The cuisine of India is a treasure trove of flavours from its very diversified and complex use of spices and ingredients. Among the many kinds of culinary delights that Indian cuisine has to offer are the flavourful varieties of dishes made with chicken.
If you either love Indian food or really want to try new tastes in 2024, here are some of the best Indian chicken dishes available at Balti Indian Restaurant.
The Best Indian Chicken Dishes
1. Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken Tikka Masala is beyond any doubt the star of Indian chicken dishes all over the world. Tender chicken pieces, marinated in yogurt and spices, greatly flame-grilled and afterward simmered in a creamy, rich tomato-based sauce, make it an absolutely fabulous dish.
The creamy sauce, painted by flavours of tomato and cream and inlayed by a mixture of cumin, coriander, and garam masala, is a flavour bomb. The tangy, creamy, and a bit spicy taste combination balances out and has a very wide appeal; hence, it’s a favourite in the Indian culinary repertoire around the entire world.
2. Butter Chicken
Butter Chicken, or Murgh Makhani, as it is called, is another of those flagship dishes that has managed to touch down all over the world. In this dish, the chicken is marinated in spiced yogurt and then cooked inside a tandoor—a traditional clay oven—and finally lightly simmered in a rich and buttery tomato sauce. The sauce is creamy, not really highly spiced, and is great for those people who do not like too much fire in their dishes. Butter, cream, and tomatoes all together make the texture of the sauce so unctuous with a rich flavour profile.
3. Mughlai Chicken Korma
Mughlai Chicken Korma is quite an appetizing dish for people who love aromatic, mildly spiced delicacies. Credits to the ground almonds and coconut, this dish combines chicken in a very rich sauce that is mildly spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. The end product is a very rich, just minimally sweet dish that fairly bursts with flavour. Chicken Korma is garnished with crushed fresh cilantro leaves and a few slivers of almonds for a delightful crunch.
4. Chicken Vindaloo
If you feel like something with a kick, it is chicken vindaloo for you. Hot and strongly flavoured, this dish which hails from the Goan region in India gives fire to your chicken. This fierce dish consists of chicken marinated in vinegar and garlic with hot, pungent spices, all of which becomes a rich, tangy, aromatic stew. The vindaloo is not for the feeble-hearted, but it’s good for spicy food lovers.
5. Chicken Bhoona
Chicken Bhoona happens to be a very thick-based, spicy Indian chicken dish in a gravy preparation. Chicken is cooked with spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric together, along with onions and tomatoes. The flavour of this dish is released during “bhooning,” or “frying” stage at which all the components are cooked until all the spices and the rest of the indigenous base have had time to fully cook out, rendering an aroma. This method of cooking enhances flavours and gives an individual dish a rich and robust taste. It’s the perfect choice for those who love spiciness but without too much sauce.
6. Biryani
The list of best Indian chicken dishes would be incomplete without Chicken Biryani, a fragrant and flavourful rice dish. This dish rolls around marinated chicken, flavourful basmati rice, fried onions, and a blend of exotic spices all layered together and cooked just rightly so that the flavours just dissolve on the palate. It’s aromatic, it’s colourful, and full of flavours. Chicken Biryani is garnished with fresh cilantro leaves and a squeeze of lemon juice, which adds a fresh and tangy note to an otherwise rich and savoury dish.
7. Tandoori
Chicken Tandoori is that toothsome dish with the flavours of uniqueness that make this preparation method so desirable. Chicken marinated with yogurt and spices, including turmeric, cumin and garam masala, is cooked in the tandoor at very high temperatures, thus imparting a nice, smoky character to the dish. The high heat in the tandoor will certainly sear the chicken, giving it a succulently charred exterior while keeping the inside very juicy and tender. It is usually served with a refreshing mint chutney.
8. Madras Chicken
Chicken Madras is a spicy and tangy curry originating from the southern part of India. The incredibly powerful and potent flavours are mostly associated with tomatoes, onions, and a composition of fennel, cumin, and mustard seeds along with tamarind acting like a tangy agent, and some chilli powder to put on the strength. Chicken Madras is popular among those who enjoy robust and spicy curries.
Conclusion
Whether your palate prefers things to be mellow and creamy, or tangy and fiery-spiced, these dishes present something in them to tickle every taste bud. Therefore, make sure to try these popular Indian chicken dishes in 2024.