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Ginger chicken is a bright Pakistani dish that is perfect for busy weeknights, and sharing with friends. It gets its bold flavor from heaps of fresh ginger, cilantro and chilies, and of course, a hearty tomato sauce.
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What is Pakistani Style Ginger Chicken?
Ginger chicken is a hearty, home style chicken curry made with boneless chicken, layered fresh ginger, tomatoes, and yogurt. It's defined by its bold ginger heat that builds through three applications: crushed ginger in the base, and julienned fresh ginger folded in the middle, and garnished at the end. In Pakistani homes, it's typically served with roti or naan alongside a dry vegetable side like bhindi masala, making it a deeply satisfying weeknight meal.
I’m grateful to my friend Rafia for opening her kitchen to me, and sharing her father’s recipe. The dish was brought to Rafia’s kitchen by her father who tinkered with the recipe until the flavors brought him home.
Ingredients
The great thing about this recipe is that it doesn’t require anything obscure. If you cook South Asian food regularly, most of these items should be in your pantry already.
- Boneless Chicken: Rafia prepared this chicken using chicken breast but it will work equally well with boneless thighs.
- Yellow Onion: I would recommend using yellow onions to create the base for this dish. Red onions can work in a pinch but you will have to adjust the cooking time since they do not release as much water.
- Crushed Garlic: You can buy this from the store or you can just peel and crush fresh garlic gloves using a mortar and pestle or food processor.
- Crushed Ginger: Again, you can buy this from the store or you can peel and crush a knob of fresh ginger. I like to make the crushed ginger and garlic in advance, and store them in airtight containers in the fridge. You can add a splash of vinegar or olive oil to further increase their shelf life.
- Red Chili Powder: My family normally uses Kashmiri red chili powder that is available in most South Asian grocery stores. This variety is not too spicy, and it will give your food a brilliant bright hue. You can substitute it for cayenne powder but just remember to adjust for heat.
- Turmeric Powder: This helps add color to the dish.
- Fresh Ginger: Layering fresh ginger on top of the crushed ginger base is what makes this dish, “ginger chicken.” You can skip it but it will definitely take away from the punchiness of the dish.
- Fresh chilies: Pakistani recipes typically call for bird’s eye chilies but if you are having a hard time finding them, swap them for a locally available variety. Just remember to adjust for heat!
- Full-fat Yogurt: Adding yogurt helps thicken the texture, giving the dish a nice creamy finish. I recommend letting the yogurt come to room temperature, and lightly whisking it with a fork before adding it. This helps prevent it from curdling.
How to Make It
Start with heating oil over medium heat in a heavy-bottom pot. Once it begins to shimmer, fold in onion, and fry on medium/medium-low heat until an even golden brown. Stir in crushed garlic and ginger, and briefly fry until it no longer smells raw. Increase heat to high, and add diced chicken and salt. Fry until no longer pink.
Once the chicken is no longer pink, add the chopped tomatoes and ground spices. Keep stirring until the tomatoes break down, and get a jammy consistency.
Bring heat to medium-low, and stir in julienned ginger, and finely chopped green chili. Fold in whisked yogurt.
Let the chicken simmer for an additional 10 minutes or so until you get the desired consistency.
What to Serve with Pakistani Ginger Chicken?
Ginger chicken is great for a busy weeknight but it’s also great for sharing with friends. In addition to serving it with roti or naan, I would recommend pairing it with vegetarian sides that are on the drier side.
Nimbu Soda: I normally don’t put in a plug for drinks but personally, I think ginger chicken is begging to be had with nimbu soda.
Aloo Sabzi: This classic dish of aloo sabzi (potatoes simmered in a spicy tomato base) has a similar flavor profile to ginger chicken. It will round off your meal with starch, and also pairs well with a side of roti.
Chana Daal: This drier, tamarind-infused daal is a lovely complement to the creamy texture of the chicken.
Bhindi Masala (Okra) or Karela Sabzi (Bitter Melon): These would be my go-to sides for ginger chicken. The grassy flavor of okra or the bitterness of karela alongside ginger chicken will make for a delightful meal.
Pakistani Ginger Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat oil on medium heat in a heavy-bottom pot. Once it begins to shimmer, add chopped onion and fry until soft, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Lower heat, and add crused garlic and ginger. Fry for roughly 30 seconds or until they no longer smell raw.
- Increase heat to high, and add chicken and ½ teaspoon of the salt. Fry until no longer pink, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add red chili powder and turmeric powder, and stir until well-mixed.
- Fold in chopped tomatoes, and remainder of the salt. Cook on high heat until the sauce is reduced to a jammy mixture, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in half of the fresh ginger and green chili.
- Lower heat and stir in the whisked yogurt. Let the chicken simmer on medium-low heat for an additional 10 minutes or until you get the desired consistency.
- Place in serving bowl and garnish with remaining fresh ginger and chilies, and cilantro.
Julie says
Hello, looks delicious. Regarding the julienne ginger, do you add that with the rest of the spices, keeping some back for garnish? Or is it all garnish?
Maryam Jillani says
Hi Julie - thank you so much for catching that omission! I added step # 6, you add them right before the yogurt.
Shilpa says
Being intentional in all areas of life is important! Great post, the recipe looks delicious and easy to whip up!
Mehreen Zahra Malik says
This turned out so so well! My father is finally convinced I can cook :p Best ginger chicken recipe around. Must try.
pakistaneats says
Thanks so much Mehreen! <3 <3 <3
Farrah says
Wonderful recipe! I love that you stick to simple ingredients. The dish is fresh and flavorful, my family absolutely loved it! This recipe will definitely become a staple in our house. Thank you for sharing!