or tofu
- Bone-in → Boneless (cooks faster)
- Fresh → Leftover rotisserie chicken
Dairy Alternatives:
- Heavy cream → Coconut milk
- Yogurt → Cashew cream
- Regular → Dairy-free versions
Convenience Swaps:
- Fresh ginger-garlic → Store-bought paste
- Whole spices → Pre-ground versions
- Fresh tomatoes → Canned crushed tomatoes
Creative Variations For Chicken Gravy Recipe Indian
Creamy Tomato Style:
- Extra tomatoes for tanginess
- Splash of heavy cream
- Touch of sugar to balance
- Fresh basil leaves
Coconut Curry:
- Coconut milk instead of cream
- Curry leaves if you have them
- Green chilies for heat
- Squeeze of lime juice
Smoky Version:
- Add smoked paprika
- Charred onions before chopping
- Grilled chicken pieces
- Finish with butter
Kid-Friendly Mild:
- Skip the chili powder
- Extra garam masala for flavor
- Sweet tomatoes
- Plenty of cream
Equipement For Chicken Gravy Recipe Indian
- Heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
- Sharp knife for chopping
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon for stirring
- Measuring spoons
Storing Your Chicken Gravy Recipe Indian
Fridge Storage (3-4 days):
- Cool completely before storing
- Keep in airtight containers
- Reheat gently on stovetop
- Add splash of water if needed
Freezer Storage (2-3 months):
- Cool completely first
- Use freezer-safe containers
- Leave room for expansion
- Thaw overnight in fridge
Reheating Tips:
- Stovetop works best
- Stir frequently while warming
- Add water if too thick
- Taste and adjust spices
Make-Ahead Magic:
- Tastes better next day
- Make double batches
- Portion for easy weeknight dinners
What to serve with Chicken Gravy Recipe Indian
This rich, spiced chicken gravy recipe Indian Indian needs something to balance its intensity and soak up all those complex flavors. Rice is the classic choice - basmati works perfectly because its light, fluffy texture doesn't compete with the gravy, and the long grains hold their shape while absorbing the sauce. Naan or roti bread serves double duty as both a side and an eating utensil, letting you scoop up every last bit of gravy. For cooling contrast, cucumber raita or a simple yogurt dish helps tame the spices, especially important when kids are eating.
Round out the meal with vegetables that complement rather than clash with the bold flavors. Simple roasted cauliflower or green beans work well because they're mild enough not to fight with the curry but substantial enough to feel satisfying. A fresh salad with lemon dressing adds brightness and helps cleanse the palate between bites. Max has discovered that plain rice mixed with a little bit of the gravy, plus torn pieces of naan for dipping, makes the perfect combination for his spice tolerance level while still letting him enjoy the full flavor experience.
Top Tip
- My mother-in-law taught me the trick that took this chicken gravy recipe Indian from good to incredible. She grew up in a small town where her family had been making curry for generations, and she watched me struggle with getting the right depth of flavor for months before finally stepping in.
- Her secret was adding a tablespoon of tomato paste along with the fresh tomatoes. She'd cook it until it got dark and jammy, almost like it was about to burn but not quite. "This is where the flavor lives," she'd say, stirring that dark red paste around the pot. That caramelized tomato taste is what makes restaurant curry so much richer than anything I could make at home.
- But the real game-changer was her timing with the garam masala. Instead of adding it all at the beginning, she'd save half for the very end, sprinkling it over the finished dish just before serving. The heat from the gravy releases all those warm spices, and suddenly your kitchen smells like the best Indian restaurant you've ever been to.
How My Sister's Dish Became a Family Favorite
My sister first brought this chicken gravy recipe Indian to our family dinner about five years ago. She'd been living with her roommate who was from Mumbai, and after months of watching her cook, my sister finally convinced her to teach the recipe. I'll admit I was skeptical when she showed up with a pot of what looked like restaurant curry - my sister wasn't exactly known for her cooking skills back then.
But one bite changed everything for our whole family. The gravy had that perfect balance of spices without being too hot for Max, who was only two at the time. Even my dad, who usually sticks to meat and potatoes, went back for seconds. My sister had to write down the recipe three times that night because everyone wanted to try making it at home. Now it's become our go-to dish when we want something special but don't want to order takeout. Sometimes the best family recipes come from the most unexpected places.
FAQ
How do you make Indian chicken gravy?
Start by frying onions until golden, add ginger garlic paste and spices, then tomatoes. Cook until oil separates from the mixture. Add chicken gravy recipe Indian pieces, brown them, then add water and simmer until tender. Finish with cream or yogurt and fresh coriander.
How to make chicken gravy simple?
Keep it basic with onions, tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, and just four spices: turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala. Skip complicated steps and focus on cooking each layer properly. The key is patience, not complexity.
What are the 4 main Indian gravy?
How to marinate chicken for chicken gravy?
Mix chicken pieces with turmeric, chili powder, salt, and a bit of yogurt or lemon juice. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes before cooking. This helps the flavors penetrate the meat and keeps it tender during cooking.
Time for Curry Success!
Now you have all the secrets to making restaurant-style chicken gravy recipe Indian at home from building that perfect onion-tomato base to my mother-in-law's tomato paste trick. This recipe proves that you don't need a million spices to get incredible flavor, just the right technique.
Ready for more Indian-inspired dishes? Try our Easy Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe that's even milder for kids, or our The Best Ambrosia Salad Recipe that makes the perfect side dish. Need something quick? Our Healthy Chicken Kiev Recipe comes together in 20 minutes and pairs perfectly with this gravy!
Share your curry success! We love seeing your family's take on this classic dish!
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Pairing
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Chicken Gravy Recipe Indian
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut chicken into pieces, chop onions and tomatoes, and mix the dry spice blend.
- Heat oil, fry cumin seeds, cook onions until golden, then add ginger-garlic paste.
- Stir in spice mix, cook tomatoes until mushy, and mash everything together well.
- Add chicken, mix with masala, cover and cook for 15 minutes, adding water if needed.
- Pour in water, simmer until tender, then stir in cream and garnish with coriander.
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