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Creamy Chicken Handi (Restaurant Style)

By Huzi
Creamy Chicken Handi (Restaurant Style)

Serves 4 | Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 25 mins

"A handi is a flavor cauldron – where cream, tomatoes, and spices emulsify into velvet under high heat."

🧂 Ingredients

| Item | Quantity | Key Notes | | ----------------- | --------------- | ----------------------------------------- | | Chicken (boneless)| 750g (cubes) | Thighs for juiciness | | Tomatoes | 4 (puréed) | Ripe + red | | Onion paste | 1 cup | Golden-fried then blended | | Ginger-garlic paste| 1.5 tbsp | Freshly ground | | Heavy cream | 1 cup | 35% fat min. | | Yogurt | ¼ cup | Whisked smooth | | Butter + ghee | 4 tbsp each | Butter for creaminess, ghee for aroma | | Green chilies | 4 (slit) | Adjust heat | | Kasuri methi | 1 tbsp | Crushed (non-negotiable!) | | Spices | | | | › Cumin seeds | 1 tsp | | | › Turmeric | ½ tsp | | | › Red chili powder| 1 tsp | Kashmiri for color | | › Coriander powder| 1.5 tsp | | | › Garam masala | 1 tsp | | | Garnish | | | | › Ginger juliennes| 2 tbsp | | | › Fresh coriander | ¼ cup | | | › Cream drizzle | 2 tbsp | |

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Onion Paste (The Secret)

  1. Fry 2 sliced onions in 2 tbsp ghee until dark golden (12-15 mins).
  2. Blend with 2 tbsp water → smooth paste.

2. Sear Chicken

  1. Heat 2 tbsp ghee → sear chicken on HIGH 3 mins → remove.
  2. ⚠️ Don’t cook through – just seal juices.

3. Build Gravy

  1. Same pot → melt butter + 1 tbsp ghee.
  2. Add cumin → sizzle → ginger-garlic paste → sauté 30 sec.
  3. Add onion paste → fry 3 mins until glossy.
  4. Add tomato purée + all spices → cook 8 mins until oil separates and the masala is a deep crimson.

4. Cream Fusion

  1. Reduce heat → whisk in yogurt → cook 2 mins.
  2. Add chicken + green chilies → simmer 5 mins.
  3. Stir in cream → DO NOT BOIL (cream splits!).

5. Finish Like a Chef

  1. Turn off heat → add:
    • Kasuri methi (crushed between palms).
    • Garam masala.
    • 1 tbsp butter → stir gently.
  2. Rest 5 mins (⚠️ essential for flavors to marry).

🌟 Restaurant Secrets

  • Onion Paste: Dark frying creates a caramel sweetness that balances the tomatoes.
  • Cream Control: Add cream OFF the heat; the residual warmth will thicken it without curdling.
  • Butter Finish: Cold butter stirred in last creates a glossy "lacquer" effect.
  • Handi Advantage: The porous walls of a clay pot concentrate flavors. A heavy-bottomed pan is a good substitute.

🍽️ Serving Ritual

Garnish with:

  • Ginger juliennes
  • Fresh coriander
  • A drizzle of cream
  • Extra kasuri methi

Pair With:

  • Garlic naan or butter roti
  • Lemon wedge + sliced onions
  • Mint raita

"Perfect handi gravy coats the back of a spoon – neither thick nor runny, but a silken cascade."

🔥 Pro Variations

| Style | Twist | | -------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | | Afghani | Add ¼ cup ground cashew paste | | Butter Chicken | Replace cream with ½ cup tomato purée + ½ cup cream | | Spicy | Add 1 tbsp chaat masala | | Murgh Makhani | Stir in 2 tbsp honey + 1 tsp kasuri methi |

Storage Tip: Tastes better the next day! Reheat on low with a splash of milk.

✅ Common Mistakes & Fixes

| Issue | Solution | | ------------- | ---------------------------------------- | | Cream curdled | Temper cream with 2 tbsp gravy first | | Gravy too thin| Simmer uncovered for 5 mins | | Lacks depth | Add 1 tsp kitchen king masala | | Too spicy | Stir in 1 tsp sugar + extra cream |

Bookmark this recipe – your kitchen just earned a 5-star rating! ⭐

Pairing:

  • Drink: Mango lassi
  • Dessert: Gulab jamun