This EASY four step Chicken Ginger that was my first recipe to go viral has two unusual ingredients that create the most irresistible masala! Try it for yourself and see why so many people are still making it all the time!
I am not one to brag, but Pakistani Chicken Recipes are kinda my thing. Chicken is a crowd pleasing protein, cooks quickly and with the right techniques and spices it is SO flavorful. Dishes like this Chicken Pulao or this Instant Pot Chicken Dal Gosht and this Chicken Ginger have saved me on many busy nights. I am a mother of two girls with very busy schedules so busy nights are kinda the norm around here.
What is Chicken Ginger?
Before anything let's make one thing clear:
If you put julienned ginger on your Chicken Karahi, it is still Chicken Karahi. Chicken Ginger is assertively ginger-y, has a generous amount of pepper, and a gravy that is richer and more assertive than the cleaner tasting Karahi Chicken or the onion based Chicken Masala.
Usmania's Chicken Ginger
This recipe for Chicken Ginger comes to me from a scanned newspaper clipping I found on the web a long time ago. It claims to be a copycat of the famous Chicken Ginger from Usmania which is one of Karachi's older family restaurants. Whenever our family went - usually with a large group of people - this Chicken Ginger is what everyone reached for first.
I have not been to Usmania in a long time now, but I still think fondly of those happy times. Companionable laughter in the background as I scoop up the chicken ginger with some hot naan straight into my mouth and relish the pungent taste of the fiery tomato based masala. This recipe brings back all those feelings and for that I will continue to make it over and over again.
Odd Ingredients Make this Dish
Some of the ingredients, namely the soy sauce and ketchup, are admittedly a little odd. However when I skip them this dish seems incomplete so please try not to. Also please note that when I say tablespoon of ketchup, I mean AN ACTUAL TBSP!
If you use a heaping amount of the spoon you use for eating or serving food you will end up with too much. Don't feel like busting out the measuring spoons? Start with the teaspoon in your kitchen drawer, the kind you use for stirring your tea/coffee and add more if needed.
Step By Step Chicken Ginger Recipe
This is such a simple recipe that I am a little embarrassed to have made this Step by Step graphic, but let's break it down anyway shall we?
Remember: if you don't want your yoghurt to split then whip your yoghurt and put it near the stove before you start cooking. It is the temperature differential that makes your yoghurt split so add a little masala into your yoghurt, mix it well to make the yoghurt warmer, and then slowly stir it all into the chicken ginger.
What goes with Chicken Ginger?
I got you.
More Weeknight Chicken
Like I said no boring chicken here!
Made this recipe? Don't forget to rate it by clicking on the ratings below and tagging me in your delicious creations on instagram! You can find me @flourandspiceblog 🙂
Chicken Ginger
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken use more for bone in
- 3-4 Tomatoes chopped
- 1 heaped tsp ginger paste
- 1 heaped tsp garlic paste
- 1 heaped tsp red chilli powder
- ¾ - 1 tsp salt start w ¾
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp Turmeric
- ½ tsp Coriander Powder
- ½ tsp Soy Sauce
- ¼ cup oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3-4 sliced Green Chillies
- ¼ cup julienned ginger - approx 2 inch piece
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- ½ tsp Garam Masala
- ⅓ cup yogurt
- Cilantro for garnish optional
Instructions
- Slice your chicken into 1 inch strips and set aside
- Now whisk your yogurt and leave it out near the stove to come to room temperature.
- Put a wok on high heat
- Add your chicken, ginger paste, garlic paste, and tomatoes to the pan
- Cook until the water dries up and the chicken is cooked through
- Then add the soy sauce, salt, red chillies, black pepper, coriander powder, turmeric, butter, and oil
- Cook until the masala turns out a bright red hue and the oil rises above it.
- Now gently mix in the yoghurt, green chillies, ketchup, chopped ginger (reserving some for garnish) and garam masala.
- Reduce the heat to low and cook covered for 3-5 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve with hot naan or roti
Video
Notes
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Hina says
Just tried this! too yummy and so simple. loved it. it's moving to my weekly menu now 🙂
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Thank you Hina! That is awesome to hear!
Preeti says
This is such a delicious recipe! I’ve made it twice now and both times the pot is locked clean (literally)!
Thanks for sharing!
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Now THAT'S definitely sign of success! Thank you for sharing!
Zahra B says
Made this for the 10000th time the other day, this time for my family and they all loved it just as much as I do!
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
That's so so awesome Zahra! Glad you like it and thank you for sharing this!
Nash says
Oh my goodness!!! Just tried your recipe and I am in LOVE!!! Was a hit with the fam too. Thanks for sharing Sarah!
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
yay!!! Thats fantastic news!!!!
Tanzeela says
Hey..which ketchup do u use? Can I use Heinz or do I need to get it from a desi store?
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Any ketchup works! Happy cooking!
Bushra says
Amazing!!!!!! Loved it! Thank you for sharing!
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
excellent!!! THANK YOU for trying it!
Reema says
Looks delicious and sooo easy... i love cooking with boneless chicken. Definitely making this tomorrow (leftovers tonight) 🤭😂
Amir says
Just made this. It was both simple and delicious!
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Yay!!!!!
Sumaiyah says
Do you use chicken breast or boneless thigh for this recipe?
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Hi Sumaiyah! I usually use chicken breast, but you can use boneless thigh too, it definitely is more moist! DO let me know how it turns out!
sana says
My husband and I enjoyed it a lot. Thanks for the recipe. I have a question, do you know any tips for perfect cooked chicken sometimes, chicken gets hard and rubbery. Do you have any tips to get juicy and tender chicken? Thanks
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Sana that is great to hear! thanks for letting me know. Generally chicken gets rubbery when we overcook it - so I would suggest watching your cook time closely. When I do overcook it the I tend to add water and simmer it on low for another fifteen-twenty minutes. It does change the masala if it is a dry dish but at least my chicken is edible then! Hope this helps 🙂
Mariam says
Scrumptious! We enjoyed it a lot. Many thanks dear.
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
That is fantastic to hear! Thanks for trying it out!
Lala Rukh says
Recipe looks so yummy ! I made it too but with slight variations.... results were amazing !
sarahjmir says
awesome!!! I am doing my happy dance... good thing you can't see it, it's pretty dorky lol 🙂
Lubna Karim says
This sounds quite droolicious to me....the zing from ginger and taste of chicken....wow.....Will try this soon....
Better late than never....Thank you for participating in Global Ramadan Event - Joy From Fasting To Feasting - VII.....
sarahjmir says
My pleasure Lubna, thanks for stopping by!
dedy oktavianus pardede says
Lovely dish !!!
my Indonesian licking really love any spicy food like this chicken ginger
i really craving over it not.....
Teresa Blackburn says
You are singing my culinary song with all that fresh ginger! This is so tasty looking and I thank you and wish you a late, but better late than never, Independence Day.