Our guide on the most Popular Indian Food to cook at home or to try on your next trip.
Indian cuisine is known for its rich flavors, diverse ingredients, and vibrant spices. Here’s a detailed guide to making some of the most popular Indian dishes at home, including Butter Chicken, Biryani, Samosa, and Chole Bhature, along with tips and calorie information.
Indian cuisine offers a diverse array of flavors and textures, making it a favorite around the world. These popular dishes—Butter Chicken, Biryani, Samosa, and Chole Bhature—bring the essence of Indian cooking into your home. Enjoy these recipes, and experience the rich culinary heritage of India.
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Most Popular Indian Food
1. Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)
Ingredients:
1 pound boneless chicken, cut into cubes
1 cup yogurt
1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon cumin powder
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup tomato puree
1/2 cup heavy cream
Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
Instructions:
Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, mix yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, cumin, and salt. Add the chicken cubes and marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Heat butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
In the same pan, add the tomato puree and cook for 5-7 minutes until it thickens. Stir in the heavy cream and cook for another 2 minutes.
Combine and Serve
Add the cooked chicken to the sauce and simmer for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with naan or rice.
Calories: Approximately 400 calories per serving
Read here how to make Butter Chicken
2. Biryani
Ingredients:
2 cups basmati rice
1 pound chicken or lamb, cut into pieces
1 cup yogurt
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons biryani masala
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
1/2 cup milk with a pinch of saffron
Fresh mint and coriander leaves, chopped
Salt to taste
Instructions:
Cook the Rice
Rinse the basmati rice and soak for 30 minutes. Cook the rice until 70% done and set aside.
Marinate the Meat
In a bowl, mix yogurt, turmeric, chili powder, and biryani masala. Add the meat and marinate for at least 1 hour.
Cook the Meat
Heat ghee in a pan. Add the sliced onions and cook until golden brown. Add the marinated meat and cook until browned and partially cooked. Add tomatoes and cook until the meat is fully cooked.
Layer the Biryani
In a large pot, layer the partially cooked rice and meat mixture alternately. Drizzle the saffron milk, and sprinkle fresh mint and coriander leaves over the layers. Cover and cook on low heat for 20-25 minutes.
Serve
Fluff the biryani gently with a fork and serve hot with raita or salad.
Calories: Approximately 500 calories per serving
Read here how to make Biryani
3. Samosa
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup ghee or oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
Water (as needed)
2 large potatoes, boiled and mashed
1/2 cup green peas
1 onion, finely chopped
2 green chilies, chopped
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
Salt to taste
Oil for frying
Instructions:
Make the Dough
In a bowl, mix flour, salt, and ghee. Add water gradually and knead into a firm dough. Cover and set aside for 30 minutes.
Prepare the Filling
Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and chopped onions. Cook until golden brown. Add green chilies, mashed potatoes, green peas, coriander powder, garam masala, turmeric, and salt. Mix well and cook for 5-7 minutes.
Assemble the Samosas
Divide the dough into small balls and roll each into a thin oval. Cut into two halves. Fold each half into a cone shape and fill with the potato mixture. Seal the edges with water.
Fry the Samosas
Heat oil in a deep frying pan. Fry the samosas on medium heat until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Serve
Serve hot with chutney or sauce.
Calories: Approximately 150 calories per samosa
Read here how to make Samosa
4. Chole Bhature
For the Chole (Chickpea Curry):
2 cups chickpeas, soaked overnight and cooked
2 large onions, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
2 green chilies, chopped
2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste
2 teaspoons chole masala
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
Salt to taste
Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
For the Bhature (Fried Bread):
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup yogurt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Water (as needed)
Oil for frying
Instructions:
Prepare the Chole
In a large pot, heat oil and add chopped onions. Cook until golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies. Cook for another 2 minutes.
Add chopped tomatoes, chole masala, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Cook until the oil separates from the masala. Add the cooked chickpeas and some of their cooking water. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
Prepare the Bhature
In a bowl, mix flour, yogurt, baking soda, and salt. Add water gradually and knead into a soft dough. Cover and let it rest for 1 hour.
Roll and Fry
Divide the dough into small balls and roll each into a flat disc. Heat oil in a deep frying pan. Fry the bhature until they puff up and turn golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Serve
Serve the hot bhature with chole, along with chopped onions and lemon wedges.
Calories: Approximately 300 calories per serving (1 bhature and a serving of chole)
Read here how to make Chole Bhature
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.