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Chicken Handi – A Creamy and Delicious Chicken Curry Cooked in a Clay Pot

If you love traditional South Asian food, you’ve likely heard of Handi. This rich, creamy chicken curry has a delightful aroma and a luxurious texture. It gains its unique flavor from cooking in a handi, a traditional clay pot. Whether at a lavish dinner or a weekend treat, Handi delights food lovers everywhere.

In this article, we’ll cover the history, flavor profile, and a step-by-step recipe for Handi. You’ll learn how to recreate this restaurant-style dish at home.

What Is Chicken Handi?

“Handi” is a round-bottomed cooking pot made from clay or copper, common in Indian and Pakistani kitchens. Cooking curry in this pot gives it an earthy aroma and deep flavor.

Handi features boneless or bone-in chicken, spices, tomatoes, cream, and yogurt. Slow-cooking in a clay pot concentrates the flavors, creating a rich dish that pairs beautifully with naan, roti, or basmati rice.

The Origin of Chicken Handi

Handi has roots in Mughlai cuisine, known for its rich use of cream, nuts, and spices. It became popular in Pakistani and North Indian cuisines, where clay pot cooking is a long-standing tradition.

Today, Chicken Handi is a staple in many South Asian restaurants, often with regional twists. Some versions are mild and creamy, while others are spicy and bold. Regardless of the variation, the dish remains rich in flavor and satisfying.

Key Ingredients in Chicken Handi

To master Handi, understand these key ingredients:

• Chicken: Cut into small pieces; both boneless and bone-in work well.
• Yogurt: Adds tangy richness and tenderizes the chicken.
• Fresh Cream: Gives the dish its signature creaminess.
• Tomatoes: Provide a slightly acidic base to balance richness.
• Ginger & Garlic Paste: Essential for depth of flavor.
• Green Chilies: Add mild heat and freshness.
• Garam Masala & Ground Spices: Include cumin, coriander, turmeric, and red chili powder.
• Fresh Coriander & Ginger Juliennes: Garnishes for a fresh finish.
• Clay Pot (Handi): Adds an earthy flavor that metal cookware can’t match.

How Cooking in a Clay Pot Enhances Flavor

Clay pots distribute heat evenly and are porous. This allows the chicken to cook gently in its juices, locking in moisture and flavor. The earthy aroma from the pot adds authenticity to the dish. If you don’t have a clay pot, use a regular pan, but the flavor won’t be quite the same.

Step-by-Step Chicken Handi Recipe

Here’s a simple Chicken Handi recipe to try at home:

Ingredients:

• 500g chicken (boneless or bone-in)
• 2 medium onions (finely chopped)
• 2 medium tomatoes (blended or chopped)
• 1/2 cup yogurt (whisked)
• 1/2 cup fresh cream
• 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 green chilies (slit)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• Salt to taste
• 4 tbsp oil or ghee
• Fresh coriander leaves (for garnish)
• Ginger juliennes (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Heat the Clay Pot: Preheat your clay pot on low heat to prevent cracking and allow even cooking.
2. Sauté Onions: Add oil or ghee to the handi. Sauté chopped onions until golden brown.
3. Add Ginger-Garlic Paste: Stir in the ginger-garlic paste. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the raw smell disappears.
4. Add Tomatoes & Spices: Add blended tomatoes, turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder. Cook until oil separates from the masala (7–10 minutes).
5. Cook the Chicken: Add chicken pieces and stir to coat them with the masala. Cook for about 10–12 minutes until seared.
6. Incorporate Yogurt: Lower the heat and gradually add whisked yogurt. Stir continuously to avoid curdling. Cook for another 10 minutes.
7. Add Cream & Green Chilies: Mix in fresh cream and green chilies. Let the curry simmer for 5–7 minutes until it thickens.
8. Final Touches: Sprinkle garam masala and garnish with chopped coriander and ginger juliennes.
9. Serve Hot: Serve Chicken Handi hot with naan, paratha, or steamed basmati rice.

Tips for the Perfect Chicken Handi

• Clay Pot Care: If using a clay pot first time, soak it in water for several hours. Avoid drastic temperature changes to prevent cracking.
• Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh cream, yogurt, and spices make a big difference.
• Don’t Rush the Cooking: Slow cooking enhances flavor depth.
• Adjust Spice Levels: Customize chili and spice levels to your taste.

Variations of Chicken Handi

You can adapt Chicken Handi in several ways:

• Butter Chicken Handi: Adds more butter and a touch of honey for sweetness.
• White Chicken Handi: Made without tomatoes or red chili, focusing on cream, yogurt, and white pepper.
• Spicy Chicken Handi: Extra green chilies and garam masala for a bolder flavor.

Nutritional Information (Approx. per Serving)

• Calories: 420 kcal
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 10g

Chicken Handi is rich due to cream and oil but balances well with whole wheat naan or fresh salad.

Why You’ll Love Chicken Handi

• Rich and Creamy: Each bite melts in your mouth.
• Full of Flavor: Spices balance beautifully with the curry’s creaminess.
• Comfort Food: Perfect for a cozy dinner or festive meal.
• Impressive Yet Easy: Great for impressing guests with minimal effort.

Menu By Rana Usman