Name: Kadai Chicken
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min

There are literally countless numbers of Indian origin chicken dishes. Kadai Chicken is one famous of them, which contains flavorful and juicy chicken and tasty and creamy gravy. It is more popular in restaurant than homemade.

The name of Kadai Chicken came from the word kadai which translates to cooking pot, which is traditionally made with cast iron.

Because this entire recipe traditionally used to be made within the same kadai on which it is served so the name Kadai Chicken.

1st time, I have tried this recipe as an experiment inspired from my Kadai Paneer recipe. Its kind of same recipe where the Paneer is replaced by Chicken. And then perfected it after several iteration of the recipe.

Chicken is the most popular choice in India for non-veg lover. Red meat is costlier and less preferred by most Indians.

Lets jump to the recipe of the experimental delicious dish.

INGREDIENTS

1cup-250ml/230gm; *1tbsp.–Tablespoon; *1tsp.–Teaspoon;

For marinate the Chicken

Chicken (small pieces) – 250 gm
Salt – 1/2 tsp
Lemon juice – 1 tsp
Red chili powder – 1/2 tsp

For Kadai Chicken gravy

Onion – 2 medium size
Tomato – 2 small
Coriander leaves – 1/4 cup
Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder – 1 tbsp.
Cumin powder – 1 tsp
Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
Red chili powder – 1 tsp
Ginger garlic paste – 1 tbsp.
Fenugreek leaves – 2 tbsp.
Garam masala – 1/2 tsp
Fresh cream – 1/4 cup
Sugar – 1 tbsp.
Salt – 1/2 tsp or as per your taste
Water – 1+1/2 cup
Oil – 2 tbsp.

For crunchy veggies

Onion dice – 1 cup
Capsicum (Bell pepper) dice – 1 cup
Green peas – 1/4 cup

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 1 hr

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Servings 2 People

Equipment

Normal Fry Pan / Kadai Pan

Notes

1. Always choose breast / boneless piece of chicken for this recipe. If you like to use leg pieces then make sure all bones are pealed out properly. And then chop the meat into little small pieces.

2. When it comes to Kadai Paneer , it does not require more then 5 minutes to marinate. But when the dish is related to chicken, It needs at least 30 minutes to marinate.

3. Don’t over fry your veggies, otherwise they will be softer and will loose the crunchiness. After cutting the veggies, use a tissue paper to soak the excess water from them. We need them to be as dry as possible.

4. To keep you veggies crunchy into the gravy. Add them into the gravy 2 minutes before turning off the stove.

5. Always add the cream at the last stage of the cooking. Don’t cook fresh cream for long time. And after adding it, keep stirring the gravy.

6. If you don’t have fresh cream at your home, then use 1/2 cup of milk into your gravy. You will get the almost same texture as fresh cream in your dish. In that case use thick milk.

7. In addition, here is a tip to make your chicken softer for long. For this marinate the chicken with lemon juice and salt for 30 minutes. Then use them into your gravy and cook it for 15 minutes into the gravy.

8. Fenugreek leaves is the most essential flavoring ingredient for this dish. It enhances the taste and flavor of the dish. Before using the leaves, microwave it for 30 secs ( if it is not enough crunchy to crush it).

Keyword Chicken

How to make Kadai Chicken

Step 1: Firstly take the boneless chicken pieces, cut it into small cube size pieces. After that put them in a bowl to prepare the marinate. Squeeze out each drop of water from the chicken.

Step 2: Now add 1/2 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp of red chili powder and 1 tbsp. of lemon juice in the bowl and mix them all properly. Let it be for 30 minutes to marinate.

Step 3: Meanwhile chop onion, tomato and coriander into small slices for the gravy. Similarly we need 1 cup of onions and bell pepper in small dices.

Step 4: Now add 2tbsp. of oil into a preheated kadai or fry pan. Then add the marinated chicken into the oil and fry them for 5-10 minutes on low flame. Then take them out on a plate.

Step 5: Similarly fry the onions and capsicum dices, on the same oil . Fry them for only 2 minutes. Then take them out into a plate. Don’t fry them for long time.

Step 6: In the same kadai or pan, add 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds. Wait for the crackling of cumin seeds. Then add chopped onions into the pan. Fry the onions for 3-4 minutes or till brown in color.

Step 7: At this stage, add 1 tbsp. of ginger garlic paste and roast them for 1 minute. Then add the chopped tomatoes on it. Fry for another 1-2 minutes.

Step 8: Then add all the spices ( coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric, red chili , sugar, salt ) on it. Roast them all for another 1 minute or so. Now let it cool.

Step 9: Now make a paste using that roasted spices. For this use your mixer and also you can add 2 tbsp. of water during the process.

Step 10: In the same kadai or pan, pour the paste of spices and roast it for another 2 minutes on low flame. Add 1/4 cup of peas into the spices. Roast them for another 1-2 minutes.

Step 11: Now add 1+1/2 cup of water into it and wait for the boiling. Cook this gravy for 5 minutes on low flame. After that add fried chicken into the gravy and cook for 10 minutes. Then add the fried veggies into then gravy and cook it for another 2-3 minutes.

Step 12: Our kadai chicken is ready, at this point add chopped coriander leaves, crushed fenugreek leaves and 1/4 cup of fresh cream. Just mix them well.

Our kadai paneer is ready to be served. Enjoy this with soft and hot Indian roti or paratha. I hope you and your family will love it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is difference between Kadai chicken and chicken curry?

Yes there are a lot of differences between Kadai chicken and chicken curry. Kadai chicken has a thick and creamy gravy, where chicken curry doesn’t.

Chicken curry is mainly made with onions and sometimes potato pieces is used as a secondary ingredient. But Kadai chicken contains bell pepper (capsicums), onion and more veggies.

Chicken curry goes well with hot rice, where kadai paneer goes well with anything like roti, capati, paratha and rice.

What is the meaning of Kadai chicken?

The name of Kadai Chicken came from the word kadai which translates to cooking pot, which is traditionally made with cast iron. Because this entire recipe traditionally used to be made within the same kadai on which it is served so the name Kadai Chicken.

Which is the best Indian chicken dish?

Indian food is popular for the taste and flavor of Spices. As food is part of our culture, so it is heavily influenced by the place, festivals and many more factors.

If you are my International reader then I urge you to visit India at least once. I am sure you will have good memories worth carrying a lifetime.

I do have my favorite chicken dish like everyone does, you will also have one, once you try our recipes.

Which city is famous for chicken curry?

Chicken curry is a generic dish, having slightly different preparation methods across the country. There is no specific city famous for it. Difference in taste what makes Indian food so attractive.

What is the price of chicken kadai?

Price of Chicken Kadai is varies with places and restaurant. As much as I remember, I have ordered Kadai chicken within INR 250 – 500 a plate.

Kadai Chicken