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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Shazieh says
Another finger licking Delicous recipe. I think the first of yours that I tried long ago. The addition of a little soy sauce and ketchup is genius. Adds the prefect, subtle umami.
Sarah Mir says
Thank you Shazieh! I do feel that the recipe is a little lacking without those two!
Ummaima says
Seeing the soy sauce and ketchupin the list I was too sure. But tried it once and I always keep going back to it. Such an easy recipe to put together and it tastes so so good. I lovee it. And so does ny familyy.
Thankyou soo much for such an amazing recipe ❤️
Sarah Mir says
They are definitely unusual ingredients, but the dish would not be the same without them! SO glad you enjoyed it!
Farwah says
This recipe is as close to bbq tonights version of ginger chicken as possible. I remember it being the first dish we ordered whenever we visited bbq tonight. So happy we got to taste the same at home. Though mine turned out to have more gravy than it should have but taste hit the spot!
Afsheen Hameed says
So So good! This has become my go-to ginger chicken recipe.. thank you so much for sharing!
Sarah Mir says
Glad you enjoyed it!!!
Irush @blendoflife says
OMG I just made this!! I love how easy and quick it is and it turned out so sooooo gooood!!! Thank you!! I'm going to be making this a lot more 😀
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
I am SO glad to hear that and thank you for leaving a comment!
Jefrina Charles says
Tried it today. Loved loved loved the flavors.
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
That’s fantastic to hear - thank you!!!
Wasfa says
I was searching for a different type of chicken recipe that is quick and easy; and can’t believe my luck - stumbled upon this! Made it today and it’s amazing. This is going to be my go to chicken recipe from now on.
Can’t wait to explore your blog for more
Ideas.
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
That’s absolutely fantastic to hear! Thank you!!!!
Amna says
Made this and omg it was delicious! This dish was so quick and easy to make, the whole family loved it. Thank you for your delicious recipes Sarah!!
Maria says
I made this today and it turned out UH MAZING!!!
first time i ever made a pakistani dish....
And it was super easy and quick (literally under 45 mins!!!) and turned out sooooo delicious like a dhabay ki boneless handi!!!
only thing I missed was the coriander powder since it is mentioned in the ingredients but i couldnt find when to put it in the instructions.
anyway even without it it was superb!!!
THANK YOU!!!!
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
I am SO SO vey happy to hear that and I will just double check!
Mithra says
Worked out lovely, didn’t put in the 1/4 cup oil though! Thought that was a bit too much. Put in a tablespoon. The kids loved the dish. Thanks!
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
I am so glad it worked for you and less oil is even better!
Mithra says
Sorry it goes in later, my mistake
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
No worries!
Mithra says
In the recipe you never mentioned adding oil or butter
Muniba says
I’m sure you already know this but this recipe is amazing! even an amateur like me is now capable of making a decent meal. Thank you 🙂
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Muniba thank you thank you thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to leave this comment!
Anita says
Hi- Can I substitute crushed or diced canned tomatoes? if so how much
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Hi Anita! You could, but I do think fresh work best here. If you do I would go with crushed over diced and about 3/4-1 cup worth. Hope it works well for you!
Sara says
12/10 for this recipe! easy, delicious and quick!