• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Two Cloves In A Pot
  • Recipes
  • Get To Know Us
  • Shop
  • Pakistani Arvi Gosht (Mutton, Instant Pot)
  • Pakistani-Style Butter Chicken (Better than Restaurant!)
  • Authentic Beef Nihari (Beef Shank Stew)
  • How To Make Authentic Chicken Biryani At Home
  • Achari Bhindi (The Best)
  • Authentic Pakistani Kadhi Pakora
  • How To Make Authentic Pakistani-Style Chicken Karahi
  • 20-Minute Instant Pot Moong and Masoor Dal
  • Instant Pot Whole Masoor Dal (The Best)
  • Authentic Dum Ka Keema (Smoked Ground Beef)
  • Pakistani Maash Ki Dal (Urad Dal)
  • Thai Red Chicken Curry
  • Authentic Pakistani Mutton/Goat Karahi (Karahi Gosht)
  • Goat Paya Curry/Mutton Trotters (Instant Pot)
  • Chicken Caprese Pasta
  • Aloo Matar Keema (Potatoes, Peas, and Ground Beef Curry)
  • Zinger Burger
  • Achari Aloo
  • Zucchini Curry
  • Authentic Kofta Curry (Meatball Curry)
  • Buffalo Chicken Pizza
  • Chicken Malai Tikka
  • Kung Pao Chicken
  • Chana Pulao (Chickpea Pilaf)
  • Chicken Tigania
  • Fried Chicken Tacos
  • Instant Pot Gobi Gosht (Cauliflower & Meat Curry)
  • Lauki Gosht (Bottle Gourd and Meat Curry)
  • *Shahi Paneer Makhni* (Better than any restaurant) Total time: 25 minutes!!!
  • Baked Chicken 65
  • One Pot Yogurt Chicken Curry
  • Keemay Ki Kachori (Easy and Authentic)
  • AUTHENTIC ALOO KI TIKKI
  • Classic Stuffing Recipe
  • Roasted Potatoes
  • Street Style Corn (Bhutta)
  • Garlic Knots
  • Chicken Bread
  • Lacha Paratha
  • Pakistani Golgappa Chaat (Golgappay Chaat)
  • Sweet Dahi Baray (Lentil Fritters & Creamy Yogurt)
  • Lobia Chaat (Black Eyed Bean Chaat)
  • Keemay Ki Goliyaan (Fried Meatballs)
  • Paneer Masala Kati Roll
  • Green Bean Casserole
  • Garlic Butter Mushrooms- Cooking Time 10 minutes
  • Instant Pot Shami Kababs (Easy and Authentic)
  • Vaquas's Paneer Masala Panini
  • Fried Ravioli
  • Banana Chocolate Chip Bread
  • Khageena (The Best)
  • Pumpkin Pie
  • Banana Chocolate Chip Bread
  • Cinnamon Rolls
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Crunch Peshawari Ice Cream
  • Chocolate Ganache Tart
  • Madeleines
  • Blueberry and Lemon Bundt Cake
  • Creame Brûlée
  • Chocolate Soufflé
  • Sarah’s Lemon Bars
  • Sarah’s Chocolate Mousse
  • Panna Cotta (original)
  • Pakistani Limca
  • Mango Lassi (THE BEST)
  • 5-Minute Refreshing Lassi Recipe (Indian Yogurt Drink)
  • Watermelon Lemonade
  • Sarah’s Pink Smoothie
  • Almond and Saffron Milk
  • 3-Minute Pakistani Green Chutney
  • How To Make Khatti Meethi Chutney At Home
  • Sarah’s Guacamole (Total time 7 min)
  • Best Cranberry Sauce
  • Dough Recipe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Get To Know Us
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Join the community!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Get To Know Us
    • Shop
    • Contact
  • Join the community!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×

    Home » Main Dish

    How To Make Authentic Pakistani-Style Chicken Karahi

    Apr 5, 2023 by Sarah Mirza · 12 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Follow this recipe tutorial and learn How To Make Authentic Pakistani-Style Chicken Karahi in under one hour. Prepared stovetop, this tomato-based chicken curry is made with homemade Karahi masala, bone-in chicken quarters and warming spices. It uses no yogurt. It’s deeply flavorful and perfect served with chapati or naan.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    • What is Chicken Karahi?
    • Video
    • Ingredients
    • How to make Chicken Karahi?
    • With bone or without bone?
    • With or without yogurt
    • Tips
    • Chicken Karahi Recipe
    Authentic Chicken Karahi, Chicken Karahi, Chicken Karahi, Pakistani Chicken Karahi pakistani blog, blog,

    WHAT IS CHICKEN KARAHI?

    How To Make Authentic Pakistani-Style Chicken Karahi is a popular question. Well, Chicken Karahi is an extremely popular Pakistani chicken recipe. This is one of the most popular Pakistani dinner recipes. This recipe consists chicken in a wok-style pan called 'Karahi'. This recipe is rich in flavors and it's a tomato-based gravy with combination of an aromatic homemade Karahi masala. Chicken Karahi is a staple of pakistani cuisine and enjoyed both in restaurant and at home like: Chicken Biryani, Beef Nihari, Butter Chicken, and Mutton Korma.

    Authentic Chicken Karahi

    VIDEO

    INGREDIENTS

    • Chicken- I personally think chicken quarters work well with this recipe.
    • Tomatoes- Three tomatoes will do wonders for this recipe.
    • Tomato paste- Just one tablespoon in this recipe will go along way.
    • Onion- Make sure onion is chopped.
    • Homemade Karahi Masala- Just few whole spices and powder spices makes a great Karahi Masala.
    AUTHENTIC Chicken Karahi

    5 stars
    My husband loves this recipe! I have made it at least 3 times and we’re having it for dinner again tonight. It comes out great every time. [...] Looks fantastic, and can’t wait to eat it again.

    Katie E.

    HOW TO COOK CHICKEN KARAHI ?

    Add oil, whole spices, and green peppers.
    Translucent the onion.
    Now add Ginger Garlic Paste.
    Mix well.
    Coriander Powder, Garam Masala Powder, Homemade Karahi Masala, and salt.
    Tomatoes and let it cook until it look like this.
    Tomato paste.
    Chicken cube.
    Cilantro, lemon juice, and water.
    Let it cook.
    Garnish with ginger and cilantro.
    Enjoy with naan.
    Authentic Chicken Karahi

    WITH BONE OR WITHOUT BONE?

    Commonly, Chicken Karahi is made using whole chicken but I prefer using leg quarter. Boneless chicken thighs are a great alternative. I personally find that chicken bone-in quarters work well for this recipe as they are juicy and packed with flavor.

    AUTHENTIC Chicken Karahi

    WITH OR WITHOUT YOGURT?

    If you're looking to try a yogurt-free version of this recipe, it's good to have alternatives that suit different dietary requirements and preferences. However, it's worth noting that yogurt can be useful in balancing out the heat in spicy dishes, so you may need to adjust the level of spiciness if you leave it out. A small amount of yogurt, even as little as one tablespoon, can be a good compromise for those who prefer a milder taste.

    chicken karahi in a wok.

    TIPS

    • Dry roasting spices is to enhance their flavor and aroma. Grinding the spices when they are still hot can cause the oils to release too quickly and result in a bitter taste.
    • Adding too many fresh tomatoes can make the recipe too watery and dilute the flavors, so using just four fresh tomatoes and relying on the tomato paste to bring in more tomato flavor is a good strategy.
    • Adding a chicken bouillon cube is a great way to boost the savory flavor of your karahi.

    Let's Make Chicken Karahi!!!

    Chicken Karahi in a karahi with a hand with chapati.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    How To Make Authentic Pakistani-Style Chicken Karahi

    Pakistani Chicken Karahi comes together in under an hour. It's a tomato-based curry made with homemade masala and no yogurt.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time25 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian, Pakistani
    Diet: Halal
    Keyword: authentic, authentic chicken karahi, buffalo chicken pizza, chicken karahi, karahi, pakistani style chicken karahi, pakistani style karahi
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories:
    Author: Sarah Mirza

    Ingredients

    Karahi

    • 1 lbs chicken with bone
    • 3 tsp homemade karahi masala
    • ⅓ cup olive oil extra virgin
    • 5 tbsp ginger garlic paste
    • ½ medium onion finely chopped
    • 2 serrano peppers slit
    • 3 tomatoes chopped
    • 1 tbsp tomatoes paste
    • ½ bunch cilantro roughly chopped
    • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
    • ¼ cup water
    • 1 chicken stock cube Maggie chicken flavored bouillon

    Whole Spices

    • 2 green cardamom pods
    • 1 black cardamom
    • 1 cinnamon stick

    Powdered Spices

    • ½ tsp salt
    • a pinch garam masala powder
    • 2 tsp coriander powder

    Garnish

    • cilantro finely chopped (for garnish)
    • fresh lemon juice (for garnish)
    • ginger (julienne) for garnish

    Instructions

    Karahi

    • In a wok, on medium heat, add oil, and add in the slit seranno pepper, black cardamom, green cardamon pods, and cinnamon stick. Keep stirring as it sizzles for one minute.
    • Next add the onion, sauté it until they get translucent (make sure they don't turn brown).
    • Add ginger garlic paste and mix it for 30 seconds.
    • Next add chicken and 3 tsp Homemade Karahi Masala, coriander powder, and Garam Masala powder and mix well for 2-4 minutes.
    • Once the chicken is no longer pink (That's like 25% cooked).
    • Add finely chopped tomatoes, and mix well.
    • Cook it on medium heat for 7-10 minutes stirring occasionally until tomatoes are all infused. well with the chicken and the oil separates.
    • Add 1 tbsp tomato paste, ½ tsp salt, 1 tbsp lemon juice, ¼ cup water, cilantro and chicken cube. Mix everything well.
    • Now turn the stove on medium-low heat.
    • Let it cook for 5-7 minutes.
    • Cook it open it on low heat for 5 minutes. 
    • Mix it well.
    • Garnish with ginger and cilantro. 
    • Squeeze fresh lemon on top. 
    • Serve it hot with naan.

    Video

    « Rich and Creamy Egg Halwa (Anday Ka Halwa)
    3-Minute Homemade Tikka Masala »

    Sharing is caring!

    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Free Recipes

    We share our latest recipes, cooking tips, and more in our newsletter. We'd love to have you join!

    Please Wait

    Thank you for signing up!

    You'll receive an email to confirm your subscription shortly.

    Much Love,

    Sarah & Vaquas

    Two Cloves In A Pot

    Much Love and Be Safe!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mahvish Shah says

      April 01, 2021 at 7:54 pm

      5 stars
      I am a foodie person had many karahis in my life but this is a must try very easy steps doesn't take long and a authentic desi karahi very delicious chicken is tender enough the gravy and sauce is right amount not too dry

      Reply
      • Sarah Mirza says

        April 01, 2021 at 11:12 pm

        so glad to hear that. <3

        Reply
    2. Katie E says

      June 12, 2021 at 3:48 pm

      This looks great! I’m going to try making it tonight, but one quick question: I understand the chicken is with the bone, but is it skinned? Or do you leave the skin on? I am inclined to skin the chicken before cooking…

      Reply
      • Sarah Mirza says

        June 12, 2021 at 4:03 pm

        without skin. I can’t wait would love your feedback after you try it. Please feel free to message me if you have any questions.

        Reply
        • Katie E says

          August 11, 2021 at 7:34 pm

          5 stars
          My husband loves this recipe! I have made it at least 3 times and we’re having it for dinner again tonight. It comes out great every time. The first couple of times I made it, it was a little dry, but I think that’s because I don’t have a karahi or wok, so the oil was all spread out in a larger pan and didn’t cook the whole spice masala the same way it should have. Tonight, I used a smaller saucier to start with the oil, Serrano pepper, and whole spices, and then transferred it to the larger pot for the rest of the recipe. I think it made all the difference! Looks fantastic, and can’t wait to eat it!

          Reply
          • Sarah Mirza says

            August 11, 2021 at 7:42 pm

            Omg! Sooo glad that you love this recipe! Thank you so much for this awesome review! 😍😍😍

            Reply
    3. Sephora Hassan says

      June 15, 2021 at 3:19 pm

      5 stars
      Always thought couldn't ever make the perfect karahi at home, THIS recipe changed it all

      Reply
      • Sarah Mirza says

        June 16, 2021 at 3:32 pm

        aww thank you so much 🙂

        Reply
    4. asif jamal says

      June 04, 2022 at 3:28 pm

      5 stars
      My wife made karahi with this recipe and I loved it 😍. She used to make very good karahi.last week she made karahi with this recipe and that was the best karahi she ever made.. really delicious.. I think no one can make better karahi than this..

      Reply
      • Sarah Mirza says

        June 05, 2022 at 3:47 pm

        Thank you so much :*

        Reply
    5. Cass city says

      August 28, 2022 at 10:25 pm

      5 stars
      The best I’ve ever had, words cannot describe how good this is, my mom made this last week but I still want it in my mouth. Just looking at the pictures makes my mouth water hehe☺️ We’ve been trying to find a good recipe for months and almost lost hope until my mother came across this page! All your recipes are helpful and easy to understand; it always ends up as spectacular dinner!! This one is my personal favorite❤️👌 If anyone is reading this, you guys HAVE to check out all their recipes because they are literal life savers.

      Reply
      • Sarah Mirza says

        August 28, 2022 at 10:30 pm

        OMG!!! OMG!!! Thank you so much that means the world! We are speechless! <3

        Reply

    Leave a comment & rate this recipe Cancel reply

    If you love this recipe, please consider giving it a star rating when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover our recipes online. Your support means a lot!

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome

    Portrait of Sarah and Vaquas in front of mountains

    Hello friend! Our names are Sarah Mirza & Vaquas Saleem. We are a passionate, food-loving husband and wife duo working on this blog.

    We sincerely hope that when you try our recipes, you’re able to wander blissfully down a cultural memory lane and experience the authenticity and tradition that we and so many others grew up cherishing.

    More about us →

    Popular

    • holding mutton karahi in hand with stuff in the background
      Authentic Pakistani Mutton/Goat Karahi (Karahi Gosht)
    • Paya Curry (Mutton Trotters)
      Goat Paya Curry/Mutton Trotters (Instant Pot)
    • a plate with golgappa chaat.
      Pakistani Golgappa Chaat (Golgappay Chaat)
    • 2 bowls of dal and chawal
      20-Minute Instant Pot Moong and Masoor Dal

    Latest Recipes

    • 3 bowls of do pyaza with onion and cilantro on the side.
      Pakistani-Style Mutton Do Pyaza
    • a picture of a half the bowl.
      Homemade Zeera Rice (Jeera/Cumin Spiced Rice)
    • 3 bowls of shimla mirch keema with a green pepper on the side and hands holding one of bowls.
      Pakistani Shimla Mirch Keema (Bell Pepper & Ground Beef Curry)
    • green chutney raita in a white bowl with a spoon lifting a spoon full of raita.
      Smooth Pakistani Green Chutney Raita

    Free Recipes

    We share our latest recipes, cooking tips, and more in our newsletter. We'd love to have you join!

    Please Wait

    Thank you for signing up!

    You'll receive an email to confirm your subscription shortly.

    Much Love,

    Sarah & Vaquas

    Two Cloves In A Pot

    Much Love and Be Safe!

    Footer

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Two Cloves in a Pot | Support by Foodie Digital