Dahi Chicken Recipe (Yogurt Chicken Curry)

Name: Dahi chicken recipe (Yogurt chicken curry)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 600 g chicken; 1 cup full fat yogurt/curd; salt to taste; 1 tsp ground cumin (cumin powder); 1/2 tsp turmeric; 1/2 tsp spicy red chili powder; 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder; 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste; 2 tsp ground coriander (coriander powder); 1/2 tsp crushed black pepper; 4 cloves; 1 bay leaf; 2 green cardamoms; 1- inch cinnamon; 2 onions (chopped); 1 tsp Kasuri methi (roasted and crushed); 2 green chilies ((cut into 1-inch peces)); coriander leaves

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Dahi Chicken recipe with step-by-step photos and a video recipe. Dahi Chicken curry (also known as Yogurt chicken curry or curd chicken curry) is a quick and easy chicken curry made with tender chicken cooked in a spicy and creamy yogurt-based sauce. You can make it within 30 minutes. Gluten-free recipe. Serve it with Roti, Naan, or Jeera rice.

dahi chicken served in white bowl (close-up shot)

Yogurt chicken is a one-pot, Indian chicken curry, made with simple ingredients in just 30 minutes. Yogurt or curd is the main ingredient that gives the curry a smooth and creamy texture.

Dahi chicken is soft, tender & melts in the mouth. The gravy is mildly spicy, and creamy, and tastes absolutely delicious. Similar Indian chicken curries that you may like are Chicken Korma, Mughlai Chicken, Garlic Chicken Curry, and Hyderabadi Chicken Masala.

Table of Contents

Dahi Chicken (Curd Chicken)

In this recipe post, I am sharing how to make Dahi chicken recipe. It is also known as Yogurt Chicken, Dahi wala chicken, Curd Chicken Curry, or Dahi Murgh.

Dahi in the Hindi language means “yogurt” and Murgh means “chicken“. This yogurt chicken curry has all the delectable flavors of Indian cuisine.

Compared to other Indian chicken curries, it is easy to make at home. There are no cashew nuts, sugar, or cream used to make this curry. That makes this curd chicken a healthy chicken curry.

The Yogurt (aka Dahi) makes the chicken pieces soft, juicy & tender. The curry gets its creaminess from yogurt. It also balances the spiciness of the dish.

The combination of a variety of spices and garam masala takes this simple home-style chicken curry to the next level. You must try this dahi chicken recipe.

You may also like these other popular chicken recipes from this website

close-up of dahi chicken curry in a white bowl with text overlay

Why You Need This Recipe

Easy step-by-step instructions with a recipe video.
Quick & easy – You can make it easily at home with pantry staple ingredients within 30 minutes.
One-pot recipe – You can make the entire recipe in one pot, with fewer dishes to go, and easy to clean up.
This recipe is easy to customize. Check out the ingredient list below for alternative ingredients. You can add or skip the ingredients as per your taste.
Healthy – The sauce base is yogurt and it is good for digestion. Yogurt is a good source of protein, calcium, and probiotics. It also promotes gut health. In addition to this, there is no heavy use of oil, cream, or spices in the recipe. So, definitely, it is healthier compared to other chicken curries.
Balanced flavor – This recipe is not too sour or spicy. Yogurt balances the spiciness of the curry. This is the dish that your whole family can enjoy including the kids.
Gluten-free

Ingredients and Substitutions

Chicken – You can use either boneless chicken or chicken with bones to make this curry.
Yogurt – I have used Greek Yogurt to make this recipe. You can also use homemade curd/yogurt. If using homemade curd/yogurt, hang the yogurt in a muslin cloth for 15-20 minutes to drain off the excess water from it. This helps the gravy to be thick and creamy. Do not skip this step.
Flavoring – Salt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, coriander powder, roasted cumin powder, and crushed black peppercorns.
Red chili powder – I have used 2 different chili powders to make this recipe. Kashmiri red chilli powder that gives a bright red color is not too spicy and spicy red chilli powder for flavor. Substitute it with paprika.
Spices – Bay leaf, green cardamoms, cloves, and cinnamon. If you do not have whole spices, skip adding them. Substitute with 1/2 tsp garam masala powder.
Onions – I have used red onions for this recipe. Substitute it with yellow onions.
Green chilies – It is used to spice up the curry. If you do not prefer spicy then skip adding it.
Herbs – Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) and coriander leaves. Dried fenugreek leaves gives a nice aroma and flavor to the dish. If not available skip adding it.

For the detailed list of ingredients & their measurements, please check out the recipe card below.

Tips to make the Best Dahi Chicken

Use fresh curd/yogurt to make it. The yogurt should be at room temperature to make the curry. Do not use the yogurt taken directly out of the refrigerator. Yogurt may curdle while cooking.
Whisk the yogurt well before adding it.
Use thick curd/yogurt. If the curd or yogurt you are using is thin or watery then hang the yogurt in a muslin cloth for 15-20 minutes to drain off the excess water from it. This helps the dahi chicken gravy to be thick and creamy. Do not skip this step.
Marinate the chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes to 1 hour. Marinating the chicken makes the chicken tender and juicy. If marinating for more than 30 minutes, cover and keep it in the refrigerator.
Before adding marinated chicken to the pan, switch off the heat. It reduces the probability of curdling yogurt.
Cook chicken on low heat until it is cooked. It makes the chicken soft and juicy.
Kasuri Methi gives a lovely aroma to this chicken curry. You can easily purchase it online or at grocery stores nearby. Slightly roast, crush, and then add Kasuri methi to the gravy.
Kashmiri red chili powder gives a bright red color to the dish. To substitute, you can also use normal red chili powder. But the spiciness of red chili powder differs. So add it as per taste.

How to make Dahi Chicken Recipe (Step-by-step instructions with photos)

Preparations

Marinate the chicken – In a mixing bowl combine chicken, yogurt, ginger garlic paste, turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, spicy red chili powder, black pepper powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, kasuri methi, and salt. Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes.
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Making dahi chicken recipe

Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a heavy bottom pot over medium heat.
Add the whole spices and sauté for a few seconds.
Add onions, and sauté until onions are golden. Switch off the heat.
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Add the marinated chicken and stir to combine.
Cover and cook on low heat for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked. Stir it in between as required.
After 20 minutes, the gravy thickens & the chicken will be cooked. The oil from the masala will float on the top. This is an indication that the masala is cooked well.
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Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning. Add more salt or pepper if required.
Finally, add green chillies (optional), Kasuri methi, and coriander leaves. Cover and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Dahi chicken curry is ready to serve.
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Serving Suggestions

You can serve it with Roti/Naan/Parathas (Indian flatbread). You can also pair it with Jeera rice, Veg Biryani, or steamed rice.

Storage Suggestion

If you are planning to store the curry, store it within 2 hours of cooking. Let it come to room temperature and refrigerate. Stays good for 2 days.

Variations that you can try

Make it with Tomatoes – Reduce the quantity of yogurt to half and add half tomato puree. If you like to add some texture to the gravy chop the tomatoes and add them to the gravy. Add 1/2 tsp sugar to balance the acidity (optional).
Make Paneer Yogurt Curry – Substitute chicken with paneer/tofu.
Add sautéed bell peppers to the curry.
You can also make this curry with lamb meat.
Make Dahi Chicken Roast – simmer the heat & cook until the gravy dries up. Stir in between as required. It will take 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat. Garnish with some coriander leaves. Yogurt chicken roast is ready. Serve hot with Roti/Parathas.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What does curd do to chicken?

Curd acts as a natural meat tenderizer. It makes the chicken soft and tender. It also adds flavor and creaminess to the curry.
In addition to this, the amount of oil required to cook the curry is less. When we cook curry made with curd or yogurt, it releases oil. So less fat is used to cook the curry which makes it a healthier choice.

Can chicken and curd be taken together?

Yes, definitely chicken and curd can be taken together. Curd acts as a natural tenderizer for meat and also adds flavor and creaminess to the curry.
So, if you do not have any health issues related to the consumption of dairy products, you can have curd and chicken together.

Why curd curdles in chicken curry?

If the curd is added to the hot pan, or if the temperature is high, it will curdle. So, it is better to switch off the heat and then add the marinated chicken. Stir it well to combine and then switch on the heat and set the heat to low. On low heat cook the curry.

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5 from 2 votes