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Home » Recipe Index » Pakistani Recipes
4.88 from 8 votes

Weeknight Easy Hara Masala Chicken Recipe

Modified: May 20, 2025 · Published: Sep 23, 2014 by Sarah Mir

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This Haray Masalay ki Murghi is a bold, flavorful green chicken curry made with cilantro, green chilies & spices - ready in under 45 minutes. Bonus: your blender does most of the work!

Hara Masala Chicken in a dish with onions and a sliced chili

We all love a good Karahi Chicken, but sometimes you want a change from the usual or maybe you are out of tomatoes and need to figure something out. Whatever the reason, this Haryali Chicken made with a blender green masala, hits the spot. I love it with some fresh roti but it is also so good in a wrap with some crunchy onions!

Haryali Chicken Ingredients and a note on Heat

top down view of ingredients for Hara Masala Chicken or green masala chicken

The ingredients for this herby chicken are straightforward, but I want to take a minute to highlight one and the lack of one.

Chilies: Everyone's personal preference varies, for Pakistani chilies (in the picture) that tend to be milder I am happy to use ⅘, but for thai 4 is my max. As the chilies cook they tend to lose their assertiveness so if you want a milder curry you can use 2 to good effect!

Mint: Many hara masala chicken recipes use mint. While it's freshness is lovely, I don't feel like it's needed here or missed when I don't use it.

hara masala chicken with roti and onions, serving dish of haryali chicken in background

Must Know Tips for the BEST Green Chicken

This is an incredibly easy dish to make, but here are three things that'll make sure yours is a total winner!

1.) Wash your cilantro WELL: no grit left behind!

2.) If you have fresh ginger and garlic throw that in the blender for the best flavour

3.) Always adjust the consistency BEFORE adjusting seasoning!

Quick visuals below, detailed recipe in the recipe card!

blending the green paste for hara masala chicken
marinating the chicken for hara masala chicken
onions being sauteed in a wok for hara masala chicken
sauteing hara masala chicken till it changes colour
Hara masala chickne simmering
hara masala chicken on a plate onions and roti, person making a bite

What to Serve with Hara Masala Chicken

Menu Idea 1

  • Hara Masala Chicken
  • Chana Pulao
  • Shami Kabab

Menu Idea 2

  • Hara Masala Chicken
  • Bhindi Masala
  • Aloo Palak

Made this chicken? Would love to hear what you think in the comments section!

Hara Masala Chicken in a dish with onions and a sliced chili
Print Recipe
4.88 from 8 votes

Weeknight Easy Hara Masala Chicken or Haryali Chicken

This Haray Masalay ki Murghi is a bold, flavorful green chicken curry made with cilantro, green chilies & spices - ready in under 45 minutes. Bonus: your blender does most of the work!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time33 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Pakistani
Servings: 4
Author: Sarah Mir

Ingredients

  • 1 lb boneless chicken cubed (450g) use 1.5 lb (680g) if using bone in
  • 1 medium onion 75-90 g
  • neutral oil for cooking

Marinade

  • 1  bunch of cilantro 65-70 g
  • 4 green chillies
  • 1 inch ginger ¾ tbsp ginger paste
  • 6-8 cloves garlic 1 tbsp garlic paste
  • 4 tbsp plain yogurt approx 55g
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • ½ tsp cumin powder
  • ½ tsp red chilli powder

Instructions

  • Combine all the marinade ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth
    blending the green paste for hara masala chicken
  • Pour over your chicken, you can marinate it for 30 minutes up to overnight or just combine and continue with next steps
    marinating the chicken for hara masala chicken
  • Put a wok or large bottomed pan (quicker to cook than in a small one) on medium heat and add in a few tbsp of oil. 
  • While that's heating dice your onions and add saute till the onions edges turn golden.
    onions being sauteed in a wok for hara masala chicken
  • Stir in your chicken, sautéing on medium high heat till it changes colour.
    sauteing hara masala chicken till it changes colour
  • Cover, simmer till tender - 25 minutes.
    Hara masala chickne simmering
  • Adjust consistency, check for seasoning, garnish with some fresh ginger or fresh chillies - or nothing at all - grab some roti or rice and dig in.

Notes

  • This recipe has seen an update on Jan 6th 2025:  I doubled the yoghurt to create more of a masala and added the green masala directly to the chicken instead of adding it to the pan after sauteing the chicken. 
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @flourandspiceblog or tag #flourandspiceblog!

More Pakistani Recipes

  • suji ka halwa, soft one pot version on a plate with a dish of chana and aloo poori in the background
    Speedy Sooji ka Halwa: One Pot Recipe
  • One-Pot Moti Pulao or Kofta Pulao
  • a plate of samosas and chutney on a tray with shami kabab and chai in the background
    Juicy Crispy Keema Samosas - Fried & Air Fried
  • a plate of shami kabab with onions, a green raita/chutney and cilantro in a jar in the background
    Easy Boneless Chicken Shami Kabab - Instant Pot & Stove Top

Comments

    4.88 from 8 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Maha says

    January 01, 2021 at 6:47 pm

    So yummy and so easy. I heart cilantro.

    Reply
    • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

      January 06, 2021 at 6:05 pm

      SAME!!! It is the BEST and I am so glad you liked this recipe!

      Reply
  2. Sanaa says

    December 11, 2020 at 10:41 pm

    This was sooooooo good! Thank you!

    Reply
  3. J says

    October 07, 2019 at 5:01 am

    Next time you make this(or imagine you are making this) can you measure the cilantro and tell us how much is cilantro in grams? And we have to blend the stems also, right? It would be really helpful. Thank you.

    Reply
    • sarahjmir@gmail.com says

      October 07, 2019 at 8:52 pm

      I will do that for sure! thanks for the suggestion 🙂

      Reply
  4. s says

    June 01, 2015 at 12:29 pm

    how much is a bunch of cilantro?! 🙂

    Reply
    • sarahjmir says

      June 01, 2015 at 8:02 pm

      hmm mine are usually pretty big - so I would say around 2 cups chopped, unwashed. Once you wash it then it'll be less. hope this turns out well!

      Reply
  5. Salma says

    October 09, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    Congrats on being featured on Instagram! And that looks good, I'm definitely pinning it. How do you think it would taste without chillies, because my kids can't handle too much spiciness yet?

    Reply
    • sarahjmir says

      October 09, 2014 at 7:40 pm

      Hmmm good question, I'd throw in one maybe - deseed? The good thing is you can always taste the green paste after you blend it and adjust it

      Reply
  6. MyNinjaNaan says

    October 05, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    First off, congrats! I'm so happy and proud for you 🙂
    So I made this and we loved it! I love the flavor of cilantro so this was a hit at home 🙂

    Reply
    • sarahjmir says

      October 09, 2014 at 12:44 pm

      Yay yay yay!!!!

      Reply
  7. Teresa Blackburn says

    September 30, 2014 at 9:17 pm

    Such an interesting recipe you have here. I love the colors and it looks rather easy to do. It is always a treat to learn about new foods.....I am clapping!

    Reply
  8. Carrie says

    September 24, 2014 at 9:21 am

    Oh congrats! Will definitely follow you on instagram for lovely yummy pics. This looks so fresh and green 🙂

    Reply
    • sarahjmir says

      September 24, 2014 at 11:41 am

      Thanks Carrie! And please do!

      Reply
  9. Driving Ms.Desi says

    September 24, 2014 at 12:43 am

    I made it! quickest prep ever and so delicious. omar enjoyed it very much as well. oh but didnt have any plain yoghurt so you won't believe what I substituted...err honey flavored greek yoghurt! haha but it still turned out yum. so thanks!

    Reply
    • sarahjmir says

      September 24, 2014 at 6:59 am

      that's awesome!!!!! who knew honey flavored greek yogurt would work!

      Reply
  10. blahnikbaker says

    September 23, 2014 at 6:22 pm

    I always have cilantro on hand...kinda obsessed so this chicken is perfect!!

    Reply
    • sarahjmir says

      September 23, 2014 at 7:28 pm

      aaah another kindred spirit! blows my mind that there are people out there who don't like cilantro!

      Reply
      • Kamlesh says

        January 07, 2025 at 1:43 am

        Unfortunately there a host of people with a genetic variant that makes cilantro taste soapy. But I am not giving up on cilantro ☺️
        Perfect recipe for tomorrow. Was looking for a change. Seems pretty easy to make.

        Reply
        • Sarah Mir says

          January 08, 2025 at 8:43 am

          I am SUCH a cilantro fan that I almost don't get that... except for the fact that I don't like how parsley tastes and everyone seems to love it! Hope you try this dish and like it!

          Reply
  11. Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says

    September 23, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    What a lovely masala base!

    Reply
    • sarahjmir says

      September 23, 2014 at 4:22 pm

      Thanks Anjana!

      Reply
  12. Sadaf says

    September 23, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    Loving every little bit of it! x

    Reply
    • sarahjmir says

      September 23, 2014 at 2:53 pm

      Thank you thank you!!!

      Reply
  13. Aruna Panangipally says

    September 23, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    Do you think I could try paneer in this masala?

    Reply
    • sarahjmir says

      September 23, 2014 at 2:53 pm

      Aruna as I was cooking this I was thinking the same thing - I would probably cook the paste first and then add the paneer but you're the expert so I will take your lead if you make it 🙂

      Reply
      • Aruna Panangipally says

        September 23, 2014 at 7:57 pm

        Let me give it a whirl.... That would be in November sometime. October is going to be a whirlwind of travel.

        Reply
  14. spiceinthecity says

    September 23, 2014 at 11:57 am

    This looks amah-zing!! 😀

    Reply
    • sarahjmir says

      September 23, 2014 at 2:54 pm

      thank you very much 🙂

      Reply
  15. Driving Ms.Desi says

    September 23, 2014 at 11:20 am

    yum perfect timing...I have chicken and cilantro and was wondering what to make. thanks!!

    Reply
    • sarahjmir says

      September 23, 2014 at 2:54 pm

      It is a sign. just so you're warned Ali wasn't a fan. J, Mummy and I really liked it though 🙂

      Reply
Newer Comments »

Hi, I'm Sarah! Welcome to Flour & Spice, the foodie world of a Pakistani origin Canadian mama of two whose busy life and love for food means practicality reigns supreme! I love baking (duh!), my readers (extra duh!), reading, coffee, singing loudly slightly off key, and aprons.

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