Last Updated on July 27, 2023 by Amanda P. Brown
Indian Cuisine is well known for its rich flavors and unique culinary traditions. And in Indian Cuisine, chicken dishes are a great feature selection as a side of the menu. Because Indian chicken dishes name list ranging from hearty curries to sizzling tandoori, or tangy, spicy, and smoky flavors of chicken tikka, their preparations offer a delightful combination of tender, soft, creamy butter, aromatic spices, and mouthwatering sauces.
Furthermore, these dishes’ complex flavors contribute to reflecting India’s diverse regional cuisines. Even the ingenuity and creative skills of Indian chefs continue to show perfection in transforming chicken into delicious dishes.
However, below is a 15 Indian chicken dishes name list that will satisfy to craving your taste.
15 Indian Chicken Dishes Name List
Table of Contents
- Butter Chicken
- Tandoori Chicken
- Malai Chicken Tikka
- Chicken Rezala (Murgh rezala)
- Chicken Dum Biryani
- Chicken Seekh Kebab
- Murgh Musallam
- Chicken Chettinad
- Chicken Pakora
- Indian Chicken Soup
- Chicken cafreal
- Spicy Tangy Kadhai Chicken
- Chicken ghee roast
- Goan Chicken Xacuti
- Achari chicken
1. Butter Chicken
Butter Chicken is a classic Indian dish quite popular in Punjab Cuisine. And this creamy, silky curry mouthwatering dish is frequently referred to as Chicken Makhani. Cook this recipe with simmering marinated and grilled chicken (Tandoori Chicken) in a spicy, aromatic, butter, and creamy tomato sauce. However, it is commonly served in many Indian functions and celebrations that entice everyone with its delightful taste.
Moreover, this dish is approximately packed 30 grams of protein per serving, making it a keto-friendly option for you with low carbs and high fat and protein content.
Serving Suggestions:
- Gluten-free bread
- Rosemary bread
- Brown rice
- Cilantro lime rice
- Steamed vegetables
- Scalloped potatoes
- Cauliflower tots
- Tostadas
- Saag
- Cucumber raita
- Mint chutney
- Garlic breadsticks
- Broccoli
- Chapatti
- Samosa
- Onion bhajis
- Blooming onion
- Naan bread
Nutrition Fact: A serving of butter chicken typically contains about 400 calories.
2. Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori chicken, referred to as tandoori murgh, is a wildly popular dish in Indian Cuisine. The word “tannur,” which signifies fire in Persian, is the source of the dish’s name. The dish consists of chicken marinated in yogurt in curd and seasoned with a mixture of tandoori masala, cumin, and nutmeg.
The marinated chicken on skewers is then cooked in a tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven. This dish gives you a tender, juicy, and bursting flavor with a smoky aroma that is delightful to serve with cilantro or mint chutney. However, you should also be appreciated it as a delicious appetizer, main course, or starter.
Additionally, tandoori chicken contains fat and calories and is a good source of vitamins B3, B5, and B6 which are beneficial for a healthy body. Even it is rich in selenium which contributes to quickly burn your calorie.
Serving Suggestions:
- Homemade naan bread
- Easy flatbread
- Tomato, red onion, and cucumber salad
- Spiced rice
Nutrition Fact: A 200g serving of tandoori chicken includes around 265 calories.
3. Malai Chicken Tikka
Malai Chicken Tikka is a popular non-veg kebab or kabob acclaimed, perfect for Indian chicken appetizers. It is prepared by marinating boneless chicken pieces in a creamy cashew-based fresh herb and then baking, pan-frying, or grilling them. Additionally, you can serve this juicy dish as a snack or iftar with your favorite dipping sauce. Furthermore, if you are a non-vegetarian, kebabs and tikkas are considered healthy as they are prepared with less oil.
Serving Suggestions:
- Homemade naan
- Side of salad
Nutrition Fact: A serving of Malai Chicken contains 171 calories.
4. Chicken Rezala (Murgh rezala)
Chicken Rezala, also known as Murgh Rezala, is a spicy chicken curry recipe that originated in East India and is particularly famous in Bengal. This delicacy, creamy, decadent, moderately thick, and spicy chicken curry is marinated in white gravy and then cooked in clarified butter, aka ghee, with cashew-poppy seed paste, ginger-garlic, onion, kewra water, and some certain spices. Moreover, you can enjoy this delicious dish with your whole family to your hearty content.
Serving Suggestions:
- Naan
- Rice
- Rumali roti and tandoori roti
- Tawa paratha and lachha paratha
- Luchi
- Pulao
Nutrition Fact: A 200g serving of Chicken Rezala (Murgh rezala) contains 308cal.
5. Chicken Dum Biryani
Chicken Dum Biryani is an authentic Mughlai dish that is the most famous Biryani in India. This chicken biryani is traditionally made using the “dum method” developed by the Mughals, which refers to the slow cooking process. Additionally, the process involves food preparation in ‘handis,’ covered with lids and sealed around with the flour dough. This procedure, therefore, gives your rice and meat the proper scent and flavor. Furthermore, you can easily prepare this delicious dish at home and serve it to everyone on any occasion.
Moreover, this dish is packed with Vitamin B6 for metabolism, antioxidants for anti-aging, selenium to boost immunity, and even protects the body and supports a healthy immune system.
Serving Suggestions:
- Vegan hariyali kebab
- Cabbage stir fry
- Pineapple raita
- Sprouted mung bean salad
- Mirchi ka salan
- Onion bhajis
- Kachumber
- Mint chutney
Nutrition Fact: Chicken biryani contains 360 calories per 500 gm of serving.
6. Chicken Seekh Kebab
For summer cookouts, Chicken Sikh Kebab is an excellent dish as an Indian appetizer. As per the specific recipe, combine the lean ground chicken with other Indian spices like garlic, ginger, green chilies, onions, lemon juice, and coriander leaves, wrap in a log shape on a skewer, and grill them over a coal fire. Therefore, this savory, smoky dish gives you a versatile and satisfying meal as an appetizer.
However, chicken kebabs are packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B-6, which boost your immunity, improve hair and skin, and fight infection and phosphorus, which supports strong bones and teeth.
Serving Suggestions:
- Bread and Hummus
- Salad
- Garlic yogurt sauce
- Grains
Nutrition Fact: One serving of chicken seekh kebab has 206 calories.
7. Murgh Musallam
Mughal Musallam is a classic Indian chicken dish that originates in the famous Mughal era. This delicious dish is prepared by marinating a whole chicken in a tandoori and stuffing the cavity of the chicken with an egg seasoned with garlic, garam masala, onion, ginger, mint, chili powder, and coriander.
After stuffing, the chicken is gently cooked in a rich gravy that comprises ginger, garlic, turmeric, cumin, onion, tomato, coriander, cinnamon, garam masala, curd, cardamom, oil, and saffron. However, this dish will give you a hearty and satisfying filling at dinner time.
Serving Suggestions:
- Jeera rice
- Naan or Roti
- Raita
- Vegetable Biryani
- Salad
- Yakhni Pulao
- Pickles and Chutneys
Nutrition Fact: A 100-gram serving of Murgh Musallam contains around 418 calories.
8. Chicken Chettinad
When it comes to fiery South Indian chicken dishes, Chicken Chettinad is one of the most popular dishes in Tamil Nadu. Because despite being spicy, South Indian Cuisine is incomplete without coconut. And this recipe combines the coconut chutney’s sweetness with the chicken’s flavor, which gives off a hint of fennel along with the aromatic spices. However, you garnish this dish with coriander leaves, which will give you satisfying pleasure on a dull, boring day.
Serving Suggestions:
- Hot steamed rice
- Paratha
Nutrition Fact: Chicken Chettinad has about 284cal (Per serving).
9. Chicken Pakora
For a rainy evening snack, chicken pakoras are a tasty, fatty, crispy, and spicy dish among the perfect chicken snack recipes. This recipe consists of a battered chicken that is deep fried in a batter of gram flour, water, and spices, with a squeeze of lemon juice on top. Therefore you can serve them as a side dish, tasty snack, or appetizer.
Serving Suggestions:
- Dipping sauce (Green chutney, Coriander chutney, spicy garlic chutney, cilantro chutney, or kabab mint chutney)
- Onion salad
- Raita
- Chai tea
Nutrition Fact: One serving of chicken pakora contains 165 kcal.
10. Indian Chicken Soup
A soup is typically a thick or liquid and creamy dish often made with a combination of protein-rich shredded chicken, chicken stock, other nutritious vegetables, and beans. Even the salty flavor of chicken goes well with onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, and herbs like thyme, parsley, coriander, and bay leaf, which enhance the taste.
Serving Suggestions:
- Dumplings
- Pasta
- Noodles
- Grains (such as barley or rice)
Nutrition Fact: 100 grams of chicken soup contains approximately 50 calories.
11. Chicken Cafreal
Chicken Kafirial recipe is gluten-free, a famous green Indian dish of Goa cuisine. It is made by marinating chicken thighs in a tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet green Cafreal masala paste and then gently cooking them. Therefore, you can serve chicken cafreal as an appetizer or side dish with a Goan-style meal. However, you can enjoy the unique taste effortlessly at home or even find some restaurants that offer their taste.
Serving Suggestions:
- Salad
- Soup
- Potato wedges and lime wedges
Nutrition Fact: Per serving ( 255gm), Chicken Cafreal has 263cal.
12. Kadhai Chicken
Kadhai chicken is another of the popular chicken curry recipes in India, known for its sweet and spicy flavors. The recipe involves simmering chicken marinated in a spicy tomato-onion sauce with cubed bell peppers, aromatic kadai masala, tamarind, jaggery, lemon, and onions. However, you can enjoy this delicious lip-smacking chicken dish according to your preference.
Serving Suggestions:
- Roti
- Steamed rice
Nutrition Fact: Per serving of Kadhai Chicken has 423cal
13. Chicken Ghee Roast
Another delectable South Indian cuisine, Chicken Ghee Roast, remains a popular dish. It is also called Mangalorean Chicken Ghee Roast, originating in Kundapur, a town near Udupi. This delicious dish contains a mixture of dry red chilies, fresh ground spices, curry leaves, ghee, and tamarind. However, with this fiery red color, the spicy and tangy dish cooked with ghee is best served as an appetizer.
Serving Suggestions:
- Steamed rice
- Neer Dosa
- Appam
- Cabbage Thoran
- Roti or Paratha
- Vegetable Pulao
- Raita
- Pickles and Chutneys
- Salad
- Lemon rice
- Papadums
Nutrition Fact: Chicken ghee roast contains per serving of 300 to 400cal.
14. Goan Chicken Xacuti
Goan Chicken Xacuti is a tangy, spicy, savory curry in Goa, India. It is referred to as Shagoti in Konkani, a local term. And this complex flavor recipe consists of marinated chicken cooked in a smooth paste with garlic, onion, white poppy seeds, large dry red chilies, whole spices, garam masala, and freshly grated coconut. Apart from chicken, it is also prepared with crab, beef, or lamb.
Serving Suggestions:
- Pao or Bread Rolls
- Steamed Rice
- Cabbage Foogath
- Goan Sannas
- Sol Kadhi
- Fresh Salad
- Fried Papad
- Goan Prawn Balchao
Nutrition Fact: 391g serving size contains 483cal.
15. Achari Chicken
Pickled chicken called “Achari Chicken” is created using the same components as South Asian pickles. This Indian curry includes a blend of nigella, fenugreek, and fennel seeds as an incredible blend of spices that give the smoky aromatic curry a tangy, slightly sour, and pickled flavor. However, your family can enjoy this delicious dish with the richness of chicken curry.
Serving Suggestions:
- Naan or roti
- Steamed rice
- Salad
Nutrition Fact: 100g of serving Chicken Achari contain 168call.
Read More:
What is the Healthiest Way to Cook Chicken?
The healthiest way to cook chicken is to follow a method that will contribute to helping you use as little excess fat and oil as possible. Some of the ideal options for this include poaching, baking, grilling, or steaming. In this case, following these cooking methods provide less fat content while maintaining your chicken’s natural flavor and nutrition. For even more fat reduction, you should remove the skin from the chicken before cooking.
Which is Good for Diet, Grilled Chicken or Tandoori Chicken?
Tandoori chicken is a great option if you want to include chicken as a source of protein and a healthy addition to your daily diet. Because it is low in calories, high in protein, and good fats, it provides a pleasant and healthful alternative.
However, grilled chicken is also low in fat and high in protein, which can be suitable for a diet if high-calorie sauces or excess oil are not used during cooking.
FAQs
What is the Indian Chicken Dish Called?
Authentic Chicken Tikka Masala is an Indian chicken dish cooked with yogurt-marinated chicken. To retain its incredible bbq flavor, they have to be skewered and charred. Besides, you can cook them in a skillet or pot, keeping the flavor intact by making this easy recipe at home.
Why is Indian Chicken Pink?
In traditional cooking of Indian chicken, cochineal dye is used to impart a pink hue, or some ingredients in tandoori chicken spices, such as Kashmiri red chili powder and turmeric, are used in marinades.
Furthermore, according to the USDA, oven gases in a hot gas or electric oven react with hemoglobin in meat tissue to produce a pinkish tinge. Even smaller birds often have thinner skins that allow oven gases to penetrate the meat,contributing to the pinkest appearance.
Why Indian Chicken Recipes Become Popular?
Indian chicken recipes offer aromatic spices and an exceptional blend of flavors that make them popular. Because of the regional diversity of Indian Cuisine, different chicken recipes each have their cooking techniques and taste variations. However, the versatility of chicken as a protein in many recipes has become a hugely popular culinary experience.
What is the Dissimilarity Between Murgh Makhani and Tikka Masala?
Murg Makhani and Tikka Masala differ in their origin and the variety of subtle flavors. Murg Makhani, originating from North India, includes a smoother and creamier sauce with a hint of sweetness, whereas Tikka Masala, originating in Britain, features a slightly spicier and chunkier tomato-based sauce. However, their differences contribute to their taste and influence the culinary experience.
Which Chicken is Tasty?
Thighs are the tastiest part of the chicken. A little parcel of juicy, fatty, soft meat from the top of the bird’s leg makes up this thigh section. You can even include them in different recipes as desired, boned or boneless, and skin on or off. Therefore, chicken thighs are darker and tougher than white breast meat, so it takes a little longer to cook but still gives you a richer and more flavorful dish.
What Indian Chicken is Healthiest?
The most well-known dish in Indian Cuisine is tandoori chicken, which was updated by the Moti Mahal restaurant in New Delhi in the late 1940s. To make this dish, the chicken is marinated in curd and spices and roasted in a clay oven in a cylindrical tandoor, giving it an aromatic spicy, creamy, tender, and slightly smoky taste. Though the yogurt added to the recipe adds plenty of protein without the high calories from fat, touted as a healthier alternative to the popular chicken tikka masala.
Final Verdict
The varied and exciting array of chicken dishes in Indian Cuisine reflects the heritage, richness, and depth of Indian Cuisine. So if you want to explore the rich, creamy, buttery, spicy, and tangy flavors of Indian chicken delicacies, then these dishes are for you. The list of notable delicious Indian chicken dish names includes butter chicken, juicy tandoori chicken, smoky chicken tikka masala, dam biryani, etc., which offer you a variety of delicious flavors along with a healthy side. However, you can follow this article to satisfy your every palate and get the most delicious Indian chicken dishes that are satisfying.
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