Chicken Bharta|Dhaba Style

Chicken Bharta|Dhaba Style

One of my favourite Chicken Recipes is this Chicken Bharta|Dhaba Style. Punjabi food has become ubiquitous throughout India and worldwide. Whether it is Chicken tikkas, butter chicken, naan, roti, dal tadka and Dal Makhani is the most preferred in gourmet restaurants or highway dhabas.

What are Dhabas?

Dhabas are this rustic roadside (highway truck stop) diners in India that are open 24/7. They typically serve simplistic eggs and lentil based dishes but some serve heavily spiced tandoori cuisine and these dhabas are well-known for their energetic music and economical food.

What is Chicken Bharta|Dhaba Style?

Chicken Bharta which tastes delightful is a dhaba style dish wherein shredded chicken is cooked in a spicy gravy. Chicken Bharta is mouth-wateringly creamy in taste due to the use of butter, fresh cream and yoghurt in it.

 A good soft chicken bharta not only needs boneless meat but it should be cooked till very soft. This boneless chicken pieces in a creamy, onion and spice based gravy and garnished with chopped coriander leaves is a finger-licking spicy curry.

Serve Chicken Bharta|Dhaba Style along with Garlic Naan, Roti, and Rice and onion salad with a lemon wedge.

If you are looking for more Punjabi dishes then check out Boneless Tariwala Chicken and with bones Punjabi Chicken Curry.

Ingredients for Chicken Bharta|Dhaba Style:

500 gms Boneless chicken

2 Onions Chopped

1 large Tomato puree

2 cloves, 2 cardamoms, cinnamon stick, bay leaf

2 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste

1/2 tsp Cumin powder

½ tsp Red chilli powder

¼ tsp Turmeric powder

1 tbsp kasuri methi

½ tsp cumin powder

2tbsp Fresh cream

2tbsp Plain yogurt

Salt according to taste

1 tsp Sugar 15

¼ tsp Black pepper powder

1 tsp Garam masala powder

1 tsp Lemon juice

1 tbsp Butter

 2 tbsp oil

Method

First of all, mix the boneless chicken with ¼ tsp salt, 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste, ¼ tsp black pepper powder, and lemon juice. Set aside this marinated chicken for one hour.

After one hour boil the chicken with 4 cups water and 1 tbsp oil.

When it is boiling cover it for 10 min on medium flame and once the chicken is done, remove the chicken from the broth and set aside

Shred the chicken once it cools down.

In a bowl add ½ tsp cumin powder, ¼ tsp red chilli powder, and ¼ tsp turmeric powder. Add chicken stock and make a smooth paste.

Now heat the pan and add the oil. Add the cloves, cardamom, cinnamon till fragrant.

Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté. Now add the finely chopped onions. Sauté till nice and golden.

Add the mixed masala paste, salt to taste, ¼ tsp sugar, ¼ tsp garam masala powder, and tomato purees. Fry till the oil bubbles on the side.

Add 2 tbsp plain yogurt until the Masala is done nicely.

Add the shredded chicken and rub the fenugreek leaves in your palms and add to the chicken.

Now add 2 cups chicken stock and once it starts boiling cover and cook for another 5 minutes on low flame.

Remove the lid and add 2 tbsp fresh cream. Mix it well.

Finally add ¼ tsp garam masala powder and 1 tbsp. butter.

Turn off the gas and cover the Chicken Bharta|Dhaba Style for 5 minutes.

Serve hot Chicken Bharta|Dhaba Style with roti, paratha, naan, kulcha or steamed rice.