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.
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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Sana says
This has to be easiest and yummiest ginger chicken recipe, it has become a family favorite, my little one asks me to make this almost every week.
Sarah Mir says
you know that is just the BEST thing to hear - thank you!
pk says
Just made it today!
Looks yummy and tastes great.
I trippled the recipe for my family and followed it to the letter (unusual for me😃)
I cook a lot of Pakistani recipes so this was not some revolutionary recipe but it had just a little something extra to make it stand out. It's a keeper.
Thank you.
Sarah Mir says
Yay! That is fantastic to hear! Thank you so much!
Afsheen says
What a great recipe! It is so hard for me to make something that every one in my family enjoys, and this was it! It is on repeat at this household! Even my husband makes this using your recipe! Thank you so much for sharing it!
Sarah Mir says
That is absolutely fantastic to hear Afsheen! Thank you to him and you!
AH says
This looks so great!! But I have a quick question - you don't put any oil at the beginning?? Just the chicken with tomatoes and garlic/ginger?? Thanks in advance for the clarification.
Sarah Mir says
That's absolutely correct!
Mareeha Ahmad says
This is my favourite go to chicken ginger recipe!!It is so delicious-was a bit skeptical about the ketchup at first, but don't skip this step! So worth it.
Sarah Mir says
Aww thanks Mareeha!!!!
Hajira Khan says
So delicious…this has made it to our weekly rotation
Sarah Mir says
Literally no bigger compliment than that! Thank you Hajira!
Areeba says
Really good and flavourful and easy to make
Sarah Mir says
that is wonderful to hear! thank you!
Manezhe says
Amazing recipe! Been making it for years and we all love it.
Delicious and super quick!
Made it day before yesterday as well.
Sarah Mir says
Thank you SO much Manezhe! Appreciate this so much!
Ami says
Excited to make this! As I read the instructions I’m wondering- you cook the chicken without oil and add oil later???
Sarah Mir says
That is correct!
Ami says
Thank you! I made it before seeing your reply and I used oil, it still turned out great!! Will try without it next time 🙂
Sarah Mir says
Thanks for letting me know!!!!
Haniya says
A repeat recipe in our house ! Thank you for always sharing trustworthy recipes.
Sarah Mir says
wow! thank you Haniya!
Kay says
My go to quick and easy recipe that turns out amazingly well! Have made this multiple times now. Bonus is that my family loves ginger.
Sarah Mir says
Thank you so much for leaving this review! glad your family enjoys it!
Shehar Bano says
An absolutely delicious recipe and super easy too! Turned out so good. Definitely adding it to my next dawat menu. MUST try!
Sarah Mir says
I am HONOURED that you enjoyed it! This review means so so much!